Douarnenez Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

Douarnenez is historically a sardine-fishing and canning town. Today, fishing has slowed, and tourism is instead a focus.

The locals are often very friendly and will happily start a conversation with strangers.

Buses come in from Quimper every day, BreizhGo line 51. The 48.0933-4.3305291 bus terminal is in the city centre.

From Quimper, Douarnenez is half an hour away via the D765. It is signposted the whole way.

From Brest, it is about 1h30 away. Either take the N165 towards Quimper until exit 60 (sign says Douarnenez), and follow the signs; or take the N165 all the way to Quimper, get off at exit 56, and follow the signs.

The train station in Douarnenez was closed in the 1970s. The closest train station is in Quimper.

Map of Douarnenez

The town is not large and can be walked about with ease. Some streets can be very steep though, watch out for those if you are out of shape.

There is a bus service.

Easy to park. Watch out if you're driving a large car, streets in the city centre can be very narrow!

• 48.0936-4.334441 The Harbour Museum (Le Port Musée).  
• 48.101667-4.3372222 Tristan Island (L'Île Tristan). A small island just 200 metres off the coast. It gave its name to the town: Douar an enez, meaning "Land of the island" in Breton. When the tide is low, a dune appears connecting the island and the mainland. It is closed to visitors most of the year but opens up for a few days every year.  
• 48.0912-4.32083 Plomarc'h Farm (La ferme des Plomarc'h). 

• Festival du cinéma. Usually the last week of August. A yearly film festival with a focus on promoting and featuring marginalised cultures. (updated Oct 2019)
• For a spiritual experience, try walking up 48.0924-4.32591 Rue Monte au ciel (Ascend to heaven street). Then, you could try walking down to 48.0926-4.33312 Place de l'Enfer (Hell Square).

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• 48.0914-4.32741 Au Goûter Breton, 36 rue Jean Jaurès. A crêperie with a delightfully decorated interior. Very popular. (updated Oct 2019)
• 48.09759-4.333262 Le Bigorneau Amoureux (on the waterfront at the end of the Port-Rhu). (updated Oct 2019)

Like many ports of the region, Le Port du Rosmeur is peppered with bars and brasseries.

• Gîtes des Plomarc'h, ☏ +33 2-98-92-75-41. 

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• Quimper
• Locronan