Saint-Brevin-les-Pins travel guide
Visit Saint-Brevin-les-Pins (Pays de la Loire, France)
Book a visitSaint-Brevin-les-Pins is a resort situated on the southern side of the Loire estuary, across the river from Saint-Nazaire. It is the northern limit of the Jade coast.
Exploring Saint-Brevin-les-Pins
Saint-Brevin has been a popular regional seaside resort since the 19th century, and it is still for the coast that most people visit Saint-Brevin-les-Pins - several sandy beaches are close to hand (there are almost 10 kilometres of beaches altogether), much of it backed by sand dunes and pine forests - one of the best is the Roussellerie beach, backed by the Forest of Pierre Attelee.
Numerous activities are available on the safe sandy beaches, with a particular emphasis on 'family friendly' holidays and fun for children with the main beaches all surveyed by lifeguards during holiday season. Sand yachting is one of the most popular beach sports in the region.
France This Way review: it is true that the bridge across the Loire estuary and the view from the beach towards Saint-Nazaire detract a bit from the charm of the resort...
The maritime history of the town can be explored in a small museum in St-Brevin (Place Bougainville). In the vicinity you will also see various concrete 'bunker' type structures built by the Germans during the second World War to defend against allied invasions.
Away from the coast there are some sites of interest. One of these is the Church of Saint Brevin (built and renovated in several stages from the 11th century to the 19th century), which contains a notable altarpiece and statues of Saint-Roch and saint-Brevin.
Also of interest is the presence of several prehistoric megaliths in the town and surounding area - dolmens and menhirs - including the Menhir de la Pierre Attelée (nearly 3m tall); the Fesses du Diable (in the Place de la mairie); a dolmen on the Avenue des rossignols, and several others.
Attractions nearby
When you visit St Brevin one of the first things you will notice is the four kilometre long suspension bridge between St-Brevin-les-Pins and St-Nazaire - useful for reaching the northern part of the department and popular resorts such as La Baule. The bridge is most impressive around twilight when it is lit up.
To the south of Saint-Brevin-les-Pins you can explore the Jade coast and to the north you can explore the Cote d'Amour.
See more seaside resorts in France. You can find more travel ideas in the Loire-Atlantique guide and the Pays de la Loire guide.
Arrange a visit to Saint-Brevin-les-Pins
Hotels in Saint-Brevin-les-Pins
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Map of Saint-Brevin-les-Pins and places nearby
Visit near Saint-Brevin-les-Pins with France This Way reviews
Pornichet
The emphasis in Pornichet, immediately south of La Baule, is most certainly based around the long and sandy beach
Pornichet guide
Jade Coast
Pornic, a traditional port town with an attrcative harbour, is well placed to explore the Jade Coast
Jade Coast guidePornic
Pornic is one of the liveliest and most vibrant harbour towns along the Jade Coast
Pornic 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
Briere Regional Natural Parc
Away from the beaches, Briere Regional Natural Parc is the second largest marsh area in France. Start exploring at Kerhinet.
Briere Regional Natural Parc 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... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Loire-Atlantique
Address: Saint-Brevin-les-Pins, Paimboeuf, Saint-Nazaire, Pays de la Loire, 44250, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 47.248611, longitude -2.165556
Plan your visit to Saint-Brevin-les-Pins, Loire-Atlantique
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Loire Estuaire: site of natural beauty (6 km)
- Pornichet: ville fleurie 4* (14 km)
- Pointe Sainte-Gildas: site of natural beauty (14 km)
- La Baule: ville fleurie 4* (18 km)
- Briere: regional natural parc (18 km)
- Guerande: recommended detour (22 km)
- Marais Salants de Guérande: site of natural beauty (24 km)
- Planète sauvage (parc): zoo or wildlife park (34 km)
- Marais de Vilaine: site of natural beauty (38 km)
- Marais de Machecoul: site of natural beauty (38 km)
- Lac de Grand-Lieu: site of natural beauty (41 km)
- Parc zoologique du château de Branféré: zoo or wildlife park (42 km)
Market days in Saint-Brevin-les-Pins, France
Regular market(s) are held in Saint-Brevin-les-Pins each Wednesday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Saint-Brevin-les-Pins (Francais)