Pointe du Raz

The Pointe du Raz is a rocky headland at the western tip of Brittany, in the commune of Plogoff in the Finistère department, and it is one of the most dramatic places on the French coast. It lies at the end of the Cap Sizun peninsula, south-west of Brest. The headland rises about seventy metres above the sea, with sheer granite cliffs, and it points straight into the Atlantic, with only the small island of Sein and the open water of the Iroise Sea beyond. It is classified as a Grand Site de France, a label given to protected landscapes of national importance that are managed for visitors.

The drama comes from the sea. Between the headland and the Île de Sein runs the Raz de Sein, a channel where strong tidal currents collide with rocks and shallows, and the water can become violent in rough weather. The name Raz comes from a Breton word for a tidal race. For centuries it was one of the most feared passages for sailors, and it is marked by lighthouses, among them the Phare de la Vieille, standing on a rock just offshore, and the Tévennec lighthouse, built on an islet in the sea. Seen from the cliff top, the waves, the lighthouses and the changing light make an extraordinary scene, particularly in stormy weather and at sunset.

The cliffs are a walking area. The GR 34, the coastal path that runs around the Breton coast, passes over the Pointe, and it is possible to walk along the headland and around the neighbouring bays. To the north lies the Baie des Trépassés, the Bay of the Departed, linked in Breton legend to the drowned city of Ys. The site has a visitor centre, the Maison du site, with an exhibition about the landscape and its wildlife, and activities for families. A small electric shuttle runs between the centre and the headland for those who prefer not to walk the distance of around 800 metres.

The site is open to visitors for much of the year, with seasonal hours, and car parking is charged in the main season, so check the arrangements before you go. Keep to the marked paths and stay well back from the cliff edge, which is unprotected in places and can be slippery, and take care with children, since the wind is strong and sudden.

The Pointe du Raz suits walkers, photographers, nature lovers and anyone who wants to see the wild end of Brittany. Allow two to three hours.