Attached to the mainland by 7 kilometers of sand, the Quiberon peninsula attracts lovers of the sea. In the 19th century, some twenty canneries employed over 1,500 workers, making Quiberon France's leading sardine port. Since then, tourism has taken over. In high season, you'll have to be patient to get there because of heavy traffic. In fact, the Auray-Quiberon TER line has earned itself its name: the Corkscrew! This regional train, which runs throughout the high season and on a few weekends in June and September, not only has all the charm of a summer line, allowing you to leisurely skirt the peninsula, but also has the advantage of serving a number of small stations as far as Quiberon, avoiding seasonal traffic jams. In any case, whether you're travelling by car, train, bike or on foot, the view will be breathtaking when you arrive at the isthmus, the slender arm of land dominated by Fort Penthièvre and separating Quiberon Bay from the Atlantic Ocean. Indeed, the two sides of the peninsula offer a striking contrast. While the eastern coast is calm and sandy, the western coast, known as the "Côte Sauvage", is rocky and battered by swells.Cyclists can follow the quiet greenway from the little port of Etel to Port-Maria, via Erdeven, Plouharnel and the Côte Sauvage. For hikers, the GR® 34 makes a loop around the peninsula. Enjoy the beautiful cypress and umbrella pine landscape along the dunes. From Sainte-Barbe to Mané Guen, the long Atlantic-facing beaches are a favorite with surfers and other board sports enthusiasts. You'll easily find rental companies in Plouharnel town center, and sometimes at the beachfront in summer. On the bay side, pretty, sheltered coves await you at Penthièvre, Kerhostin and as far as Quiberon. The Côte Sauvage stretches from Portivy to Château Turpault in Quiberon, with a coastal path accessible via several parking lots. In summer and winter alike, the walk along the cliffs is very pretty, but often windy! Quiberon and its seafront are a great place to enjoy the sea air and recharge your batteries. In fine weather, you'll be able to catch a glimpse of Belle-Île, as well as Houat and Hœdic, depending on your location, all three islands accessible from the pier (several departures daily, depending on the season).
