Protected nature Through an eco-responsible approach

Nature is a jewel that must be preserved. The ocean, beaches, marshes and wetlands are the richness of the Bigouden region. Well aware that these exceptional environments are fragile ecosystems, the public authorities have chosen to regulate their use and place certain areas within a special legal framework, to better preserve them.

The Bay of Audierne A life-size nest

In the face of urbanisation, unbroken stretches of wilderness are becoming increasingly rare and precious.

Between Penmarc’h and Audierne, 40 km of beaches and ponds intermingle to form a unique ecosystem, where the dune, the pebble beach and the natural water reservoirs are of underestimated importance. The Bay of Audierne is also home to the largest natural ponds in Finistère: Kergalan and Trunvel, which together cover an area of around 1.7 km².

As a result, the alternation of dry and wet environments is conducive to biodiversity. Fauna and flora benefit from this, including a large community of winged travellers.

Migratory birds include the golden plover, which rests in the dunes from October to February before heading back to Antarctica, the tern, whose distinctive call resounds in spring, and the European bee-eater, with its exceptional plumage. Finally, the long-necked gravelot, made famous by its fragility, nests at the top of the beach in spring. Its eggs blend in with the sand and pebbles.

Find out more

Audierne Bay is a little paradise where birds nest in peace. They come here from Africa, the Nordic countries and elsewhere to find relative peace and quiet, but above all to rest.
The importance of this truce phase is underestimated: the birds are fighting the cold, needing to feed and prepare for their future journey before mating. So it’s important to avoid disturbing them, by keeping your dog on a lead on the beach, for example”.

Benjamin Buisson, Head of the Coastline and Biodiversity Unit, Pays Bigouden Sud Community of Municipalities

Regional nature reserve And other labels

The area, which belongs to the Conservatoire du littoral and is managed by the Communauté de communes du Pays bigouden sud, is protected bya number of labels.

Firstly, since 2021, the Ramsar label recognises the ecological interest of the 530 hectares of wetlands in the Bay of Audierne.

It is also a Natura 2000 zone , a European distinction that gives certain sites a high heritage value in terms of the flora and fauna that live there.

The area is also covered by a Regional Nature Reserve Project. The communities of Bigouden communes have launched a classification process that will encompass the Bigouden dunes and paluds. The aim is to provide strong protection for natural areas in order to better preserve this exceptional site and improve knowledge of its biodiversity.

The traveller's charter To raise awareness among residents and visitors

The Traveller’s Charter sets out 12 commandments to promote ” slow tourism “, in other words the art of travelling while taking one’s time, fully immersing oneself in nature and the richness of one’s heritage.

The charter, which has been extended to theregional level, has been adopted by a network of 60 tourist offices in Brittany. The Pays Bigouden Sud and Haut Pays Bigouden tourist offices have produced a video.

Video of the Traveller's Charter

I read the charter or watch the video and discover 12 ideas for responsible travel.
I sign the charter online and when I travel in Brittany, I’m doing something sustainable for a protected area. I sign here
Share the charter and make a commitment to responsible tourism in Brittany.
Share the video!

©Sunrise over the river at Pont-L'Abbé |A. Lamoureux

©Drone view of Audierne Bay |A. Lamoureux

©Nature - Bigouden Country |A. Lamoureux

Protecting the sites during our walks

Here are a few things you can do:

Avoid plastic bottles and keep your water bottle handy when out walking! (They’ll be happy to fill them up for you at tourist offices, if you need them).
Don’t pick or take anything with you! Leave the pebbles in place to maintain the dune and take photos of the flowers rather than picking them.
When we take a short break, make sure there’s no rubbish left behind.
Use publicor softtransport to get around as much as possible.
Protect the gravelot! Be careful as you walk along the top of the beach towards the shore. Its nest and eggs are very difficult to see, so watch out for breakage!
Follow the signs and stay on the paths.
To appreciate the beauty of our landscapes, let’s avoid visiting sites at peak times.
Dogs are not allowed on the beaches of the Pays Bigouden during the summer (even on a lead) – with the exception of Penmarc’h from 8pm to 10am – for health reasons and to protect the flora and fauna.
Protect your favourite Bigouden spots by not sharing them on social networks. Indicating the location of a spot on social networks may seem harmless, but it can have major repercussions for the site, such as increased visitor numbers and an impact on the environment.