One of the places that we enjoyed the most in Finistère, north of Brest, Brittany, is Meneham. It spans 387.42 hectares and includes several beaches, a dunes strip, meadows, enormous boulders in evocative shapes, fabulous architecture, and an ancient village.
The lovely little authentic fishing village built in the 18th century is charming and quaint. The old coastguard house of Meneham is engulfed between two huge natural granite rocks and is stunning. The historical village behind is now perfectly restored into a village of thatched cottages that offers an ideal setting for family outings such as museums, exhibitions, entertainment, craftsmen’s workshops d’art, stopover lodges, and inns.
We climbed the boulders surrounding the old guardhouse, and the views were beautiful although the wind was cold. Then we walked down through the dunes and onto the most perfect beach! We spent plenty of time there, both at high tide and low tide. The walk on the nearby beaches is just breathtaking, with turquoise water, white sand, and a coastline here literally strewn with huge, house-sized granite rocks. Everywhere. At low tide, the boulders are out and both adults and kids can clamber onto them; they are really cool to explore and climb. The massive rocks make this location so unique in a rugged landscape.
After wandering about, you can always stop for a leisurely lunch at the restaurant there or a beer in the wooden bar.
This extraordinary natural site has been protected since 1975 and will surely delight both history enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers. It’s an intriguing and picturesque place with very quiet beaches and it has something for all the family. If you are in the area, it is worth a visit and a stroll.
Little Lilly travel tips:
- It is free and quiet.
- Wrap up warm if it’s breezy, as it’s quite open and breezy!
- We usually spent at least an hour plus another hour leisurely walking on the nearby beaches.
Little Lilly Meets the World 