Le Croisic

A town rich in history and heritage

Le Croisic is a peninsula nearly 5 kilometers long located at the tip of the Guérande Peninsula in the Loire Atlantique department, in southern Brittany.

Due to its strategic location between the Loire and Vilaine rivers, facing the Atlantic Ocean, the town grew and prospered around its port from the 13th century onwards, thanks to trade and fishing.

From the 15th century onward, proud shipowners, merchants, and captains, who had become wealthy in particular through fishing and the salt trade, ensured the town's prosperity and gave it its architectural charm. Numerous buildings, which still stand today, were erected: half-timbered houses at the rear of the harbor, tall stone houses lining the quays, and religious buildings.

Then the early 19th century saw the rise of sea bathing for therapeutic purposes throughout Europe, and Le Croisic became a benchmark in this field. By extension, tourism also developed, and establishments to accommodate vacationers emerged.

Today, Le Croisic is still a fishing port, but the town has also developed a tourism sector that is both family-oriented and sustainable. Thus, the town retains all of its authenticity.

We can therefore only advise you to go and wander through the small streets of the city or along the port to discover the heritage, the small craft shops and the many restaurants serving local and gourmet cuisine.

You will discover:

The Tréhic lighthouse
The Saint-Goustan chapel (11th century)
The Notre-Dame-de-Pitié church (15th century)
The Crucifix chapel (16th century)
The Kervaudu cross (17th century)
The Aiguillon manor house (17th century)
The Old Fish Market
The many small houses and tall residence

Good to know: Since 2013, the town of Le Croisic has added QR codes to the signs of its historic buildings. Now, using their phones, tourists and locals can get more information about the heritage buildings of Croisic. Once scanned, the phone directs you to a site where you can learn about the detailed history and discover old photographs of the site. A geolocation map lists all the other heritage sites in Le Croisic.

Discover the city aboard the Little Tourist Train - Departure: Place du 8 Mai - 7 days a week in July and August and Wednesdays and weekends in May, June and September - More information at the Tourist Office

Walks between land and sea

In addition to its cultural heritage, Le Croisic has successfully preserved its wild nature. Step away from the Petite Cité de Caractère and explore the exceptional landscapes that make the peninsula famous. A breath of fresh air awaits!

Three unmissable hikes departing from the campsite:

Les Landes du Gouverneur - Length: 6.35 km - Duration: 1 hour 35 minutes
Take the footpath at the campsite exit to join the trail. You'll cross the old warren areas. The route continues through Penn Avel Park before reaching the ocean and the wild coast. Stop along the way to visit the Croisicais Heritage House or the Providence Windmill.
This trail allows you to discover the peninsula's varied landscapes, including moors, rocky coasts, and wooded areas.
From Salt to Vines - Length: 3.82 km - Duration: 1 hour
Always starting from the campsite, this short loop takes you from sea spray to ancient vineyards. This circuit allows you to discover this part of the peninsula, once marked by the westernmost salt marshes in the Guérande region and vineyards, some traces of which are still visible today. Discover another side of Le Croisic along small paths lined with stone walls. Along the way, stop at the Océarium or the marine farm.
The Coastal Tour – Length: 10km – Duration: 2.5 hours
If there's one unmissable hike in Le Croisic, it's this one!

From the campsite, take the footpath that leads to the wild coast, and head left or right. Along the coast, on the famous Sentier des Douaniers (GR®34), don't miss the menhir of La Pierre Longue (from which the campsite takes its name) and the bear rock. Along the way, stop at Mount Esprit and Mount Lénigo to enjoy the view and take the time to stroll through the small streets of the town.

Climb to the summit of Mount Esprit and Mount Lénigo

Mount Lénigo and Mount Esprit, located at either end of the port, are actually artificial mounds made from the ballast of merchant ships, replaced by salt in the 15th century. They are now public parks, accessible to all.

Mount Esprit features a spiral belvedere, reaching a height of 26 meters, and offers a 360° view of the Traict and the city from its summit. A green amphitheater has been created at its base, where concerts and cultural events are held every summer.
At the top of Mount Lénigo, a signal mast was installed in the 19th century to indicate the height of the tide. The other end of the hill housed an artillery magazine overlooking the Place d'Armes, which is flanked by a small rampart. These defensive elements were demolished around 1880, leaving room for a popular walking spot for visitors, as the view of the harbor entrance from the belvedere is breathtaking. The promenade continues along the jetty and then to the Tréhic lighthouse jetty.

Le Croisic by Bike

Thanks to our facilities and our strategic location along cycle routes, our La Pierre Longue campsite has been listed as "Accueil Vélo" (Cycling Friendly) since 2022.

The fastest and most convenient way to get around Le Croisic is by bike. Indeed, the narrow streets of the historic center and the port are mostly car-free or one-way. You can go anywhere by bike! It's 1.2 km to reach the town center via the main road. A cycle path has also been created along almost the entire length of the wild coast, allowing you to enjoy the scenery in complete safety.

We offer bike rentals directly at the campsite. For more information, contact reception.

Experience the ocean… intensely!

