Must-sees on the Guérande peninsula
There’s something about the Pays de la Loire that always reminds visitors that France is a land of jewels, in more ways than one. And if the Loire region is blessed with exceptional sites, there’s one that’s become a must-see: the Guérande peninsula. Situated in the heart of the Loire-Atlantique region, at the gateway to the delights of the nearby Atlantic Ocean, its diverse landscapes are a masterpiece of exoticism. Beaches, wild and rocky coasts, salt marshes, ancient forests and historic sites littered with dolmens, megaliths, granites and other castles, are to be discovered and rediscovered without moderation. Depending on your desires, of course, and the call of adventure. Take advantage of your stay at the Paradis l’île de Kernodet campsite in Saint Molf to discover this little corner of paradise.
Discover Guérande’s salt marshes and medieval city
Guérande: The medieval city
When you stay at a campsite in Saint Molf, in the Guérande peninsula, you’ll be sure to visit the fortified town of Guérande, with its sweet and salty connotations. Today, the town has the label “Town of Art and Historyits history begins with Celtic and then Roman influences, right through to the Middle Ages. A period during which the city experienced its true “golden age”, with its commune of 4,000 inhabitants in the 15ᵉ century. At the time, it was the second most important city in the region after Nantes. Considered today as the “Carcassonne of the Westthe medieval city is surrounded by 1.4 km of walls, said to be covered in golden lichen. To enter and discover the city’s jewels, there are four major gateways to the winding streets typical of the historic town. Visit porte Saint-Michel is the best-known of these. Built in the 1450s, it was used to defend the town’s inhabitants from potential attackers. Today, it is the most emblematic image on postcards of the city.
Once you’ve crossed this historic passageway, the town and its mazes are yours. And with them, rue Saint-Michel and its host of artisan shops selling local specialties. Further on, Place Saint-Aubin marks your arrival in the center of the medieval town of Guérande. Here, you can visit the Collégiale Saint-Aubin, with its resolutely Gothic-Breton style, listed as a historic monument in 1853. Then stop off at the Place de la Psalette for a bite to eat in a charming, shady setting, before passing the Maison des Chimères and the Maison des Paludiers. Make haste afterwards to the Notre-Dame la Blanche chapel as you stroll along Place du Pilori. Built in the 13ᵉ century, the edifice is the oldest in the town of Guérande. Plenty of time to enjoy the half-timbered houses, slate roofs and breathtaking views over the region from the top of the ramparts. And, if you’re still not satisfied, visiting the town by night offers a whole new picture of local atmosphere and festivities.
The Guérande salt marshes
Like a mosaic of thousands of mirrors in the sky, the Guérande salt marshes are a must-see site in the Loire-Atlantique region. There, you’ll discover how Guérande salt is made and harvested, while observing a unique concentration of birds. Take a drive or a bike ride along the marshland route, and discover different landscapes at every turn. Sometimes bluish under the sky, sometimes rosy as the sun sets. However, walking between the different marshes is out of the question. “Remarkable Taste Site” label to protect their ecological values. You can, however, visit the Terre de sel museum, which offers guided tours of the marshes all year round. It’s a great way to enjoy this exceptional heritage while meeting salt workers at work on the salt that has made the region famous for centuries. Rich in magnesium, salt is found all over the world, enhancing the flavors of gourmet dishes and gastronomy with its distinctive taste.
Stroll along the wild Loire-Atlantique coastline
While Guérande and its salt marshes are a must-see in Loire-Atlantique, the department also has a multitude of emblematic places to explore and visit as you wander. If you’re looking for something to do near your campsite in Saint-Molf, our Paradis l’Ile de Kernodet campsite is ideally located for exploring the coastal towns of Loire-Atlantique. Indeed, Saint-Molf is close to many coastal towns:Pornichet, La Baule, Le Croisic, La Turballe, Batz-sur-mer, and many others, each boast their own exceptional landscapes and heritage. From the typically Breton atmosphere of Le Pouliguen to the Pointe du Pen Bron, where historic towns, fine sandy beaches, rocky coasts and dreamy coastal paths all come together in gentle, colorful harmony. All of this is made up of a unique fauna, anchored in a floral setting perfumed with pine forests and sea spray.
