Douarnenez

Douarnenez is a port town in Finistère, Brittany, France.

Understand

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.

Get in

By bus

Buses come in from Quimper every day, BreizhGo line 51. The 1 bus terminal is in the city centre.

By car

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.

By train

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

Get around

By foot

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.

By bus

There is a bus service.

By car

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

See

• 1 The Harbour Museum (Le Port Musée).  
• 2 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.  
• 3 Plomarc'h Farm (La ferme des Plomarc'h). 

Do

• 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 1 Rue Monte au ciel (Ascend to heaven street). Then, you could try walking down to 2 Place de l'Enfer (Hell Square).

Buy

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Eat

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

Drink

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

Sleep

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

Connect

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Go next

• Quimper
• Locronan