Plage des Galères
Isolated naturist coves at Kerdonis, Locmaria. Access on foot via coastal path, free parking, low key mix of naturists, families and fishers.
- Isolated, low key coves
- Access on foot via coastal path
- Free parking
- Good sun exposure
- Clear water, fishing spot
- Address
- Kerdonis
56360 Locmaria, Morbihan
Where and how to get there
The Plage des Galères sits at the hamlet of Kerdonis, in the commune of Locmaria, on Belle-Île-en-Mer. This isn't a beach you stumble upon by chance: from Le Palais, you need to follow the coastal road, spot the turnoff toward Kerdonis, then drive along a dirt track to a small free car park.
From there, head onto the coastal path to the right, through a narrow, wooded passage. Expect a bit of a walk before reaching the first coves. This access effort is clearly part of the place's natural filter.
Coves rather than a beach
We're talking here about a set of tolerated naturist coves, not one long single beach. Sand alternates with pebbles depending on the spot, and each cove offers its own pocket of privacy, separated from its neighbors by rock.
This layout of small, isolated pockets is exactly what regulars love most: you can find your own cove, settle in and barely cross paths with anyone all day if you arrive a bit off from the others.
Light and tides
The site enjoys very good sun exposure for about three quarters of the day, making it a great spot to tan without any self-consciousness from morning through mid-afternoon. Shade returns fairly quickly by late afternoon, though, thanks to the wooded terrain around it.
The coves are shallow, suited to a calm swim rather than serious lap swimming. The clear water also draws in shore fishers and anglers: the spot has a reputation for being a good catch.
Who comes here
The crowd mixes naturists, families and couples, but also fishers who mostly come for the clear water, not the nudity. The atmosphere stays low key, far from the crowds found on the island's more accessible beaches.
Feedback from regulars keeps pointing to this isolation and the many small coves, which let everyone find their own bubble. The tricky access, often mentioned, is also what keeps the place peaceful: few people bother making the walk, and that's just fine for those seeking quiet.
Practical info
- Free parking at Kerdonis
- Access on foot only via the coastal path
- Sand and pebbles depending on the cove
- No facilities on site, bring water and supplies
Source: OpenStreetMap and its contributors (ODbL licence). See on OpenStreetMap.