Pointe du Raz


Few places in France can match Pointe du Raz for its coastal splendour: on every side gorse-cloaked cliffs plummet to the waves 70m below, gulls trace lazy arcs overhead, and a statue gazes out to sea towards the île de Sein and the winking light of the Ar Men lighthouse. On a stormy day, with giant waves hurling themselves at the cliff faces, it feels like the end of the world. On a clear day, the sunsets are quite unbelievable.

The area is a nationally protected reserve and trails criss-cross the land, but be careful on trails that have severe, unprotected drop-offs. A car park, cafes and a high-season visitor centre are behind the point proper; shuttle buses ferry visitors the last 800m, or you can just walk the scenic coast path.

In high season only, Penn Ar Bed bus 53B from Quimper continues past Audierne on to the car park at Pointe du Raz (€2, three daily Monday to Saturday, 1¼ hours), but it's easier and more sensible to visit with your own wheels. There is a car-park fee of €6.50.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Cap de la Chèvre

12.37 MILES

The peninsula's most southerly point, Cap de la Chèvre is 8km south of Morgat, and offers stupendous panoramas of the Baie de Douarnenez and the Pointe du…

2. Pointe de Dinan

15.54 MILES

The cliffs of Pointe de Dinan, 6.5km west of Crozon, provide a dramatic outlook over the sands of Anse de Dinan and the rock formations locally known as…

3. Pointe de Pen-Hir

15.92 MILES

Three kilometres southwest of Camaret, this spectacular and sublime headland is bounded by steep, sheer sea cliffs. On a peninsula known for its…

4. Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Rocamadour

17.94 MILES

Its timber roof like an inverted ship's hull, the 17th-century Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Rocamadour at the Pointe de Rocamadour is dedicated to the sailors…

5. Église St-Pierre et St-Paul

24.17 MILES

At the heart of Argol, this 1576 church – dedicated to St Peter and St Paul – was much enlarged in the late 17th century, while its bell tower dates to…

6. Statue of King Gradlon

24.17 MILES

Outside the wall of Église St-Pierre et St-Paul, on the corner of place de L'Église and rue de L'École, you will find this 3m-long statue of Breton legend…

7. Maison du Cidre de Bretagne

24.7 MILES

This farm and working cider factory produces cider, apple juice and vinegar. A visit takes you from the orchard to production and, of course, you get a…

8. Église St-Ronan

24.91 MILES

At the core of Locronan, this beautiful and very sacred church dates from the 15th century. It contains the tomb of St Ronan, as well as a green wooden…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "france/finistere/attractions/pointe-du-raz/a/poi-sig/1594283/1323150",
      "position": "superzone"
    }