Camaret is located right at the end of Crozon’s peninsula – after that, only the ocean’s left! The harbor next to the hotel is of course a protected area, but within shoe’s reach, the Coast is wild and is well worth a visit.
Strolls
Pen Hir and the “Tas de Pois” (the peas’ heaps)... Two steps away (OK just a few more...) from the hotel, the cape of Pen’Hir is an unmissable walk. So much so that you won’t be allowed back in the hotel before you’ve seen it ! Come on, only joking, but it’s such a wonderful place that it would be a shame to miss such a place.
Lagatjar alignements Dating back to the same period as Carnac’s alignments, the Lagatjar alignments were forming up to 1776 a 600 menhirs set [1]. Sadly, successive destructions had already reduced this number down to 100 by 1883 when it was added to the “Monuments historiques” list.
Historic heritage
If by any stroke of bad luck, you did experience some… rain, why not take advantage of it to visit the noteworthy
“Tour Doree” (golden tower).
You will already be spotting from your room’s windows. It has now been added to the the UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites
Learn more about it.
Among the highlights in the sea at low battery and tower built by Vauban throat, only the Golden Tower has retained its authenticity and integrity through quality restorations.
Second important aspect, it is historically linked by Vauban Battle of June 18, 1694, also known as The Battle of Trez-Ruz. Camaret is the only site that has seen the presence of Vauban at the time of battle.
Might be a good idea to visit http://www.sites-vauban.org/ !
The Chapel of Our Lady de Rocamadour
- The Chapel of Our Lady de Rocamadour
Together with the Vauban tower, the chapel is a symbolic building of the harbor of Camaret. There are two hypothesis about the origin of the Chapel’s name: it would either have been given by pilgrims on their way to Rocamadour (although where on earth would these pilgrims have been coming from???); or it would be a celtic name meaning the rock in the middle of water (Roc’h = rock et Dour = water).
The chapel sits together with the Vauban tower on a rock that is linked to the mainland by a strip of pebbles that protects the harbor, and is known here as the “Sillon” (furrow). This would be the original meaning of the name of the Chapel, “Our Lady of Roz Madou” (Our Lady on the Rock in the middle of the water)
Ruins of the Coëcilian Manor
- Ruins of the Coëcilian Manor
The French Poet Saint Pol Roux had deserted Paris and its miserable life. After a spell in the Ardennes, he settled in Roscanvel and then in Camare where he got a manor built, sea facing, with a most improbable architecture… This manor was destroyed down during the second world war by Allies bombing.
Cap de la Chèvre (Goat’s cape)
- Goat’s cape
- crédit : Randozone
UNMISSABLE ! Several options to discover this cape: the east coast, protected from the wind, boosts a wide variety of landscapes, from coves to woodland scenes. It winds steeply upwards, the way down is at least as steep, it’s craggy to get to the coves, but god it feels so good to meet the sun at the corner of a track. And if you have a little bit of time ahead of you, you can even stop to enjoy it.
The west coast on the contrary is wind swept but magical, for whoever enjoys its harsh and wild landscape, always whipped by the fierce strong winds from the Ocean…
See Randozone blog
A surfers’ paradise
Are you a sea sports fan? A surfer especially? You’re not in for a disappointment when you come here. Ok, no Jaws nor Belaharra here, but you’ll get your fair share of big thrills, whether you are just beginning or proficient.
A few spots:
- La Palue: main spot of the peninsula, come here on a high tide for stronger waves. Access: from Crozon, follow Cap de la Chèvre, then after Morgat turn right towards the La Palue village.
- Lostmarc’h: Lying just behind La Palue, it requires a 5 / 10 minutes walk to reach, but the low tide brings in some very good waves.
- Goulien: the ideal spot for beginners, more interesting at high tide. Access: From Crozon, direction Camaret then Goulien.
- Kerloc’h: The backup spot, ideal for longboard. From Crozon, direction Camaret, you can spot it from the road in Kerloc’.
Le Festival du Bout du Monde (Land’s end festival)
On top of all these, the peninsula hosts the friendliest festival there is! We can say we’re rather lucky in the area, between the "vieilles charrues" [a famous festival in Carhaix, Britanny ->http://www.vieillescharrues.asso.fr ] and the Festival du bout du monde, no less! Yet we have to admit that we are fervent supporters of the latter, a mixed influenced and open to musical influences from the rest of the world. That’s the kind of things we like!
Useful links
Visitor centre: Office du Tourisme