The fine sandy beach at the tip of the Arzon peninsula, the Phare de Port-Navalo and the harbour show different sides of the area. Add to these the cultural programme at the Criée, a coastal path and cruises on the Golfe du Morbihan. This gives you a choice of beach, architectural history, arts and crafts, and explorations on foot or on the water when planning your trip.
Beach, Harbour and Promenade
Port Navalo beach has fine sand. Nearby, there are car parks, a lifeguard station, picnic tables, restaurants, beach clubs and a playground. A panoramic promenade leads from the south-facing beach to the picturesque north-facing harbour. If you would like to include the harbour as well as the beach, you can follow this route.
Lighthouse and Culture at the Criée
The Phare de Port-Navalo, also known as the Phare d’Arzon, consists of two smooth cylindrical masonry towers on a structure with visible stone quoins. Its main construction phases took place in 1840 and 1894. This gives architecture enthusiasts both its distinctive form and two important construction phases to explore; the site can also be viewed through the lens of its architectural history.
The Criée de Port-Navalo offers a varied year-round programme of culture and arts and crafts, including exhibitions, artist residencies and an arts and crafts market. It can be visited before departing for Belle-Île-en-Mer or taking a cruise around the Golfe du Morbihan. This lets you fit a cultural visit in before a boat trip; at the same time, the Criée has its own programme beyond this opportunity to visit.
Cruises or a Coastal Route
Five sea transport companies offer cruises on the Golfe du Morbihan from the port of Port-Navalo, with or without stopovers. From Port-Navalo, you can travel to Île aux Moines, Île d’Arz and Gavrinis, or along the Rivière d’Auray. To make your choice, you could first consider whether you would prefer a trip with or without stopovers, then compare the destinations listed.
For an exploration on foot, take the Le Petit Mousse trail. It follows the coastal path from Port-Navalo to the entrance of the Golfe du Morbihan, passes Port-Sable beach and leads to the Tombe du Petit Mousse. This puts a named coastal route and cruises side by side as different ways to explore: on foot along the coast or on the water, with a choice of destinations.
Maritime Events
The Grandes Régates de Port-Navalo maintain an event tradition that dates back more than 130 years. The programme includes traditional boats, Belle Plaisance, modern yachting sports regattas and festive activities celebrating Morbihan’s maritime and cultural heritage. In addition, every two years the Criée is the main venue for the Semaine du Golfe. If you would like to plan your trip around an event, check the specific dates in advance.
Discover more destinations: Guilliers, Rohan, Etel, Questembert, Landévant, Berric, Treffléan, Saint-Servant.
For the main travel overview: Morbihan.
