EZTrip.com International Destination Guide and Hotel Listings

Though on the whole the exposed southwestern extremities of Brittany are not areas you'd immediately associate with a classic summer sun-and-sand holiday, AUDIERNE , 25km west of Douarnenez on the Bay of Audierne, is an exception. An active fishing port, specializing in prawns and crayfish, it spreads along the northern shore of the Goyen estuary a short way back from the sea. From the town centre, the road continues just over 1km to the long, curving and surprisingly sheltered beach of Ste-Evette.

Audierne's tourist office is on the main square in the heart of town, at 8 rue Victor-Hugo (July & Aug Mon-Sat 9am-7pm; rest of year Mon-Sat 9.30am-noon & 3-6pm; tel 02.98.70.12.20). On the seaward side of the road to Ste-Evette beach is the hotel   Au Roi Gradlon , in a superb position facing the mouth of the estuary at 3 bd Manu-Brusq (tel 02.98.70.04.51; 300-400F/¬46-61; closed Sun evening, Mon Oct-May & Jan to mid-Feb). Its unusual design means that the street-level dining room - where the 120F/¬18.29 menu includes fresh tuna steaks - is in fact on the top storey, with several further floors, concealed from the road, dropping down below it to the beach.