What to do in North Finistère? The complete guide to wild Brittany

Published on 21/10/2021 - updated: 19 March 2026 - 9 min read - By Théo Mercier-Balaz

Contents

North Finistère is one of the most authentic destinations in Brittany — a territory of moors, cliffs, islands and abers where the edge of the world takes on its full meaning. From Brest to Roscoff, from Pointe Saint-Mathieu to the shores of Morlaix Bay, exploring North Finistère means discovering a wild and preserved Brittany. Here is the complete guide to all activities in North Finistère for unforgettable vacations in Brittany.

Brest: The Maritime Metropolis of North Finistère

Brest is the major city of North Finistère — a legendary military port, a post-war rebuilt city and today a dynamic metropolis turned towards the sea. The Brest Castle, a 17th-century fortress that houses the Navy Museum, dominates Brest Harbor and offers an incomparable panoramic view of one of the most beautiful harbors in Europe. Océanopolis, Brest’s ocean discovery park, is France‘s largest aquarium — its three pavilions (polar, tropical, temperate) transport visitors through all the marine ecosystems of the world, an essential family activity in North Finistère. The Plougastel-Daoulas peninsula, accessible from Brest via the bridge of Iroise, is known for its strawberry production and its chapel with 17,000 characters sculpted in black kersanton stone.

Brest Harbor is also the starting point to explore the Glénan archipelago, the Crozon Peninsula and the vast maritime expanses of North Finistère in Brittany — cruises and boat trips are offered from Brest‘s commercial port.

Claire’s tip: Visit Océanopolis in Brest early in the morning and spend the afternoon discovering Brest Castle and its view over the harbor — a full day for families in North Finistère with practical information available at the Brest Tourist Office.

Pointe Saint-Mathieu: The Edge of the World in North Finistère

Pointe Saint-Mathieu in Plougonvelin is one of the most impressive sites in North Finistère — this windswept promontory combines in a few hectares a functioning lighthouse (37 m, visitable), the ruins of Saint-Mathieu Abbey (12th century) and a military semaphore, all with a magnificent view over Brest Harbor, Ouessant Island and the reefs of Pierres Noires. Pointe Saint-Mathieu is 25 km from Brest — easily accessible in North Finistère, it is one of the most striking marine stops throughout Brittany. The coastal path (GR34) runs along the cliffs from Pointe Saint-Mathieu northward for several kilometers of breathtaking coastal panoramas. The sunset from Pointe Saint-Mathieu over the Atlantic and the rocks of the Iroise coast is one of the most beautiful in Finistère.

The Lighthouse of Île Vierge and the Abers of North Finistère

The Lighthouse of Île Vierge, in the abers of North Finistère, is the largest granite lighthouse in Europe (82.5 m) and one of the most majestic lighthouses in Brittany. Accessible by boat from Aber Wrac’h or from Plouguerneau, the Lighthouse of Île Vierge offers guided tours allowing visitors to climb its 365 steps to the lantern room — the view from the top over the abers of North Finistère, the coastal dunes and the Iroise Sea is exceptional. Aber Wrac’h and Aber Benoît are estuaries (the “abers” in Breton) of wild beauty characteristic of North Finistère — their wooded banks, their moored sailboats and their oyster farms make the abers a popular destination for walks and sailing in Brittany.

The White Sands Beach of Locquirec (Morlaix Bay) and the many wild beaches on the Abers coast in North Finistère offer remarkable swimming conditions in summer.

Claire’s tip: To visit the Lighthouse of Île Vierge in North Finistère, book the crossing from Plouguerneau or Aber Wrac’h in advance in July-August — boats fill up quickly. The climb to the top of the lighthouse is worth the effort: the view over the abers and the coast of North Finistère is unforgettable, with information about the history of lighthouse keepers in Brittany.

Roscoff and Île de Batz: Pearls of Morlaix Bay

Roscoff is the jewel of the North Finistère coast — this fishing and pleasure port with pink granite houses from the 16th century is one of the most beautiful small towns in Brittany. Its Church of Notre-Dame-de-Kroaz-Baz (lantern of the dead, Renaissance bell tower), its exotic garden of Roscoff (each winter its Barbary figs and agaves testify to the mildness of the climate due to the Gulf Stream) and thalassotherapy in North Finistère make it an incomparable cultural and wellness stop. The port of Roscoff is also the gateway to Ireland and England — daily maritime connections from Roscoff to Plymouth and Cork make Roscoff an international crossroads in North Finistère.

The island of Batz, accessible in 15 minutes by boat from the port of Roscoff, is a preserved natural space in North Finistère — its fine sandy beaches, its lighthouse (tower tour, panorama over Morlaix Bay), its colonial garden and its absolute tranquility make it the ideal island for a day of relaxation in Brittany.

Morlaix and Morlaix Bay: Viaduct and Castles

Morlaix is the medieval town of North Finistère — its 58 m railway viaduct spanning the Morlaix River valley is the most photographed monument in North Finistère. The old town of Morlaix with its pondalez houses (belly houses, with interior balcony characteristic of the region), its staircase streets and its Morlaix museum (collections of Breton art and archaeology) deserve half a day during a tour in North Finistère. Morlaix Bay offers several islands and islets — Île Louet and Taureau Castle (17th-century island fortress that guarded the entrance to the bay) are accessible by boat from Carantec for spectacular guided tours in North Finistère.

