4 seaside spots to (re)discover out of season

In winter, the seaside doesn’t take a break. It simply changes character. The air is crisper, the scenery more open and the sensations stronger. You get out to walk, breathe and clear your head. The beaches become more spacious. The salt marshes offer a different face, rougher and quieter. Out of season, these four iodised spots become the perfect playgrounds for getting fresh air and rediscovering the coastline in a different way.

1. La Baule : the calm of the bay

Even in winter, the bay of La Baule retains a touch of magic.

The 9 kilometres of fine sand are yours to explore without the crowds, in a changing light that makes every stroll unique.

Put on your hat and windbreaker, take a deep breath and let yourself be carried away by the rhythm of the waves. It’s the perfect time to enjoy this great beach in a different way: calmer, more authentic, more ‘real’. Joggers can enjoy the fresh air, children can run around freely and even meet new people! You’ll be able to prepare your most beautiful holiday snaps.

Discover La Baule

2. Batz-sur-Mer : the govelle and its show

Between Le Pouliguen and Batz-sur-Mer, La Govelle beach retains its sporty character all year round. There’s no snow here, just powerful waves and well-equipped surfers who brave the cold with a smile.
In winter, the view is breathtaking: the wind, the spray, the raw energy of the ocean. Even without getting in the water, you’ll love walking around, watching the surfers or simply feeling the force of the elements.

Don’t forget to take a hot chocolate break in Le Pouliguen to warm up afterwards – it’s the perfect combination of adrenalin and sweetness.

Find out more about the seaside

3. Mesquer : the incredible Pointe de Merquel

What we love most about Mesquer is the peace and quiet, the fresh sea air and that nose-piercing seaside feeling. At the pointe de Merquel, the landscape opens up wide, with a magnificent view towards the pointe de Pen Bé.

The coastal path allows you to walk around the headland at your leisure, skirting the ocean, the dunes and the Mès marshes. In winter, the atmosphere becomes more raw, and quieter too. A few bundled-up walkers, birds in the wetlands, and the sound of the wind as your companion. An ideal place to enjoy the benefits of the sea air!

The customs trail

©Guérande - Salt marshes in winter|Fanny Retailleau

4. Guérande : the salt marshes out of season!

The sea air is a natural accompaniment to the salt marshes. It’s hard to beat the iodine of these landscapes, where salt is produced directly in contact with the ocean. The salt marshes remain accessible and can be explored in a variety of ways, even out of season. Guided tours are offered all year round by organisations such as Terre de Sel, the Maison des Paludiers in Guérande and independent salt workers. Find out more here.

The salt harvest may be on hiatus, but that doesn’t mean the activity has come to a halt. Maintenance of the basins continues, and winter offers ideal conditions for observing the wildlife that frequents this emblematic site.

Visit the salt marshes

Want to extend your winter experience? Discover the Brière

These four spots give a great overview of the winter atmosphere in La Baule-Presqu’île de Guérande. Between the coast and the salt marshes, iodine is everywhere and shapes the identity of the area. But winter doesn’t stop there. As you move further away from the coast, a different atmosphere is revealed, allowing you to enjoy the great outdoors. The Brière invites you to discover a completely different atmosphere. Canals, wetlands and thatched cottage villages make up a peaceful setting, ideal for a quiet stroll. It’s another way to experience winter – 100% nature!

Find out more

Brière Regional Nature Park