Crozon Peninsula (Presqu'île de Crozon)

The Crozon Peninsula (Presqu'île de Crozon) is a cross-shaped headland in the far west of Brittany, in Finistère, facing Brest across the Rade de Brest. Its cliffs, sea caves and beaches sit inside the Armorique regional nature park and alongside the Iroise marine park, and it suits walkers, families and anyone wanting two or three days of coastal scenery.

Where the Crozon Peninsula is and which town to use as a base

The peninsula is bordered by the Rade de Brest to the north, the Iroise Sea to the west and the Bay of Douarnenez to the south. It takes in seven communes: Argol, Camaret-sur-Mer, Crozon, Landévennec, Lanvéoc, Roscanvel and Telgruc-sur-Mer. Shops, restaurants and tourist offices are concentrated in Crozon, Morgat and Camaret, which make the most practical bases.

Nature reserve rules on the cliffs and foreshore

Geology is the main reason the peninsula is protected. In 2013 the Brittany Region created a regional nature reserve covering 27 sites of geological interest on its cliffs and foreshore. The Parc naturel marin d'Iroise, created in 2007, protects the waters to the west. Keep to marked paths, leave rocks and plants where they are, and stay behind the barriers at the headlands, where some protected sites sit right on the cliff edge.

Pointe de Pen-Hir and the other headlands to walk

Pointe de Pen-Hir and the Tas de Pois sea stacks below it are the classic view, best on a clear evening at sunset. Cap de la Chèvre has heathland and a stretch of coastal path, and the Pointe du Toulinguet, Pointe des Espagnols and Pointe de Dinan complete the circuit. The coastal footpath links them all, with beaches and coves in between. Paths run close to high cliff edges, so wear good shoes and keep away from the drop in strong wind.

Seeing the Morgat sea caves by boat or kayak

The cliffs around Morgat are cut by sea caves that are best seen from the water. Guided boat trips leave from Morgat marina, generally from April to October, and kayaks and paddleboards can be hired there too. The Grotte de l'Autel is the largest and best known, reaching about 80 metres into the cliff. The Grotte de la Cheminée is nearby, and the Grotte Sainte-Marine can be reached on foot at low tide only.

Vauban Tower, Landévennec Abbey and the Ménez Hom view

Camaret-sur-Mer has the Vauban Tower, one of the twelve sites of the Fortifications of Vauban on the UNESCO World Heritage List. At Landévennec, the ruins of an abbey founded in the 5th century stand beside the estuary of the Aulne. Ménez Hom, at the eastern entrance, is the summit to climb for a view over the whole peninsula.