Explore the beach at La Baule
Considered by many to beone of the most beautiful bays in the world… With its long ribbon of fine sand and irresistibly charming villas, La Baule is a true invitation to wonder and relax. Here, everything is geared to enjoyment and relaxation in a wildly idyllic setting. Discover, on foot, by bike or even on rollerblades, the typical and sometimes whimsical architecture of the houses and buildings of yesteryear. Explore these historic buildings, which today house thalassotherapy centers, luxury hotels and casinos, all facing the immensity of the ocean. Take a deep breath of fresh air on the 9 km of iodized air and marine pleasures that make up the Bay of La Baule.
Visit the port of Le Croisic
Another poetic place to visit during your stay in Loire-Atlantique is Le Croisic and its fishing and yachting harbor. Located opposite the Pointe du Pen Bron and at the entrance to the Grand Traict, the maritime gulf of Le Croisic feeds directly into the Guérande salt marshes. As for the town itself, it boasts a picturesque historic center and several vantage points from which to marvel at your irises. This is the case from Monts Esprit and Lenigo, and even from the Thehic jetty. While you’re in the area, take a stroll along the Côte Sauvage, towards the Pointe du Croisic, the Rocher de l’Ours, not forgetting the Menhir de la Pierre Longue and Port Lin, of course! Bonus: explore thetown’s aquarium! An activity that’s sure to delight young and old alike.
Discover the city of character of Piriac-sur-Mer
Other “Petite Cité de CaractèrePiriac-sur-Mer is a charming little port where you can stroll and lose yourself in its pretty, colorful streets. It’s a typically Breton place to live, with its stone houses and slate roofs, its well-kept flower beds and its unique atmosphere. For the best view of the town, head for the jetty, just past Plage Saint-Michel. And if you fancy a drink, the Vercoquin bar will be delighted to welcome you.
Stop off in the maritime city of Saint-Nazaire
After the charm of small Breton towns, the maritime city of Saint-Nazaire is now a giant open to the world. Saint-Nazaire is home to the largest port on the Atlantic coast of France. It’s a real eye-opener when it comes to maritime transport, since these facilities, dedicated to the transport of goods by cargo, are a veritable economic lung for the region. Bridges, embankments and shipyards make this a port with an exciting history. The city itself, like its industrial port, is entirely turned towards the ocean, with nearly 3 km of promenade and leisure facilities. A true seaside tourist resort, Saint-Nazaire offers pleasant beaches where you can relax, sunbathe and enjoy 1,000 adventures. Saint-Nazaire is at once urban, intimate and historic. Industrial as well as bucolic, Saint-Nazaire has also been designated a “Ville d’Art et d’Histoire”, with its fascinating museums.
Get away from it all when you visit La Brière
After the Atlantic coast, the Guérande salt marshes and the Côte d’Amour, the Brière regional park is a showcase of incredible biodiversity. Classified since 1970, it is now considered France’s second largest nature park, after the Camargue. If the Guérande salt marshes are regularly referred to as the “White Country because of its natural salt, La Brière is known as “le Pays noire. Rest assured, there’s nothing sinister or mystical about it, just the expression of a place where birds flock in great numbers, as do the walks you can take along the various canals. 20,000 hectares of nature and marshes teeming with life, in more ways than one. Explore these remote lands of reed beds, flood meadows and peat bogs, which form a protected Natura 2000 (European Directive for the Protection of Habitats and Birds) area.
Close to the Brière, the village of Kerhinet, with its restored thatched cottages, is an invitation to travel back in time. It exudes an atmosphere of fairyland and magic, with a Trenet-like “Douce France” feel that’s so charming and typical of the region. In Kherinet, all the folklore and architecture of Brittany opens up to you, like so many Impressionist paintings. You’ll come away from your stay in the Pays de la Loire with a wealth of memories, as well as comforting local specialities.
