The small town of Piriac-sur-Mer is at the western end of the Guerande peninsula in the Loire-Atlantique department of north-west France, and about 15 kilometres north-west of the historic town of Guerande.
Visiting Piriac-sur-Mer
Start your visit with a stroll around the port which is the centre of the town and contains a mix of fishing boats and pleasure boats.
Behind the port, Piriac is a very traditional Breton town with sturdy granite houses dating largely from the 17th and 18th centuries, and the substantial church of Saint-Pierre, built in the second half of the 18th century. There are various small shops and restaurants in the streets of the old town.
Because of this traditional architecture Piriac is officially listed as a 'Petite Cité de Caractère des Pays de La Loire' (small city of character of the Pays de la Loire), as well as being a 3* village fleurie (towns in bloom).
You can learn more about the history of Piriac-sur-Mer at the Maison du Patrimoine (3 place Henri Vignioboul) which has some local objects of interest and a large number of postcards showing Piriac at the start of the 20th century.
Piriac-sur-Mer beaches
Apart from the town itself it is of course the beaches that are much of the attraction at Piriac-sur-Mer and there are several kilometres of beaches either side of the town, with a mix of sandy beaches and rocky beaches, and also areas of cliffs.
The principal beach in the town centre is a short distance to the west of the port at Plage Saint-Michel, with parking usually available next to the beach in Place du Lehn. The Plage du Castelli a little further west is also popular and in a picturesque setting below the cliffs.
There are further beaches if you take the road north-east of the town such as the Plage de Pors-Er-Ster just beyond Port au Loup, or for a south-facing beach travel south of Piriac-sur-Mer towards Lerat for a pretty little beach (the Plage de Lerat) with a small port.
Attractions nearby
Be sure to follow the walk around the headland called the Pointe du Castelli while you are here, which has lovely views along the coast and out to sea. If possible follow the coastal path as far as Lérat, along a very scenic part of the coast with cliffs and small sandy coves.
The coast around Piriac-Sur-Mer is called the Cote d'Amour and includes the resort of La Baule and the port town of Le Croisic. You will also want to visit the fortified town of Guerande during your stay in the region.
Explore elsewhere in the Cote d'Amour. You can find more travel ideas in the Loire-Atlantique guide and the Pays de la Loire guide.
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Map of Piriac-sur-Mer and places nearby
Visit near Piriac-sur-Mer with France This Way reviews
La Turballe
Less developed than some resorts here, the centre of activity in La Turballe is the long sandy beach
La Turballe guide
Le Croisic
One of the nicest fishing harbour towns in the region, Le Croisic is a lovely place to stroll around
Le Croisic guide
Guerande
Guerande is one of the most interesting towns in Pays-de-la-Loire, with its medieval fortifications intact and an attractive historic centre
Guerande guide
Batz-sur-Mer
The resort at Batz-sur-Mer is much quiter and smaller than many nearby, ideal if you prefer to avoid excessive crowds!
Batz-sur-Mer guide
Le Pouliguen
If you visit the beach resort of Le Pouligueun be sure to follow the path that leads to the coastal caves
Le Pouliguen guide
La Baule
La Baule-Escoblac is a very pleasant and popular resort with a long sandy beach - a toch of the French riviera in the north-west!
La Baule guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Loire-Atlantique
Address: Piriac-sur-Mer, Guérande, Saint-Nazaire, Pays de la Loire, 44420, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 47.3808, longitude -2.545
Plan your visit to Piriac-sur-Mer, Loire-Atlantique
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Guerande: recommended detour (11 km)
- Marais Salants de Guérande: site of natural beauty (12 km)
- La Baule: ville fleurie 4* (16 km)
- Pornichet: ville fleurie 4* (20 km)
- Briere: regional natural parc (21 km)
- Presqu'île de Rhuys: site of natural beauty (23 km)
- Parc zoologique du château de Branféré: zoo or wildlife park (26 km)
- Embouchure - Rivière de Noyalo: site of natural beauty (27 km)
- Passage Saint-Armel: site of natural beauty (27 km)
- Presqu'île de la Villeneuve: site of natural beauty (27 km)
- Anse de Mancel: site of natural beauty (28 km)
- Réserve naturelle nationale des marais de Séné: site of natural beauty (29 km)
Market days in Piriac-sur-Mer, France
A seasonal market is held in Piriac-sur-Mer on Monday.
A seasonal market is held in Piriac-sur-Mer on Wednesday & Saturday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Piriac-sur-Mer (Francais)