Plage des Sables Blancs (Concarneau)

Plage des Sables Blancs is the main beach of Concarneau, a fishing port and resort on the south coast of Finistère in Brittany. It lies on the bay just north of the town centre, and the local tourist office calls it the town's best-known and most accessible beach. Clear water, pale sand and a lifeguard post in summer make it a good choice for families.

White sand and calm water for paddling

The name means "white sands", and the sand is light enough to look almost white at low tide in strong sun. The water is clear, and on most summer days the bay is calm enough for paddleboarding and sea kayaking. Guides describe it as the best-equipped stretch of Concarneau's coast and the only one with a lifeguard post in summer. At high tide the southern end can disappear under water, so families tend to settle toward the middle.

Douarnenez and other Breton towns also have a beach called Les Sables Blancs, so check the town name when planning a route.

First-aid post, skate rink and thalasso nearby

The De Concarneau à Pont-Aven tourist office lists a first-aid post, a bar, a restaurant, a play area, showers and toilets. It also mentions a board and roller skating rink and children's games nearby, and Concarneau's thalassotherapy centre stands close to the beach.

No pets on the beach

Pets are not accepted on Plage des Sables Blancs. If you travel with a dog, use the coastal paths and other walking areas around Concarneau.

The walled Ville Close on its harbour island

Most visitors combine the beach with Concarneau's fortified old town, the Ville Close, about 2 km away. It stands on an island in the harbour, reached by a bridge from the quay, and its walls enclose narrow streets of shops and a fishing museum. The working fishing port lies alongside. Pont-Aven, the painters' village, is about 15 km east.