The wide beaches of Quiberon in Brittany

Quiberon – Introduction

Quiberon in Brittany is a peninsula, or as the French would say, an “almost island“. It is known in France as a great place to unwind on the wide sandy beaches, dunes and walk or cycle the many hiking paths. The area must have been very popular for 1000’s of years since human remains have been found there dating back 5000 years BC!

The area is not only known by the French as a great summer holiday place, but also for its sardine industry.

But the most import parts of Quiberon are indeed its vast, enormous sandy beaches and their long dunes:

Large sandy beaches and dunes of Quiberon, Brittany
Large sandy beaches and dunes of Quiberon, Brittany

All along the Quiberon area, but specially at the Southernmost point, you will find many dunes, forests and rock formations with a plentitude of hiking paths.

Photo 1Map
Hiking path in the dunes of Quiberon in BrittanyHiking path in the dunes of Quiberon in Brittany

Walking along the coast line, which is easy since it’s pretty flat and well maintained, you will see all sorts of structures;

CastleBunkerBoatShellfishingBuoy
House in form of a castle along the coast of Quiberon, BrittanyHouse in form of a castle along the coast of Quiberon, Brittany
German WWII bunker along the coast of Quiberon, BrittanyGerman WWII bunker along the coast of Quiberon, Brittany
Lighthouse and buoy service boat at the South of Quiberon, BrittanyLighthouse and buoy service boat at the South of Quiberon, Brittany
Looking for shellfish at the South of Quiberon, BrittanyLooking for shellfish at the South of Quiberon, Brittany
Waves hitting a buoy at the South of Quiberon, BrittanyWaves hitting a buoy at the South of Quiberon, Brittany

Lighthouse Phare de la Teignouse

Big lighthouse in the distance at the South of Quiberon, Brittany
Big lighthouse in the distance at the South of Quiberon, Brittany

The lighthouse was built in 1843. Since 1983 the lighthouse is unmanned.

Beaches

There are several beaches in the Quiberon area, some alongside the harbours and towns, some in the dune areas in the South.

Photo 1Grande PlageBouyPhoto 4Porigo
Sandy beach and entrance to Maria Port in Quiberon, BrittanySandy beach and entrance to Maria Port in Quiberon, Brittany
Sandy beach, known as La Grande Plage, in Quiberon, BrittanySandy beach, known as La Grande Plage, in Quiberon, Brittany
Bouy on the sandy beach, known as La Grande Plage, in Quiberon, BrittanyBouy on the sandy beach, known as La Grande Plage, in Quiberon, Brittany
The beach alongside Quiberon, BrittanyThe beach alongside Quiberon, Brittany
Plage du Porigo beach and a monument from a war in 1795 in Quiberon, BrittanyPlage du Porigo beach and a monument from a war in 1795 in Quiberon, Brittany

Resort Hotels

The Quiberon area is very much a tourist destination, and therefore you will see several resort hotels, but also camping grounds spread around the area.

Some of them luxurious, some of them not so (our favorite was the Sofitel Quiberon Thalassa Sea & Spa hotel with its enormous outside spa).

SofitelEuropa
Sofitel Quiberon Thalassa Sea & Spa hotel in QuiberonSofitel Quiberon Thalassa Sea & Spa hotel in Quiberon
Hotel Restaurant Europa QuiberonHotel Restaurant Europa Quiberon

Port Haliguen and Maria

There are two (small) harbours in Quiberon. The smallest is Port Haliguen, while the bigger Port Maria has a ferry service to the closeby lying islands.

MarinaPort entranceStatueFerryMap
Port Haliguen at Quiberon and its pleasure boats marinaPort Haliguen at Quiberon and its pleasure boats marina
Port Haliguen entrance at Quiberon, BrittanyPort Haliguen entrance at Quiberon, Brittany
Fisherman statue looking to the sea at Port Haliguen in Quiberon, BrittanyFisherman statue looking to the sea at Port Haliguen in Quiberon, Brittany
Ferry arriving at Port Maria in Quiberon, BrittanyFerry arriving at Port Maria in Quiberon, Brittany

Lighthouse of Port Haliguen

Lighthouse at Port Haliguen in Quiberon, Brittany
Lighthouse at Port Haliguen in Quiberon, Brittany

The 12 meter high lighthouse was built in 1856 using the standard model of lighthouses in small marinas.

Fort Neuf

Walking along the coastline of Quiberon you will most probably encounter this small fort, “Fort Neuf” (Neuf meaning New). It was built early 1700’s and currently it’s a public garden (not landscaped, just wild growth).

ArtilerieGateGatesMap
Artilerie positions in Fort neuf in Quiberon, BrittanyArtilerie positions in Fort neuf in Quiberon, Brittany
Gate of Fort Neuf in Quiberon, BrittanyGate of Fort Neuf in Quiberon, Brittany
Gates of Fort Neuf in Quiberon, BrittanyGates of Fort Neuf in Quiberon, Brittany

Several of these small forts were made to protect the area from invasions.

The Buildings

The buildings in Quiberon are all low, apart from the beach area where you will find some flats. As architecture goes, it’s not earth shattering.

MairieMuseumChurchFlatsCastle
City Hall (Mairie or Hotel de Ville) of Quiberon, BrittanyCity Hall (Mairie or Hotel de Ville) of Quiberon, Brittany
Small museum (local heritage museum) in Quiberon, BrittanySmall museum (local heritage museum) in Quiberon, Brittany
Church in Quiberon, BrittanyChurch in Quiberon, Brittany
Beachside flats in Quiberon, BrittanyBeachside flats in Quiberon, Brittany
Present day castle in Quiberon, BrittanyPresent day castle in Quiberon, Brittany

When walking around the area, you may come across these “things”:

Small, honour based, library in Quiberon, Brittany
Small, honour based, library in Quiberon, Brittany

It’s a small library, honour code based, where you take out a book you want to read, and when done, you put it back. There are a couple of them in the area.

The Village

Quiberon is not very big (some 5,000 inhabitants), so you’ll not see any highrises apart from around the beach area, where you will see some flats.

The village itself has everything you’ll need for a holiday (or to live there), from shops, restaurants and supermarkets.

ShopsRestaurantsRestaurantTerracesTerraces
Shopping street in Quiberon, BrittanyShopping street in Quiberon, Brittany
Restaurants in Quiberon, BrittanyRestaurants in Quiberon, Brittany
Restaurant in Quiberon, BrittanyRestaurant in Quiberon, Brittany
Cafe/Bar terraces in Quiberon, BrittanyCafe/Bar terraces in Quiberon, Brittany
Beachside terraces in Quiberon, BrittanyBeachside terraces in Quiberon, Brittany

Conclusion

Quiberon is not a vacation place you go to for the many activities or things to see. It’s a place to relax and for hiking/cycling. It’s a place to enjoy the nature.

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