Surrounding activities

Guérande and the Salt Marshes

Staying at La Pierre Longue campsite in Le Croisic also gives you the opportunity to discover Loire Atlantique, a department at the gateway to Bretagne, rich in heritage and lush nature. From Saint Nazaire, the Loire estuary, through the famous Bay of La Baule, your path will inevitably cross the famous medieval city of Guérande. This fortified town, nicknamed the "Carcassonne of the West," hides behind its ramparts numerous small cobbled streets and characterful houses, vestiges of its medieval past and Breton origins.

Beyond its historical richness, Guérande's reputation lies in its famous salt marshes. This protected site of over 1,400 hectares is actually exploited not only in Guérande, but also in the municipalities of Batz-sur-Mer, Le Croisic, and La Turballe.

Using ancestral techniques, in harmony with nature, more than 10,000 tons of coarse salt and 300 tons of fleur de sel are harvested by hand each year by the site's 300 or so salt workers. Guérande salt is known and used worldwide, from the most humble tables to the finest Michelin-starred restaurants, for its quality, finesse, and unique floral notes.

But beyond their culinary appeal, the Guérande salt marshes offer, above all, a unique and captivating landscape, a true mosaic of shapes and colors. Amidst this wetland and its reed beds, you can also observe more than 280 species of birds roaming freely. Among black-tailed godwits, herons, and sacred ibises, it's also a great time to close your eyes and breathe in the sweet scent of the many floral species that have made their home here. We highly recommend taking a lovely walk or bike ride in this unique natural space!

To learn more about the salt marshes, how salt is formed, the work of salt workers, and the flora and fauna that inhabit the marshes, visit sites, exhibitions, and guided tours will allow you to have a pleasant time while enriching your knowledge!

Terre de Sel in Guérande - https://www.terredesel.com

The salt marsh museum in Batz-sur-mer - https://www.museedesmaraissalants.fr/

The salt workers' house in Saillé - https://maisondespaludiers.fr/

Good to know: Some independent salt workers offer to show you around their own saltworks and share their passion for their work with you - Information and contacts at the Tourist Office

Brière Regional Natural Park

Just a stone's throw from Le Croisic Peninsula, at the gateway to Guérande, come discover the Brière Regional Natural Park, the second largest marshland in France! An exceptional nature reserve, the Brière Natural Park is currently being designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Here, you'll discover natural landscapes conducive to contemplation. Behind dikes formed by the silt of the Loire River, a vast 40,000-hectare peat bog has developed, revealing seven islands at its heart.

The chaland, a flat-bottomed boat typical of the region, takes you into a world where the roads are canals and the horizons are flooded plains, silvered by the sun. Meander among the white water lilies and yellow irises to discover the many bird species that gather on the banks. Herons, marsh harriers, teals, spoonbills... all inhabit these wild, wetlands. Many locals offer tours through the park by barge or horse-drawn carriage to help you discover this unique natural space in France!

Who hasn't wanted to wander through Asterix's village? Head to Kerhinet, a picturesque little village typical of the Briere region, with its traditional thatched-roof houses. Completely renovated by the Brière Regional Park, this site, accessible year-round, is a magnificent example of Briere architecture. Discover Kerhinet with family or as a couple for a short visit, lunch at the inn, a picnic, or to spend the day. You'll discover some fifteen thatched cottages, artisans, artists, local producers, and, of course, its famous local produce market. It's also the starting point for numerous hikes through the marshes.

Tours and information: https://www.parc-naturel-briere.com/

Along the Coast

From Camping La Pierre Longue in Le Croisic, explore the small ports and villages with their old-world architecture along the Atlantic coast of southern Brittany along the seafront.

From Batz-sur-Mer to Saint-Nazaire, via La Baule in the south, and from La Turballe to Pénestin in the north, the "Côte d'Amour" coastline reveals its many faces to its visitors. Sometimes wild on the shores of Batz-sur-Mer, sometimes seaside and dynamic like La Baule and Pornichet, our region offers something for all generations.

From the south

Leaving Le Croisic, head for Batz-sur-Mer and its wild coast! A charming little historic village, climb to the top of the St. Guénolé Tower to discover the most beautiful panorama in the region, between salt marshes and the ocean. For history buffs, make a detour to the Grand Blockhaus, a true showcase of the region during the Second World War. Have fun with the family at the Mini Golf de la Saline while enjoying the view of the Moulin de la Falaise, then set out to conquer the ocean with a sailing lesson at the Valentin School.
Surfing enthusiast? Head to La Govelle Beach, one of the best spots in Loire-Atlantique.

Then continue your route to the charming marina of Le Pouliguen, where small beach bars, ice cream vendors, and seafood restaurants share the docks.

Cross the bridge and relax on the beach of the famous La Baule Bay, one of the most beautiful in the world. The city has been welcoming tourists from around the world to its historic villas and prestigious hotels since the 19th century. Take a relaxing break at the famous Thalasso & Spa Barrière La Baule or enjoy some fun at the Casino.

Continue to Pornichet and attend a horse race or a concert at its famous Pornichet Hippodrome.

Finally, stop in Saint Nazaire for a day to discover the world of legendary ocean liners; explore the first French submarine to have dived beneath the ice floes; or visit the only site in France dedicated to offshore wind power.

By car, train, or by bike along the Loire, travel upriver from Saint Nazaire. You will arrive in Nantes, the prefecture of Loire Atlantique and the legendary historic city of the Dukes of Brittany. There, you can discover the Château des Ducs de Bretagne, a veritable museum of the history of southern Brittany. Immerse yourself in the imagination of Jules Verne and Leonardo da Vinci by visiting the Machines de l'Île de Nantes and its famous elephant, the city's emblem.

From the North

Return to the coast and head for the port of La Turballe and the Pointe de Pen Bron, the largest natural dune massif in the Loire-Atlantique department, offering nearly 11 km of beach.

Heading a little further towards Brittany, stop in Piriac-sur-Mer, a small town of character nestled on its jagged coastline, boasting its utterly Breizh architecture!

Finally, just 25 km from Le Croisic, leave Loire-Atlantique and enter Brittany, in Morbihan, via the small town of Pénestin, famous for its Bouchot mussels. There, you'll also discover the listed site of La Mine d'Or and its golden cliffs, an ideal spot for a paragliding jump.

Some ideas for family outings

Luna Park Guérande – Funfair – 13km
Parcofolie – Theme Park – 15km - https://www.parcofolies.com/
Pirate Island – Theme Park - 15km - https://www.ileauxpirateslaturballe.com/
Piriac Aventure – Treetop Adventure Park - 20km - https://www.piriac-aventure.com/
Ranrouët Castle – Fortress – 30km - https://www.chateauderanrouet.fr/
Branféré Zoo - Zoo – 35km - https://www.branfere.com/
Légendia Parc – Theme Park - 43km - https://legendiaparc.com/
Naudières Park – Theme Park – 60 km - https://www.lesnaudieres.com/
Planète Sauvage – Zoo – 60 km - https://www.planetesauvage.com/
Prehistory Park of Brittany – Theme Park - 65km - https://www.prehistoire.com/
Puy du Fou – Theme Park – 130 km - https://www.puydufou.com/france/fr