Prepare your visit: history and landscapes
Located in one of Europe's most beautiful bays, Douarnenez is a city whose history is inseparable from sardine fishing. The urban landscape is unique, composed of colourful fishermen's houses, historic canneries and more bourgeois villas on the heights of Tréboul.
Here, the sea is everywhere. The city revolves around its three ports: the Port-Rhu (port-museum), the Port of Rosmeur (traditional fishing port) and the Port of Plaisance of Tréboul. It is a destination of the Finistère Sud which emits an authentic energy, where iodized air mixes with the songs of sailors and the conviviality of the docks.
Legends and must see on the way
Douarnenez is the theatre of one of the most famous and tragic legends of all Brittany.
The engulfed city of Ys:
It is said that under the waters of Douarnenez Bay lies the City of Ys, the most beautiful city in the world, protected by a giant dike. Dahut, the daughter of King Gradlon, would have given the devil the keys out of love, causing the total immersion of the city. In calm weather, some sailors still swear to hear the bells of the city swallowed at the bottom of the water.
Mandatory must-haves:
- The Port Museum: An exceptional collection of floating boats that one can visit to discover life on board.
- Tristan Island: Accessible on foot only at low tide, this small jewel of nature hides exotic gardens and historical remains.
- The Plomarcs: A protected natural site offering a magnificent walk between Roman remains and educational farms.
My Practical Tips for Families
Douarnenez is a city of character, ideal for families who love the stories of pirates and sailors.
- Plan Good sneakers because the city is built on several levels with sloping alleys.
- The docks of the ports are quite accessible in stroller. On the other hand, in order to explore the site of the Plamarcoh or to climb on the bridges of the ships of the Port-Museum, the Baby carrier is strongly advised. The coastal trails around the bay are also more pleasant to travel without wheels.
- Gourmet break: Don't leave without tasting the real Kouign-Amann This is where it was invented in the 19th century!
- Itinerary : Find the starting point via this Google Maps link.
Photo gallery: the views not to be missed
The ideal photo spot is probably the port of Rosmeur with its multicolored facades that are reflected in high tide water. For a more wild panorama, the Plomarc
What I like:
Douarnenez, this is the city of my childhood vacation, where innocence mixes with the scent of ice cream on the port or with that of a glass of diabolo on the terrace, before leaving to the campsite without omitting to put your feet in the water in the port. A moment of joy shared with my sister under the benevolent eye of my parents. Douarnenez is a city with a soul of fishermen with a well tempered character, who return the holds loaded with fresh fish and sardines, in this case. Village of my holiday, it remains in my most beautiful memories with its beach open on a sea as far as you can see and Crozon on the horizon.
