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Walking the GR 34: Douarnenez to Baie des Trépassés

By Melinda Lusmore

(First published March 2020, last updated February 2025)

The fifth day of the eleven-day walk along the GR 34 from Camaret-sur-Mer to Audierne starts in Douarnenez and reaches Baie des Trépassés three days and 49.5 kilometres (30.9 miles) later.

Map of the GR 34 path along the coast of Brittany

So far, we’ve walked:

Days 1 & 2: Camaret-sur-Mer to Morgat (40 kilometres/25 miles)

Days 3 & 4: Morgat to Douarnenez (46 kilometres/28.8 miles)

From Baie des Trépassés, we’ll follow:

Days 8, 9, 10 & 11: Baie des Trépassés to Audierne (26 kilometres/16.3 miles)

If you prefer to travel faster or slower, you’ll find a map and a list of all villages where accommodation is available towards the end of this post and suggestions for your overnight stay in Douarnenez here.

Marina at Port Rhu packed with boats

The next town along the coast, and separated from Douarnenez only by the inlet of Port Rhu is Tréboul (in fact, if you were walking straight through you may not realise you’d left Douarnenez!). You’ll find plenty of accommodation in Tréboul if you didn’t find a bed in Douarnenez, including—

Les Résidences d’Armour
Hôtel Classe Valdys 

Ty Mad
Hôtel des Sables Blancs 

Hôtel du Port Rhu    
Au Bon Coin (1 room, 2 people)
Campground Trèzulien
   
Campground Kerleyou  
Campground Croas Men  
Huttopia Douarnenez  

How to book accommodation in French

Rocky coastline and ocean from Keriéré to TréboulAn hour or so after leaving Tréboul, near the hamlet of Keriéré, and there’s rocky coastline in all directions!

SOS sign advising access to Pointe de la Jument

There are several SOS points along this section of the coast where it is possible to get back to the main road from the GR 34 path.

Their main purpose is safety and rescue access but it also makes this area perfect for day walks if you’ve arrived by car or bicycle.

Pink wildflowers in the shelter of a rockWildflowers flourish in a cranny sheltered from the worst of the ocean winds at Pointe de la Jument.

Muddy section of track overlaid with small logs to provide a sturdy path

Because the path is exposed to the wind and the sunshine, there were very few sections where the GR 34 remained muddy and boggy after rain. But here, approaching Pointe du Millier, tree branches have been laid down to provide a sturdy footing.

House on Pointe du Millier sheltered behind a line of trees

House overlooking Pointe du Millier—sheltered from the weather and away from the prying eyes of passing walkers.

House at Pointe du Millier exposed to all the elementsNot so, this house, on the other side of Pointe du Millier, which stands braced against the elements—the perfect spot from which to watch the fury of approaching storms.

Not far past Pointe du Millier, and nineteen kilometres (11.9 miles) since leaving Douarnenez, you’ll reach the beach at Pors Péron. Walk a short distance inland and you’ll find a bed for the night at Chez Mary et Philippe (book through AirBnB) or campsites, cabins and luxury tent accommodation at Camping Pors Péron. (During July and August, these have a minimum booking period of one week, but nightly rentals are available during the low season.)

Small coves form a wriggly coastline at Kastel KozFrom Pors Péron the path hugs the coast, wriggling around many inlets and small bays. It’s not hard to imagine smugglers sheltering in these tiny coves around Pointe de Kastel Koz.

Thick grasses at Pointe de LuguénezHeading west towards Pointe de Luguénez where the lush summer grasses provide the perfect spot for a picnic lunch.

Tall grasses at a regeneration program at Grand ComAt Grand Crom, a program to re-establish the grasses and groundcover seems to be working well!

Road leading into the village Penharn flanked by yellow wildflowersThe hamlet of Penharn, located a short distance inland from Pointe de Penharn, and is 17.5 kilometres (10.9 miles) from Pors Péron. There are two chambre d’hôtes—Chambres d’Hôtes de Keryann and La Ferme des Pecheurs—located near here, providing the perfect oportunity to stop for the night before continuing on to Baie des Trépassés.

Boats moored in the bay at BrézellecBoats moored in Baie de Brézellec.

Rocky coastline between Pointe de Brézellec and CastelmeurViews towards Pointe de Castelmeur from Pointe de Brézellec.

Coastline at Pointe du CastelmeurApproaching Pointe de Castelmeur.

Chapelle de Saint-They, Pointe du Van, Brittany, FrancePerched on the edge of the cliff, just south of Pointe du Van, is a small chapel dedicated to Saint-They—a monk who lived in the sixth century and studied at the abbey in nearby Landévennec (learn more of the history of the abbey half way through this post).

This church, which was built in the seventeenth century over the remains of an earlier chapel, is a classified historical monument and is not usually open to the public (except on the first Sunday in July when the annual pardon, or procession, is held).

Chapelle de Saint-They, Pointe du Van, GR 34, Coast of Brittany, France

Chapelle de Saint-They, Pointe du Van

Inside the small stone wall surrounding the chapel of Saint-They, the cross which normally adorns the stone calvaire has been replaced with sixteenth-century statues of Saint-Jacques and the Virgin Mary, indicating that this may once have been a stop on an ancient pilgrims’ trail towards the Compostella in Spain.

Legend has it that the bell of Saint-They, at Pointe du Van, rings spontaneously, issuing a warning to boats approaching the rocks and cliffs below—and has been credited with saving the fleet of the French king from enemy attack.

Pointe du Van resembling a large turtleThe rocky coastline between Pointe du Van and Pointe du Raz has proven to be the undoing of many ships over the last few centuries, earning this gentle sweep of beach the name Baie des Trépassés (or Bay of the Dead).

Hôtel de la Baie des Trépassés overlooking the sandy beachAlthough there are no other services on this sandy stretch of the coast, two hotels with wide sweeping views of the ocean provide the perfect excuse to stop for the night.

In Baie des Trépassés, you’ll find accommodation at—

Le Relais de la Pointe du Van
Hôtel de la Baie des Trépassés

How to book accommodation in French

You’ll find a complete list of accommodation available in all villages from Camaret-sur-Mer to Audierne (plus lots more useful information) in the guidebook.

Click through to look inside the guidebook

 

 

Go back:

Days 1 & 2: Camaret-sur-Mer to Morgat (40 kilometres/25 miles)

Days 3 & 4: Morgat to Douarnenez (46 kilometres/28.8 miles)

Continue on:

Days 8, 9, 10 & 11: Baie des Trépassés to Audierne (26 kilometres/16.3 miles)

About The Author – Melinda Lusmore

Hi! I’m Melinda, the walker behind I Love Walking in France. Nothing makes me happier than wandering through the picturesque villages and glorious countryside in rural France, and helping others to do the same. Whether you’re looking for practical tips or a little inspiration for your own long-distance walk, you’ll find everything you need right here. This website contains no sponsored posts or affiliate links. If I recommend a product, service or somewhere to stay, it’s because I’ve used it, loved it—and I think you will too!

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Are you dreaming of a walk through the picturesque villages and glorious countryside of rural France and don’t know where to start?

Download your FREE guide now!

3 Steps to the Perfect Long-distance Walk

Your details stay here - no walking EVER! It's a promise!

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