Located on the Côte de Jade, 1 hour's drive from Nantes, Pornic is a charming stopover for a romantic weekend or a family vacation on the Atlantic coast. You'll immediately be seduced by the charm of its town center, port and relaxed lifestyle. Pornic is an invitation to relax, with its magnificent beaches and coves. A coastline you can discover on foot or by bike. And there's plenty to do. Pornic is the perfect destination for both exercise and relaxation, including thalassotherapy! Sports, walks, well-being, gastronomic delights and sea spray are just some of the words and expressions that perfectly describe one of the prettiest seaside resorts located between Brittany and the Vendée. Here are our top 15 must-do activities for a stay in Pornic.
1. A stroll through downtown Pornic
Discovering Pornic starts with a stroll around the harbor. It's always a pleasure to soak up the town's maritime atmosphere, admiring the masts of the boats and listening to the sound of the seagulls. Along Quai Leray, café terraces welcome locals and visitors alike to enjoy the view over a drink. The staircase leads from the port to the upper town. A maze of cobbled streets offers visitors the chance to contemplate the low-slung houses with their white facades. The historic quarter is also home to cafés, restaurants and pretty little boutiques.
2. Admire the Château de Pornic
Born of a simple keep built on a rocky spur in the middle of the 10th century, its current appearance dates from the 19th century. It's easy to see from just about anywhere in the city. The best way to take in the sights is along the Quai du Commandant L'Herminier. Here, photo enthusiasts can indulge themselves, with the building, the boats and the inlet in their sights. On the other side, you can also walk along the promenade on stilts, taking in the view from the roof and the harbour. The Château de Pornic is privately owned. Contact the Tourist Office for a guided tour of the interior.
3. Visit Faïencerie de Pornic
Who hasn't seen the famous blue and white bowl with the name written on it? Well, they come from Pornic, and more specifically from theFaïencerie de Pornicrenowned for its Breton style, inherited from a tradition dating back to the 18th century. The company offers guided tours of its premises, including to private customers, as well as decoration workshops. A great opportunity for holidaymakers to learn the art of earthenware painting. The name bowl is of course the company's flagship product, but it also offers many other creations, including the divider dish, which can be used to cut a pie, quiche or pizza into equal parts, whatever the number of guests in the house.
4. Enjoy the most beautiful beaches
One of Pornic' s most popular activities is to follow the coastal path to its most beautiful stretches of sand. The town has a wealth of beautiful beaches and wild coves with a more intimate atmosphere. La Noëveillard beach is ideally located, at the foot of the marina. La Birochère beach is a real little paradise, set between the rocks. Its calm waters are a summertime delight. At the foot of the thalasso, visitors can also enjoy the enchanting setting of Plage de la Source. Between Pornic and La Bernerie, we also recommend a visit to Plage de la Boutinardière, where you can enjoy the ocean, the rocky cliffs at the back and the pretty fisheries.
5. Follow the Sentier des Douaniers
Pornic is a destination offering magnificent sea views. One of the most beautiful walks in the area is the Sentier des Douaniers (GR8). From Plage de l'Etang to Plage de la Boutinardière, the views of the beaches and wild coves are endless. Enjoy the sea spray and the many other features that complete the scenery, such as Belle Époque villas and fisheries. Recommended for photo enthusiasts. It's a big hit in summer, when hikers take the opportunity to swim. But really, each season has its own charm. All year round!
6. Cycling around Pornic
If you're a keen cyclist, you'll want to take advantage of your stay in Pornic to hop on a bike and get some fresh air. There are a number of itineraries to choose from in the area. Cyclists can start by following sections of the Vélodyssée, which crosses Brittany and runs along the Atlantic to the Basque coast. In Pornic, you can take advantage of this stretch to marvel at the natural surroundings of the seaside resort. Another option is to head further north along the Vélocéan. Between La Plaine-sur-Mer and Préfailles, you'll cross the countryside before enjoying lovely views of the sea.
7. Treat yourself to a thalasso treatment
Couples wishing to discover Pornic can take advantage of the opportunity to stay at the Alliance Pornic Thalasso & Spa, a 4-star hotel located just above the charming Plage de la Source. A full range of rejuvenating treatments is on offer. The great thing about this establishment is that you don't have to be a hotel guest to spend time in its aquatic fitness area. Families can enjoy the heated seawater aquatic course, the jacuzzi, the eucalyptus hammam, the sauna or the waterfall showers. A pure moment of relaxation overlooking the ocean.
Another good reason to make Pornic one of the must-sees in Nantes and the surrounding region!
8. A trip out to sea in the Bay of Pornic
From Pornic, several companies offer sea outings. These outings allow you to discover the beauty of the Côte de Jade, both during the day and at sunset. Another option is to cross the Baie de Bourgneuf from Pornic to the neighboring island of Noirmoutier in the Vendée. In summer, two round trips are offered daily. And then, one of the most beautiful maritime excursions takes place aboard the "Corsaires de Retz", a magnificent 18 m-long privateer ship. The program includes a tour of the Pornicais coast, its beaches and pretty villas. A stopover in Noirmoutier is also proposed.
