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Nature · Douarnenez, Brittany
Pointe du Raz
Granite headland at the tip of the Sizun cape, with cliffs about 70 m above the Raz de Sein, a stretch of sea with strong currents in front of the island of Sein. Classified Grand Site de France since 2004.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Pointe du Raz
The Pointe du Raz is the tip of the Sizun headland, in the commune of Plogoff, at the southwestern extremity of Finistère. The headland juts out into the sea with granite cliffs about 70 m high. In front lies the Raz de Sein, the passage between the mainland and the island of Sein, known for its strong currents and shipwrecks.
From the shore you can see the lighthouses that mark the passage, including La Vieille, and, farther out, the island of Sein. To the north, the bay of Trépassés separates the Pointe du Raz from the Pointe du Van.
In the 1990s the site was reorganized to protect vegetation trampled by visitors. Parking areas and buildings were set back from the tip, and the heath was restored. In 2004 the site received the Grand Site de France label, among the first in the country.
Access to the tip is on foot from the visitor center. Trails cross the heath and run along the cliff edge, and the coastal path continues in both directions.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About one and a half to two hours, including the walk to the tip and back.
Best time
Early morning or late afternoon, when there are fewer visitors. On very windy days the sea at the Raz de Sein is rough. The heath blooms in spring and again in late summer.
How to get there
About 35 km west of Douarnenez, via Audierne. Parking is next to the visitor center, about 1 km from the tip; in season there is a small shuttle.
Tip
Keep to the marked trails: the cliff edge is unstable and the wind can be very strong. Bring a warm layer even in summer.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Pointe du Raz
Is the Pointe du Raz the westernmost point of France?
No. It is one of Brittany’s best-known headlands, but the westernmost point of mainland France is the Pointe de Corsen, further north.
How do you reach the tip at the Pointe du Raz?
On foot from the visitor center and the parking area, about 1 km. In season there is a small shuttle.
What is the Raz de Sein?
The passage of sea between the Pointe du Raz and the island of Sein, known for its strong currents and marked by several lighthouses.