Stretching south of Morbihan over nearly 11,500 ha, the Dunes Sauvages de Gâvres in Quiberon include among their treasures the largest non-urbanized dune massif in Brittany. From the picturesque small villages in the hinterland to the steep cliffs of the Côte Sauvage, from the small inland seas to the pristine and undulating dunes, the Grand Site de France offers visitors a feeling of freedom and serenity

A wild and moving land

Stretching over seven coastal municipalities between the bay of Lorient and the Gulf of Morbihan (Gâvres, Plouhinec, Étel, Erdeven, Plouharnel, Saint-Pierre-Quiberon and Quiberon), the Grand Site de France offers a rich and vibrant inland area

The villages of white houses and the picturesque localities reveal their profound Breton character. Then these rural landscapes give way to the dune. A singular dune with a wild, desert, almost lunar aspect. From the top of the mobile dune, the site then reveals itself in all its splendour. This sandy tongue, 25 km long and 1 km wide, is only interrupted by the Ria d'Étel and its legendary bar. In the distance, the view is taken of two granite sentinels that protect the site. These are the peninsulas of Gâvres and Quiberon. A little further on, it is the Côte Sauvage that is open to visitors

And the site has a very rich history, which begins in the time of the megaliths.Inseparable from the Morbihan, the megaliths mark it out, whether they are menhirs, dolmens, cromlechs or tumuli.

A coveted coastal area, the site also bears the mark of the evolution of coastal defences over the centuries. Emblem of this defensive architecture, the Penthièvre fort. At the tip of the Gâvres peninsula, the Porh-Puns Fort is the sentinel. The blockhouses that also dot the site are the remains of the famous Atlantic Wall built by the Germans during the Second World War.

Protected landscapes and a haven of biodiversity

The management of the site is carried out by the mixed syndicate of the Grand Site Gâvres Quiberon, which guarantees its preservation and enhancement in consultation with its various owners (Army, National Forest Office, Coastal Conservatory, Morbihan Department). Its protection is made possible by its classification under the 1930 Act. These remarkable landscapes are home to a wide variety of natural environments (wooded areas, shrubby hems, ponds, marshes, salt meadows, groves, agricultural land with sandy soils, moors and dunes), making the Grand Site de France a haven of biodiversity

The dune is divided into several spaces. The fixed dune, or grey dune, is the furthest part of the sea. Its ground is covered with flat vegetation, mainly composed of mosses and lichens (hence the name grey dune). Then it is the white or mobile dune that begins. It is in constant evolution, with sand accumulating as winds and storms bend. As we descend to the sea, we move to the embryonic dune, where sand begins to accumulate. Finally, we find the foreshore. This is the tidal swing area covered by the sea line

The site is home to 700 plant species, 80 of which are protected, representing a third of the Armorican flora. The mobile dune mainly accommodates Oyat. The fixed dune, grey in winter, turns green on sunny days. To this green is added the yellow of the Immortal of the dunes, the blue of the Thistle of the dunes, the red of the Sea Grape or the white of the Omphalode of the coast. Orchids also develop in the heart of wetlands

Throughout the seasons, a remarkable fauna animates the landscapes. In winter, the spotted Pelodyte finds refuge in wetlands. A little further down, we can observe a funny ballet, that of the Sanderling Sandpiper. The Petite Mer de Gâvres and the Baie de Plouharnel are very popular with shorebirds such as Pluviers. You can also observe Brent Geese, small wild geese that are very fond of eelgrass. In spring, the flight of butterflies offers a dazzling spectacle. In summer, you can observe the most emblematic bird of the site: the Gravelot with an interrupted collar.

A land of traditions and know-how

Fishing is the flagship activity here, as shown by the Musée des Thoniers d'Étel. Unfortunately, the activity decreased until it died out in the 1970s. Étel then became a marina and today, it is at the Quiberon auction that a new fishery, a reasoned fishery, is imagined

If fishing was the main activity, out of season the sailors would turn into farmers. Despite a significant decline, agricultural activity continues. Eco-grazing projects are being launched in Erdeven, while others are planned on the Wild Coast. Market gardeners are also always present. Heirs of centuries-old know-how, they bring back to the forefront local varieties of so-called root vegetables. The Plouhinec carrot, Erdeven onion and Lorient cabbage are very popular.

Finally, once very religious, the Breton population has a very strong link to traditions. Next to the chapels and calvaries, there are sacred or votive fountains. All this religious heritage comes to life during pardons, a typical Breton form of pilgrimage

A site that can be experienced and felt

The Dunes Sauvages de Gâvres in Quiberon are lived all year round. In winter, the sand shines under the first frosts, while the Wild Coast comes to life under the force of waves and wind. In spring, the glaz, the blue-green light that unites the sky and the sea, envelops the site and announces the renewal of nature. In summer, the granite of the Côte Sauvage shines in the sunshine, while the beaches are covered with visitors. As for autumn, it proves that the climate here is always mild

Good to know, the site is a paradise for skiing. Surfing in Plouharnel, kitesurfing and windsurfing in Mané Guen, sand yacht in Kerhillio, paddle in Quiberon Bay, not to mention sea kayaking, coastal lunge, foil, sailing...

There are also many hiking trails, including the famous customs trail or GR34. The Greenway connects the Quiberon peninsula to Erdeven and soon it will reach Gâvres. Many equestrian trails have also been designed

From spring to autumn, the site also comes alive. The mixed union of the Grand Site Gâvres Quiberon organizes immersive walks and many fun and friendly activities - butterfly hunting, ephemeral sand and shell creations, fishing on foot, stories and legends - as well as summer guided tours of the Porh-Puns fort.

The history of the Grand Site de France

Until the early 1990s, the site was still far from being a haven of peace and nature. The need to protect the site is becoming more and more important. This is how the mixed union of the Grand Site Gâvres Quiberon was created in 1997 with a real policy of preservation, management and enhancement of the site. It is during the first operation (2002-2010) that it carries out the most important transformations: setback and redevelopment of parking areas, development of beach access with walkway channelling, restarting the Passeur between Étel and the port of Magouër, creation of a first section of the greenway, but also renaturation of certain areas, reopening of wetlands to promote the recovery of threatened plant species, protection against erosion. Then, from 2012 to 2017, during its second Grand Site Operation, the mixed syndicate consolidated the actions carried out to preserve biodiversity and enhance the value of the site, consolidated its teams and strengthened its partnerships

The mixed union created the École du Grand Site, proof of its vision for the future. In support of educational projects, the union organizes outings and activities. The site is also intended to be a land of experimentation. This is the case, for example, with the pilot wind farm project off Groix, aimed at developing floating wind turbines.This permanent quest for excellence and quality was rewarded by the award of the Grand Site de France label at the end of 2018. In order to encourage visitors to discover these preserved landscapes gently, the Grand Site de France has set up a Nature Escapade without a car. Finally, the Réseau des Grands Sites de France and Le Petit Futé have just published a beautiful book: Dunes sauvages de Gâvres à Quiberon.

Smart info

Useful. To prepare your escapade as well as possible.

WILDLIFE OF GOATS TO BE QUIBERONED - More information on the site

NATURE ESCAPADE WITHOUT GAMES TO BE QUIBERONED - More information on the website

GRAND SITE DE FRANCE - More information on the site