9. Visit exceptional megalithic sites
A stay in Pornic takes you back in time. In the 4th millennium BC, the Loire estuary was home to megalithic architecture, including transept tombs. Around Pornic, you can start by admiring the Dolmen de Joseliere, with its beautiful view of the sea. Another remarkable funerary monument is the Mousseaux tumulus to the north of the marina. Both are listed historic monuments. Members of the "Association Mégalithes en Retz" offer guided tours of these valuable sites. Further information at the Tourist Office.
10. A visit to the Atelier St-Michel
Pornic is a great place to fall back into childhood. It's not only here that the famous bols-prénom are made, but also in the neighboring commune of Saint-Michel-Chef-Chef, where the famous galettes St-Michel are made and distributed throughout France. A visit to the Atelier St-Michel is a fun activity to do with children. A stroll through a unique production workshop. It's an opportunity to discover new recipes on the spot, in the café for example. An activity that appeals to gourmets, children and adults alike!
11. Try your hand at golf in Pornic
The seaside resort of Pornic boasts a magnificent golf course. It is located behind the 19th-century villas that dominate the entrance to the bay. The setting is superb, with plenty of trees and just a stone's throw from the sea. Regulars enjoy the 18-hole course to practice their favorite sport and perfect their shots. Golf Bluegreen Pornic has a real desire to open up this sport to a wider public. That's why it also has an 18-hole mini golf course. So why not take advantage of your stay in Pornic to take the plunge?
12. Visit the Le Curé Nantais cheese dairy
Le Curé Nantais is a whole cow's milk cheese produced in Pornic since 1985. It is available in a variety of recipes: plain, with herbs, smoked with wood shavings, matured with seaweed or with Muscadet. Tours of the cheese dairy are available all year round, allowing visitors to see how the milk is transformed into cheese. An exhibition retraces the 100-year history of this cheese, the oldest in the Nantes region. The visit concludes with a tasting session. Yet another opportunity to discover the secrets behind the production of a local artisanal product.
13. Stroll along the Haute-Perche canal
Despite its small size and confusing name, the Haute-Perche canal is actually a river, 14 km long. It's the perfect place to commune with nature on foot or by bike, skirting the river, admiring the trees and listening to the birdsong. A walk in autumn is an opportunity to see the trees decked out in their most beautiful colors. In summer, it's the perfect place for a kayak outing. Between bocage and forest, you can also admire the fisheries still present on the banks. A great outing to take directly from Pornic harbour.
14. Fishing on foot
Fishing on foot is a not-to-be-missed activity on vacation in Pornic. There are several great spots to choose from. Between the beaches of Montbeau and Grandes Vallées, oysters invade the rocks. Other species include barnacles, periwinkles, curlers and shrimps. Just off Pornic's fishing port, on the Pointe de Gourmalon, the rocks are also covered with oysters. A word of advice: bring your oyster knife, bread, butter and a small bottle of white wine to enjoy a feast right on the rocks.
15. Stroll through the Ria botanical garden
The Ria area used to be an industrial wasteland right in the center of town, but with great potential! It's now a botanical garden designed by landscape architect Thierry Huau, whose project was to bring back to life the days when exotic plants were shipped in from faraway lands. The park, with its waterside paths, camellia-lined rice paddies, wooden pontoons and small waterfalls, is a popular strolling area for both residents and visitors to Pornic. It's a beautiful green space where you can relax and unwind.
Where to stay in Pornic?
Pornic is a popular seaside resort, especially in summer. There are several hotels where you can enjoy the pleasures of the sea in an ideal location.
- Hôtel Salea, for a quiet stay
Located at the entrance to Pornic, the Hôtel Salea features soberly decorated rooms that you can easily book here. All recently refurbished, they offer the utmost in comfort. It's a quiet location, with quick access to the beaches and the thalassotherapy center.
- Les Alizés, for proximity to the port
Brit Hôtel Les Alizés is within easy reach of the port and the city's many restaurants. The rooms are bright and comfortable. Just what you'd expect from a hotel where you can rest easy at night and enjoy a good breakfast in the morning. Click here to book your stay!
- Le Mauritia, relaxing at the spa
Le Mauritia hotel is 2 km from Pornic town center. It's a family-friendly establishment, with the option of booking a room for up to 6 people. There's also a fitness room and a spa with hammam and whirlpool. Click here for rates and availability!
What to do in the Pornic area
The list of things to do around Pornic is long. A 1-hour drive will take you to Nantes, one of France's largest cities. There are numerous shopping districts, lush green parks and an overflowing cultural life, with famous venues such as Le Lieu Unique. Did you enjoy the prefecture of Loire-Atlantique? Find out what to do on a weekend in Nantes!
Just 39 km north of Pornic, La Baule is the perfect place to enjoy a 9 km long beach, eat a delicious galette and admire its opulent villas. In fact, don't miss the 13 must-sees in La Baule!
Le Croisic is another option. Just a 1-hour drive from Pornic, you can stroll along the wild coastline, fish and discover the Océarium du Croisic. Quite simply, this is one of France's largest aquariums, with over 4,000 animals in 56 tanks.