Île de Callot, connected to Carantec at low tide by a passage walkable on foot (be careful with tide times!), is an island in North Finistère accessible on foot through the sand — its chapel, its blockhouses and its wild beaches make it an unusual excursion in Morlaix Bay.

Claire’s tip: To reach Île de Callot at low tide from Carantec in North Finistère, check the tide tables in advance and wear boots — the shore crossing is passable 2 hours before and 2 hours after low tide. A unique excursion in Brittany in a preserved natural setting in North Finistère, with information available at the Carantec Tourist Office.

The Monts d’Arrée and Interior North Finistère

The Monts d’Arrée are Finistère‘s mountain range — their endless moors, their peat bogs and their peaks (Roc’h Trédudon, 385 m) offer unique hikes and panoramas in Brittany, in a preserved natural setting free from urbanization. The interior of North Finistère around the Monts d’Arrée is also rich in heritage: Breton parish enclosures (Saint-Thégonnec, Guimiliau, Sizun) classified as historic monuments and representing the pinnacle of Breton art from the 16th-17th centuries. These enclosures with their monumental calvaries, their ossuaries and their triumphal gates are essential cultural activities in North Finistère for anyone passionate about Brittany and history.

Menez Hom (330 m), at the boundary of North Finistère and the Crozon Peninsula, is the natural viewpoint of Finistère — 360° panorama over Brest Bay, the islands of the Crozon archipelago and the Monts d’Arrée.

Pont-Aven and the Artist Workshops in Finistère

Pont-Aven is the town of painters in Finistère — Paul Gauguin and the Pont-Aven school (late 19th century) revealed the beauty of the Breton landscapes of this village nestled in the Aven valley to the entire world. The Pont-Aven museum (collections from the Pont-Aven school, Gauguin, Émile Bernard, Sérusier) and the many art galleries on the port of Pont-Aven make this town in Finistère an artistic capital of Brittany. Painting and watercolor workshops in Pont-Aven and in North Finistère allow visitors to learn artistic creation in the landscapes that inspired Gauguin — workshops suited to all levels, from children to adults.

Quimper, the prefecture of Finistère, at the boundary of North and South Finistère, also deserves a day — its Saint-Corentin Cathedral (Gothic, the only one in Brittany with a deviated nave), its Quimper faiences and its Cornouaille Festival (Celtic folk, late July) make Quimper a major cultural destination in Finistère.

Camping with Water Park in North Finistère

The campsites of North Finistère — between Brest, Roscoff and Morlaix Bay — offer water parks with heated pools in a preserved natural setting in Brittany. A camping stay in North Finistère allows you to easily explore all the sites: Pointe Saint-Mathieu, Lighthouse of Île Vierge, Île de Callot at low tide, Morlaix and its activities, the abers and the coastal path of North Finistère. The wild beaches of North Finistère, the mythical lighthouses and the preserved islands of Morlaix Bay make North Finistère one of the most beautiful nature camping destinations in Brittany.

FAQ – What to Do in Northern Finistère?

Frequently asked questions

What are the best activities in Northern Finistère?

The best activities in Northern Finistère are: visiting Océanopolis and the château of Brest, the Pointe Saint-Mathieu (abbey and lighthouse), the Île Vierge lighthouse from the Aber Wrac'h, Roscoff and the Île de Batz, the Île de Callot at low tide from Carantec, the Château du Taureau in the Baie de Morlaix, the parish enclosures, and the Monts d'Arrée. The coastal path (GR34) in Northern Finistère is also a must-do hike in Brittany.

How do you get to the Île de Callot in Northern Finistère?

The Île de Callot at Carantec in Northern Finistère can be reached on foot at low tide — a sand crossing that's passable 2 hours before and 2 hours after low tide. Check the tide tables before crossing. The Île de Callot can also be explored by kayak from Carantec. Practical information on low tide times is available from the Northern Finistère tourist office.

Can you visit the Île Vierge lighthouse?

Yes, the Île Vierge lighthouse in the abers of Northern Finistère can be visited — reachable by boat from Plouguerneau or the Aber Wrac'h, it offers guided tours that let you climb its 365 steps. The view from the top over the abers and the coast of Northern Finistère is exceptional. Book ahead for July-August.

What is there to see in Roscoff in Northern Finistère?

Roscoff in Northern Finistère deserves half a day: the historic fishing harbor, the Notre-Dame-de-Kroaz-Baz church, an exotic garden, and the Île de Batz by boat (15 minutes from the port of Roscoff). Roscoff is also the gateway to the Baie de Morlaix and an ideal base for exploring the sites of Northern Finistère in Brittany.

Are there campsites with water parks in Northern Finistère?

Yes, several 3- to 5-star campsites offer water parks in Northern Finistère — in Brittany, between Brest, Roscoff, and the Baie de Morlaix. These campsites with heated pools let you enjoy the beaches and the unspoiled natural setting of Northern Finistère even on rainy Breton days, while easily reaching all the must-see sites: Pointe Saint-Mathieu, the Île Vierge lighthouse, the Île de Callot, and Morlaix.