When you come to Le Croisic, you obviously come to enjoy the seaside! A multitude of activities are available: from relaxing to sporty, for adults and children, there's something for everyone!

The Beaches

Le Croisic has about ten beaches scattered throughout the peninsula. Some are more intimate, hidden in small coves, and others are more traditional, perfect for family fun.

The main beach in Le Croisic is Port-Lin Beach. Located on the south coast road, surrounded by beautiful seaside villas, it is supervised in season and offers a kids' club for children ages 3 and up. At both ends, hidden by rocks, are some pretty little coves.

Saint-Goustan Beach is the closest to the town center. It is accessible to people with reduced mobility and supervised in season.

The closest beach to the campsite is Baie des Sables Menus. Accessible on foot in 15 minutes, its intimate atmosphere makes it a favorite with our guests!

Valentin Beach is probably the most beautiful and largest beach on the Côte Sauvage. Between Le Croisic and Batz-sur-Mer, you can reach it in 5 minutes by car or 10 minutes by bike.

Scattered throughout the rest of the peninsula, you'll also find Castouillet Bay, Crucifix Bay, and the beaches of Port aux Rocs, Port-Val, Saint-Jean-de-Dieu, and Fort de la Pointe.

Fishing

Le Croisic is renowned for being one of the best fishing spots in all of southern Brittany! Whether on foot, by line, or at sea, it's undoubtedly the most popular activity for vacationers. Whether you're an amateur or seasoned fisherman, enjoy this 100% Croisic experience!

For shore fishing, head to the rocks or the Traict at low tide to collect oysters, clams, cockles, and periwinkles.

Line fishing, on the other hand, is done from the harbor quays or from the Tréhic lighthouse jetty. You can catch smelt, cuttlefish, and all kinds of small fish.

Want to fish offshore? Head to the Plateau du Four, the Banc de Guérande, or stay in the Bay of Croisic. With a little luck, you might catch pout, mackerel, horse mackerel, pollack, or other conger eels.

Please note: Fishing, whether on foot, by line, or at sea, is governed by rules that must be respected, particularly regarding authorized fishing areas, sizes, and quantities. For more information, contact the tourist office. Don't forget to check the tide times - Tide guide is available at reception.

Professionals offer introductory or practical fishing services in Le Croisic:

« La Toison d’or » - Tel. 06 87 18 70 32 - http://toison.fr/
« Croisic Pêche Passion » - Tel. 06 23 22 71 14 - http://www.croisicpechepassion.com/

Boating in Le Croisic

Whether you want to rent a boat, take a simple boat trip, or go on a day trip to the Breton islands, you will find many providers offering their services.

Boat rentals: "Le Croisic Boat" for half-days, full days, or weeks - Tel. 06 76 89 67 99 -http://www.lecroisicboat.com/

Pen Bron-Le Croisic-Pen Bron crossing: aboard the "Galipétant" - Information and reservations available at the tourist office

Sea trips: aboard the "Chéri Bibi" - Information and reservations available at the tourist office

Excursions to the Breton islands of Belle-Île-en-Mer, Houat, and Hoëdic departing from Le Croisic : "Navix" company Tel. 02 97 46 60 00 - https://www.navix.fr/

If you are bringing your own boat, please contact La Capitainerie for access information - Tel 09 81 12 75 92 -

The Océarium

This is the MUST attraction in Le Croisic! The only oceanarium in Loire-Atlantique, located near the port, Le Croisic Oceanarium houses more than 4,000 marine animals spread across 56 aquariums. Along the discovery trail, where habitats and biotopes are grouped by zone (Ile d'Yeu, the Lagoon, Australian sharks, the Cyclades with Mediterranean species, and Belle-Ile), visitors can observe inhabitants of the seas and oceans from here and elsewhere, including iconic species (such as the seahorse, the green turtle, the moray eel, the octopus, the African penguin, the bull shark, and the clownfish) and others less famous but equally fascinating, such as the horseshoe crab, the giant Japanese spider crab, and the guitarfish.

Reservations and information directly on their website: https://www.ocearium-croisic.fr/

And more…

Pelamer Equestrian Center – Located 500m from the campsite, Pelamer offers horseback riding for all levels. https://www.pelamerequitation.com
Seadsidekayak – Introductory courses, excursions, and sea kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals at St Goustan beach. https://www.seasidekayak.com
Les Jardins de la Mer – Near the Oceanarium, visit a marine farm with workshops on harvesting and cooking edible seaweed. https://www.lesjardins-delamer.fr
The Golf – Located at the tip of Le Croisic, 2km from the campsite, the golf course offers a 9-hole course, a driving range, and golf lessons. https://www.bluegreen.fr/croisic
La Maison du Sauvetage – On the harbor, near the old fish market, an exhibition of antique Breton lifeguard artifacts. Free admission, open to all.
Le Hublot Cinema – Located in the city center, this cinema offers a program for all audiences all year round. https://www.cinemahublot.com
Many events, concerts, shows, workshops, and more are offered year-round by the town of Le Croisic and its partners – Check the schedule directly on the Tourist Office website: https://www.tourisme-lecroisic.fr/sortir-au-croisic/