Douarnenez: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Douarnenez combines maritime history, island landscapes, historic chapels and paths along the water. Between museum ships, old harbour squares and coastal landscapes, the townscape creates a setting where culture and nature complement each other directly.

Maritime Culture

The Port-musée is classified as a “Musée de France” and holds a collection of national importance. Covering 1,500 m², it presents a permanent maritime collection with more than twenty boats. Visitors can also go on board four large historic museum ships.

The Fêtes maritimes de Douarnenez are also part of the town’s maritime heritage: since 1986, they have been held every two years as an event celebrating maritime heritage. The Port du Rosmeur was formerly a sardine fishing harbour and once housed a fleet of sardine boats. Today, the harbour area is reserved exclusively for pedestrians and is suitable as a harbour promenade.

History

The interpretive trail “Le Chemin de la sardine” explains Douarnenez’s sardine history from the Gallo-Roman period through to the later changes to the harbour. Another historical testimony is the Chapelle Saint-Michel: it was built from 1663 to 1665 in memory of the Breton missionary Michel Le Nobletz and has been classified as a historic monument since 1957. The building includes painted, wood-panelled vaults from the 17th century.

The Chapelle Saint-Jean, located along the coastal path, is connected with the devotional and sea-blessing traditions of the sailors of Tréboul. Seven stained-glass windows depict places in Douarnenez and scenes from local life. The bell tower dating from 1642 and the stepped calvary of the Chapelle Saint-Jean are classified as historic monuments.

Coast and Trails

Île Tristan can be reached on foot or by boat at low tide. The island features diverse landscapes, an exotic garden, a fort, a lighthouse and an exhibition room.

For longer days on the coast, the tourist office provides a hiking guide for one- or multi-day hikes on the GR34 between Douarnenez and Audierne. Cyclists can use the 46-kilometre Véloroute V45 to travel from Douarnenez to Pointe du Raz. The lock bridge at Port Rhu allows pedestrians and cyclists to cross to the other bank of Douarnenez on the Tréboul side.

Nature and Landscapes

The Site naturel des Plomarc’h covers 20 hectares of urban nature and includes a farm with Breton animal breeds. This means that within Douarnenez, urban harbour areas stand alongside open landscapes and island areas.

Local Character

The Kouign amann is part of Douarnenez’s culinary identity and is considered a symbol of the town. The cake, made from bread dough, sugar and butter, was created by chance in 1860.

Further destinations:Saint-Nic, Logonna-Daoulas, La Forest-Landerneau, Pont-Croix, Trébabu, Saint-Renan, Botsorhel, Daoulas

For the higher-level travel overview: Finistere.