Boats arrive in the port of GuilvinecBoats arrive in the port of Guilvinec
©Boats arrive in the port of Guilvinec|A. Lamoureux
Le Guilvinec

Le Guilvinec

Coming to Le Guilvinec means living to the rhythm of the tides and the fishing returns. It is one of the leading small-scale fishing ports in France and is the pride of the Bigouden region. It’s also a town with plenty of shops.

Getting there

A day at the rhythm of the tides

To visit Le Guilvinec is to be constantly turned towards the sea and its surroundings. Fishing is the local economic activity for which the town is famous. You’ll come across fishermen, fishmongers, caseyeurs, fishmongers… But above all, you’ll be able to visit Haliotika, a unique place designed around the world of sea fishing: guided tour of the coastal auction, guided discovery of the fishing return and a discovery area on the fishing trades.

And then the coast will beckon. Rocky out crops and water sportsbeaches line this typical commune, which is so proud of its heritage.

Along the way, you’ll come across relics and buildings inherited from history: chapels, megaliths, fountains and wash-houses.

Le Guilvinec also has a lively town centre, with more than fifty shops and craftsmen offering local products and Bigouden designers. If there’s one event you won’t want to miss, it’s the two bigmarkets, on Tuesdays and Sunday mornings, mostly in the main street (rue de la Marine) and around the church.

In 2019, Le Guilvinec joined the Sensation Bretagne network. This network, created in 1992, brings together 30 coastal resorts in Brittany. Linked by the GR® 34, they form a group driven by their passion for the region, united by a strong identity and shared values focused on eco-responsible tourism.

Le Guilvinec is renowned for its varied landscapes, with harbour, beaches, rocky points and valleys, and for the diversity of activities on offer.

The must-haves

Between total immersion and discovering a little-known maritime world as a family, our guides will take you on a must-see tour of the fish auction! Come aboard a recreation of a deep-sea trawler and discover the details of life on board.

The second exhibition, “All good things come from fish”, is new for 2026.
The Hannexe offers you the chance to taste langoustines or quench your thirst while enjoying a breathtaking view of the ocean.

All year round (except for gale-force winds), you can watch the trawlers pulling into the quayside. From the auction’s roof terrace, it’s easy to see the fishermen handling crates full of fish and shellfish.

The fishingboats arrivefrom Monday to Friday from 4pm (excluding public holidays).

Immerse yourself in the professional world of fish buyers and sellers, otherwise known as fishmongers. A visit to the coastal fish auction is a unique experience.

You’ll witness the auction of freshly landed scampi and fish . Our guides will explain how the auction works and tell you a few anecdotes about the fish and shellfish.

Monday to Friday from 4pm. Public holidays excluded.

Every year from June to the end of October, the town hosts the Guilvinec Photo Festival – Sharing the Sea.

This event showcases the diversity of living conditions, culture, work and leisure pursuits of men and women around the world who are linked to the seas and oceans.

The varied images adorn the walls and alleyways of the two towns of Guilvinec and Léchiagat, with some large prints.

To see the trawlers return to Guilvinec, you can come on board with Soizen. Aboard a comfortable RIB, you’ll escort the boats back to the quayside (Soizen also offers other trips to see grey seals and fishing).

Bigouden cruises also offer sea excursions from Le Guilvinec to Saint-Guénolé and Lesconil.

Ultra-freshness seafood products

After a day in Guilvinec , there’s nothing better than sampling the day’s catch. Savour langoustines, crab, shellfish, oysters and fresh fish… accompanied by buttered bread, a delicious mayonnaise, a preparation worthy of a Bigouden chef or a recipe devised by you!

There are several ways to buy seafood. You can go to a fishmonger’s and cook it yourself, or enjoy a seafood platter in one of Guilvinec’s restaurants. Please note that seafood platters often have to be booked in advance. You can also go to l’Hannexe, located on the Haliotika terrace. On the menu: freshly caught langoustines, of course!

Fish and shellfish should not blind us to other delights from the sea: seaweed! These are harvested on the foreshore. If you want to do things the right way, contact Scarlette Le Corre, a seaweed grower from Le Guilvinec. This singular woman harvests and processes seaweed for gourmets. Well-known in France and beyond, she offers workshops to the public on how to harvest and cook seaweed!

The beaches du Guilvinec

The Grève jaune beach is just a stone’s throw from the port. The Grève blanche beach, close to Penmarc’h, offers a view of the maritime activity, with numerous sailboats and other boats on the horizon. Thanks to the nearby nautical centre, you may be tempted by a session of windsurfing, dinghy sailing or catamaran sailing… Aquazen also offers longe-côte sessions.

FAQ

Continue on your way in the Bigouden region