Loïc Lagarde

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Top photo spots in Far South Brittany peninsula

The Presqu’île Guérandaise in South Brittany is my homeland! I spent my childhood there and I return there several times a year. So I am very attached to make you discover it!

This region is called “Southern Brittany” because it is located at the extreme south of the Breton peninsula, between the departments of Loire-Atlantique and Morhihan.

It is particularly known for its salt, the salt of Guérande and for its beaches, especially that of La Baule, which would be the largest in Europe.

Carte Presqu ile Guerandaise
Carte Bretagne

The Bay of La Baule

The Bay of La Baule, on the “Côte d’Amour” is known to be the largest beach in Europe (9km).
La Baule is on one side a large facade of a building facing the bay looking like a small Miami but you just have to go a little inland to see beautiful chic houses surrounded by pine trees from the beginning of the last century.

Some interesting pictures to take in La Baule

  • The sunset on the Pornichet side can be spectacular.
  • Horse rides along the beach at the Casino Barrière and the Hermitage.
  • The facades of 1920’s houses in the small streets behind the waterfront 
Baie de La Baule

Guerande

Guerande is first known for its salt but it is also one of the most beautiful medieval cities of France in state.

Guerande is a medieval Breton city par excellence and has an importance in the history of Brittany especially in the Middle Ages (in the fourteenth century) during the wars of succession of Brittany.

The ramparts of Guérande testify moreover of its importance at that time.

To take a picture:

  • The Saint-Michel gate, very impressive and in perfect condition.
  • The Collegiate Church (which is beautifully lit at night)
  • Views of the interior of the city from the ramparts
  • Medieval alleyways offer a great number of photo opportunities
Guérande

Salt Marshes of Guérande

This is surely the emblematic landscape of the Guerande peninsula: the salt marshes. You have to see them before the salt is collected. Summer is a good period. You can see the salt workers collecting salt.

To take a picture:

  • The salt workers collecting the salt (by asking their permission beforehand).
  • The salt marshes are particularly beautiful on the D92 from Saillé to La Turballe.
Marais salants de Guerande

The Brière

It is somewhere the “Everglades Park” of Brittany but without the aligators. We’ll meet coypu on the other hand!

To see in particular:

  • The typical village of Kerhinet with its thatched roofs.
  • Breca with its barges for a walk in the marshes and to take pictures at sunrise.
La Brière

The Croisic

The Croisic is a small fishing port at the end of the Guerandaise peninsula and a small city of character.

It is also the small town where I spent the first years of my life. So I have my roots there and obviously a very particular affection.

To take a picture:

  • The port seen from its parking lot
  • The city seen from the Mont Saint-Esprit (next to the train station)
  • The alleys inside with the view of the church in the background.
Port du Croisic en Bretagne Sud

Piriac-sur-Mer

Following the example of Croisic, Piriac-sur-Mer is also a small city of Breton character at the end of the Presqu’ile Guerandaise. Piriac definitely has the smell of Brittany with its small port and its wild beach and its creperies.

To take a picture:

  • The view of the port and the city at the end of the pier.
  • The alleys inside the city
Piriac-sur-Mer

Batz-sur-Mer

Batz-sur-Mer is located between the Baie de la Baule, the peninsula of Croisic and the Salt Marshes of Guérande. Moreover the salt marshes of Guérande are mostly part of the commune of Batz-sur-Mer!

Batz-sur-Mer distinguishes itself by its wild coast and its authentic and preserved appearance (as opposed to La Baule). Its small town has a magnificent church: Saint Guenolé.

To take a picture of it:

  • The church of Saint Guenolé
  • The beach Saint Michel
Piriac-sur-Mer

Penestin

Penestin, at the mouth of the Vilaine River and the gateway to Morbihan in Southern Brittany, is a unique seaside resort with a long ochre cliff called “la Mine d’Or”. There is also an air of Australia with the twelve apostles. 

Penestin is also the land of my ancestors and in particular of my great-grandfather Lucien Mazan dit Petit Breton, double winner of the Tour de France in 1907 and 1908.

To take a picture:

  • The cliffs of the Gold Mine
Penestin

La Bretesche

La Bretesche is a castle in Brière at the limit of Morbihan which is today privately owned and is part of a domain with a golf course and a beautiful Relais & Châteaux hotel.

This castle inspires me a lot and therefore deserves to be mentioned in my article!

To take a picture of it:

  • The castle of the Bretesche from the entrance of the domain but also around its lake.
La Bretesche