Last week, new restrictions were announced in France which include being locked down to a 10 kilometer (6-mile) radius nationwide for the near future. Restaurants will remain closed and the 7pm curfew will stay in place as well. Last weekend before all of this was put into effect, Tom, Dagny, and I headed to the Atlantic Coast to one of the beach areas closest to where we live. We spent our weekend in Pornic in the Loire-Atlantique. Heading to the beach always makes me feel refreshed and recharged and it was exactly what we needed.
Pornic is home to about 15,000 people but in the warmer months, that number goes through the roof as tourists head to the coast. This past year has been a little different in that regard, but let me start off by saying Pornic and the surrounding area is absolutely worth a trip.
Summers are relatively mild with average highs hitting about 77 F (25 C) but if you’re not into the beach or fishing, there are beautiful shops to visit as well as gastronomic restaurants, spas, and more so it’s really a destination for everyone.
The beach right behind the hotel along the coastal path, as captured by drone
Our favorite thing to do when we head to the coast is to walk along the sentier côtier, the coastal path that run along the Atlantic. It’s all about relaxing and being out in nature. You can leisurely stroll along or turn it into a major hike or run. Dagny was in her glory and smiling the whole time.
If you want to access the beach along the way, there are steps that will take you down to the surf and sand. Rugged and undeveloped until you come into town, the area around Pornic is a nature lover’s dream.
Have a look at my Pornic vlog above for more on what the landscape looks like. You’ll see fishermen as well as people harvesting oysters at low tide. Many of the fishing “houses” you see in my video that extend out into the sea a little bit at high tide are called carrelets and are available to rent for the day.
Where we stayed: La Fontaine aux Bretons
La Fontaine aux Bretons is just a five-minute drive from the center of Pornic and still central enough but slightly removed from the hustle and bustle of what can become a touristy hotspot in normal times. The property has studios and multi-bedroom apartments with kitchenettes, making it a convenient option if you don’t want to have to eat out all the time, especially for a longer stay. They do have an on-site restaurant, though.
One thing to note about La Fontaine aux Bretons is that you do need a car since it’s not within walking distance of the train or city center. It is within walking distance of the coast just few hundred yards away and the coastal paths, making it a great choice if you love nature and calm.
City center option: Hotel Beau Soleil
While we didn’t stay at the Hotel Beau Soleil, it’s a great option if you come by train from Nantes because it’s right in the center and is within walking distance of the train station.
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Have you visited Pornic?
Diane you did well to get away when you did .I also managed a weekend in Cancale as I live about an hour ‘s drive away. Lovely vlog of Pornic especially the drone shot. I do love it there but as you say out of season.. You must visit Noirmoutier it is really delightful .A bike is a fun way to get around there.
Oh, mais c’est juste à côté de Nantes, j’y ai passé pas mal de temps au fil des été! Effectivement, le port est super mignon. Not the best place for sunbathing on the beach in the summer (since there’s no easily accessible public beach) but great market and super picturesque harbour. And it’s an easy getaway with a central train station.
I would love to get away but not going to happen anytime soon
Merci beaucoup pour cette video ! I loved everything about it. I haven’t traveled anywhere far in many years, so this was like a little getaway for me. I almost felt like I was there. I loved the walking paths, your hotel, the hedgehog and the drone views of the area and ocean. Very well done. So relaxing to watch.