Plouharnel is a typical Breton village, situated halfway between Carnac and Quiberon.
Plouharnel boasts both a stunning bay and a turbulent ocean that crashes onto 9 kilometres of fine sandy beach… The sunshine and the oceanic climate are a constant invitation to experience the sensations and emotions brought by the sea.
It has a rich heritage:
Acting as a veritable ‘bridge’ between the mainland and the Quiberon peninsula, the town’s western coastline stretches across Brittany’s largest dune system, formed nearly 2,000 years ago following a slight drop in sea level. The combined action of the swell and the prevailing winds has built up the dune along the coast, thus linking Quiberon Island to the mainland via a tombolo.
To the south lies a vast bay which, at low tide, transforms into a mudflat covering more than 350 hectares, frequented by a multitude of seabirds. Cormorants, herring gulls, grey herons and little egrets… all stop off here during the migration season.
The highest point is at a place known as ‘Mané er Mor’, at an altitude of 33 metres, and offers a view of a landscape rich in variety. Wooded countryside, moorland and pine forests coexist here, blending to create an unexpected palette of colours and Breton character.
Megalithic ruins, traditional hamlets, chapels and mills dot the walking trails, inviting you to explore, whether on your own or with your family…
The authenticity of the old market town, with its 16th- and 17th-century houses and narrow alleyways, combined with the peace and tranquillity of the two Benedictine abbeys, rounds off a remarkable and picturesque setting nestled between the sea and a world of mystery.