Plage de Nantois
Wild naturist beach in Brittany: fine sand, sheltered cliffs and very few crowds, even at the height of summer.
- Very low footfall
- Fine sand sheltered by cliffs
- View of the Verdelet islet
- Naturism partly tolerated
- Address
- Rue de la Corderie
22370 Pléneuf-Val-André, Côtes-d'Armor - Website
- cotesdarmor.com
Overview
Nantois beach hides away in the town of Pléneuf-Val-André, in Brittany, tucked between cliffs and rocks that shelter it well from the wind. It's one of the region's rare naturist beaches, and its geographical discretion largely explains its calm.
Fine sand dominates, with a bit of pebbles at the sea-side entrance. The view stretches to the Pléneuf headland and the Verdelet islet, which gives the place a fairly wild feel for a beach so close to the town center.
Access
You get there via rue de la Corderie, a small coastal road that starts from Pléneuf-Val-André. From there, count on about 500 meters of trail on foot to reach the sand, which already filters out a good number of casual passersby.
A parking area is available not far from the start of the trail, a handy detail given the site's relative isolation.
Naturism and cohabitation
Naturism is only tolerated on part of the beach, not across the whole site. This zoning setup lets naturists, families, walkers and joggers cross paths without any trouble, everyone finding their own patch of sand.
Land sailing enthusiasts also use the area, a sign that Nantois beach isn't reserved for naturists alone but a shared space, with its own unspoken rules of mutual respect.
Dogs and regulations
Pets are allowed from September 15 to June 15 with no time restrictions. During the summer period, from June 15 to September 15, they're only tolerated in the evening, between 8pm and 6am, which keeps the daytime free and quiet for swimming and sunbathing.
Atmosphere
All feedback on this beach points to the same thing: very few people, even at the height of summer, which is fairly rare for a naturist site that's easily accessible in Brittany. The atmosphere described is family friendly and easygoing, far from the hustle of the big coastal beaches.
Swimming is considered pleasant once you get past the pebbly start, with a bottom that quickly turns sandy. This is a spot to favor if you're after tranquility rather than buzz, and if you're not put off by a short walk to get there.
Source: OpenStreetMap and its contributors (ODbL licence). See on OpenStreetMap.