Cliffs and Coastal Points

You'll notice a high number of lighthouses, beacons and signal lights around the Finistère coast and with good reason: we have sharp rocks, reefs, countless islands and a high volume of maritime traffic.

There are currently 29 lighthouses (11 on land and 18 either on islands or in the sea) protecting the coast.

From north to south, here's an overview of some great points to discover:

- La Pointe de Primel (Plougasnou) : This point is one of nature's sentinels, a strategic point from Viking times, formed by an unusual pile of lovely reddish rocks. Approach it from the path for an enchanting view, and to the west, you'll see the entrance to the gorgeous Diben Port.
 

- La Pointe Pontusval (Brignogan) : This picture-postcard landscape is adored by photographers, with masses of rocks polished by the sea, a beautiful beach of fine, white sand and a charming "maison-phare" with a slate roof

- La Pointe de Corsen (Plouarzel) : The furthest west of Finistère's coastal points and at 31 metres high, this marks the theoretical frontier between the English Channel and the Atlantic and gives a fantastic view over the Chenal du Four. Not far from here is the Trézien Lighthouse, remarkable for the fact that it's placed inland about a kilometre from the shore. Climb the 180 steps for an amazing view…

- La Pointe Saint Mathieu (Plougonvelin) : Once seen, never forgotten. here, you have a majestic white and red lighthouse placed right next to the stunning remains of an abbey, creating a truly breath-taking view, especially approached from the coastla path with its views to Molène and Ouessant islands.

- La Pointe de Pen-Hir (Camaret-sur-Mer) : Said to be the most beautiful of the four rocky outcrops of the Crozon Peninsula, Pen-hir has cliffs that drop 70m to the sea. The panorama and view to Tas de Pois is breath-taking especially in clear weather when you can see the pointe du Raz on your left and Saint-Mathieu to your right.

- Le Cap de la chèvre (Crozon) : This impressive spur protects Douarnenez Bay and has the higest cliffs in Finistère (93m) puncutated by sea caves known as grottes marines. The turquoise waters and hidden creeks here make it a fascinating place to visit.
Take a look at the 'Château de Dinan', not a castle at all but a granite formation that looks like the arch and entrance to a ruined castle.
 

- La Pointe du Millier (Beuzec-cap-sizun) : This point marks the entry to Douarnenez Bay. There's a lovely lighthouse keeper's cottage perched on the cliff tops which is unusually built in typical Breton style.
 

- La Pointe du Van (Cléden-Cap-Sizun) et la Pointe du Raz (Plogoff) : These two very famous coastal points are the arms around the Baie des Trépassés, well-known surf spot and dangerous for currents - its very name means 'the bay of the departed'. Beaten by the sea and the relentless winds, the two points and the bay are grouped as one of France's  'Grand Sites' and you have to experience them to understand their renown.

While Pointe du Van (65m), is dominated by Chapelle Saint-They and has a varied vegetationthe Pointe du Raz is more rocky and wild with sharp cliffs plunging to raging waters. Here, you have a fantastic view over to the Raz de Sein and the famous lighthouse Ar Men, the furthest from any French coast and one whose construction took an incredible 34 years. 
The GR34 coastal path that traces the Finistère coast connects these two coastal opints and give you a compelling walk - remember to take your camera!
 

- La Pointe de La Torche (Plomeur): A surfer's paradise... this coastal point with its long beach exposed to swells is a mecca for surfers and also for walkers who love the bracing sea air.
A little further, on the pointe de Saint-Pierre in Penmarc’h, you can't fail to notice the lighthouse known as Phare d’Eckmühl built to warn of the dangers of hidden reefs. The old lighthouse - the same model as that on the Ile de Batz - and the semaphore are built in alignment.