Douarnenez

Visit Douarnenez, Brittany

Douarnenez is found in the Douarnenez Bay, in the Finistere department north-west of Quimper. It is a workaday town with an active sardine fishing and canning industry.

As with many Brittany coastal towns tourism is coming to play a larger part in the town as the fishing industry declines, and not surprising, because this port town has much to commend it, not least the harbour area and the easy access to beaches.

Exploring Douarnenez

The town itself is pleasant, mostly 18th century houses built around the flourishing fishing industry. The most picturesque parts of Douarnenez are found along the coast including the fishing port and pleasure port. There are also several churches and chapels of interest in the town itself.

The Port Museum is well worth visiting to see its collection of old ships and boats, many meticulously restored to their former glory. You can't miss it - it takes up half the harbour around Port-Rhu and is a fascinating place to visit.

The neighbouring sector of Tréboul to the west contains a modern marina and a popular spa centre, and is the more recently developed part of Douarnenez.

There are several beaches close to Douarnenez, including the small beaches called Plage des Dames and Plage Saint Jean near the centre of the town and the larger beaches called Plage des Sables Blancs and Plage du Ris very close (these two larger beaches have lifeguards during the summer season).

Attractions nearby

Just off the coast of Douarnenez is the Ile Tristan, with stories that both the island and town are linked to the original story of Tristan and Isolde. The island can be visited on foot during low tide and is an attractive mix of natural environments, woodlands, parks and an exotic garden.

There are also some nice walks along the coast around Douarnenez and it is possible to take a boat trip around the harbour for a different view of the town.

A few kilometres east of here be sure to also visit the picturesque village at Locronan.

Tourist classifications for Douarnenez: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 1*;

Suggested places to visit near Douarnenez, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Quimper 20km; Crozon 21km; Armorique Regional Park 25km; Le Faou 25km; Camaret 28km; Benodet 30km; Ile-de-Sein 31km; Concarneau 40km; Landerneau 40km; Le Conquet 44km; Ile Glenan 49km; Ile Molene and Ouessant 57km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Douarnenez

Douarnenez tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Menez-Hom - site of natural beauty (16km) : Jardin du château de Lanniron - remarkable garden (20km) : Jardin du prieuré de Locmaria - remarkable garden (20km) : Parc botanique de Cornouaille - remarkable garden (26km) : Baie de Douarnenez - site of natural beauty (28km) : Pointe de Penhir - site of natural beauty (28km) : Pointe du Raz - grand site of france (31km) : Marais de Mousterlin - site of natural beauty (35km) :

French version: see Douarnenez (Francais)