What can you do?
Sea & Beach
Close to the sea, varying from 4 km to the beach of Plouhinec and the Ria d'Etel to 30 km to the cliffs of Quiberon and all the beaches in between, like Erdeven, Etel, and Sainte Barbe. The beaches of Plouhinec are in general not too busy and at low tide the rocks are visible and accesible for crab and cockels fishing. The beaches of Plouhinec have been awarded the "Pavilion Bleu" label for the umpteenth year running, proving they are clean, safe, and easily accessible. At low tide, the large rock formations are visible and ideal for searching for periwinkles and small crabs. The entire area between Gavres and Quiberon was recently designated a national protected natural area ( Grand Site de France ) and offers numerous hiking and cycling trails.
Surf & Kite
For body boarders, wave boarders and (kite) surfers, this is paradise. Within 5 km you will find the local hotspots Plage de Linès and Petite Mer de Gavres. In case the waves aren't the best, you can also go to the Cliff Coast of Quiberon and the sandy beaches of Sainte Barbe. We are a surfing family and we have surfboards available for rent for both beginners and more advanced surfers. We're happy to give you or your children a clinic to help you catch your first waves. There's a kitesurfing school in Gavres (4 km) for lessons, rentals, and equipment purchases.
SUP & Oysters
You might think, what a strange combination, but on the Ria d'Etel inland sea, anything is possible! Let one of our SUPs take you with the current from Nostang or Sainte Helene, and then, near the chapel of Saint Guillaume, sample oysters at the local oyster farmer, Leneveu, overlooking the water.
Fishing & Diving
For example, using a jig for sea bass at sunrise or sunset. Finally, "pecher à pied," or foot fishing, is a big favorite among the locals. They search for periwinkles, cockles, mussels, oysters, and more. You can do this anywhere along the coast, near the rocks, and especially at the Petite Mer de Gavres.
Chapels & Culture
If you're looking for something different than the beach, sea, forests, and meadows, there's plenty to do. Cities like Vannes , Auray , Lorient , Concarneau, Quimper, and Pontivy are all within an hour's drive. For your annual dose of promenade time, Trinité-sur-Mer and Carnac Plage are ideal. And in the surrounding area, there are summer art trails past chapels and fountains where local artists display their work. There are also several museums well worth a visit. Carnac is world-renowned for its large number of menhirs, and these legendary stones were recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Quite special!
Hiking & Biking
There are beautiful hiking and cycling routes around the Ria d'Etel and through the dunes and forests of Plouhinec. The low elevation gain makes cycling here very pleasant. We have several hiking and cycling routes available . The Plouhinec dune area is not only part of the Grand Site de France (see above), but also of the GR34, also known as "Le Sentier des douaniers" (The Customs Officers' Trail). This route is an impressive 2,000 km long and covers the entire Brittany coast. The path originated in the 18th century, when it was used to protect against invaders. Click here for more information about the GR34.
Food & drink, cooking & tasting
Brittany is the land of oysters, mussels, crèpes, galettes (buckwheat pancakes), cider, salted butter, artichokes, pork, andouille, and much more. For fresh fish lovers, the market hall in Lorient is a true experience, but you'll also find plenty at the local markets. Plouhinec itself has a large number of (organic) vegetable growers and is famous for its "carottes de sable" (salt carrots). You can also buy oysters and mussels directly from the oyster farmer—they don't get any fresher than that! We also love cooking with local ingredients and vegetables from the garden, so join us at the Table d'Hote!
Troc & Puces
Every Sunday in the summer, each one bigger and more fun than the last, for both private individuals and traders, with food and drinks available—in short, a true paradise for flea market enthusiasts! The French "brocantes" were known for all the old trinkets you could find for next to nothing. Those days are long gone, and the true brocantes are mainly the domain of traders, but there's still plenty to be found at the troc & puces and the vide-greniers (both synonymous with flea markets). We certainly never come home empty-handed... and with the small entrance fee (usually €1.00), you support the work of local organizations, so you'll feel good about it too!