There’s some terrific running in Saint-Nazaire, a small coastal city in southeast Brittany. The highlight is the many km of waterfront path, with Parc Paysager a nice add-on. There’s also a nice loop around Bois Joalland Lake.
Waterfront Path. A waterfront promenade extends from Le Grand Plage in central Saint-Nazaire southwest for many km, following the main road and then a section of the longer-distance Chem. des Douaniers. We’ve mapped 7.3 km as far as the d’Aiguillon Lighthouse. The first 2.5 km is a paved, lit waterfront promenade, and then past Villès-Martin Beach, you’ll follow the gravel Ch. Douaniers. It’s a good surface, gentle rolling hills. Great views! Distances:
3 km: Plage Villès-Martin (Plage=Beach)
5 km: Plage de Porcé
Parc Paysager. Join this park from Bd Albert 1er, at the 1.5 km mark of the waterfront path. It’s a ~2.5 km loop around the pleasant paths of this city park. Nice and open, with a small lake. Just west of the park is the Léo Lagrange Sports Complex, which has fields and a running track.
Bois Joalland Lake. Google Street View
Bois Joalland Lake Loop. There’s a lovely 3.6 km dirt path around the lake, which is a combination of more open terrain with lake views and some wooded sections. Flat, with a good surface.
There’s some terrific running in Saint-Nazaire, a small coastal city in southeast Brittany. The highlight is the many km of waterfront path, with Parc Paysager a nice add-on. There’s also a nice loop around Bois Joalland Lake.
Waterfront Path. A waterfront promenade extends from Le Grand Plage in central Saint-Nazaire southwest for many km, following the main road and then a section of the longer-distance Chem. des Douaniers. We’ve mapped 7.3 km as far as the d’Aiguillon Lighthouse. The first 2.5 km is a paved, lit waterfront promenade, and then past Villès-Martin Beach, you’ll follow the gravel Ch. Douaniers. It’s a good surface, gentle rolling hills. Great views! Distances:
3 km: Plage Villès-Martin (Plage=Beach)
5 km: Plage de Porcé
Parc Paysager. Join this park from Bd Albert 1er, at the 1.5 km mark of the waterfront path. It’s a ~2.5 km loop around the pleasant paths of this city park. Nice and open, with a small lake. Just west of the park is the Léo Lagrange Sports Complex, which has fields and a running track.
Bois Joalland Lake. Google Street View
Bois Joalland Lake Loop. There’s a lovely 3.6 km dirt path around the lake, which is a combination of more open terrain with lake views and some wooded sections. Flat, with a good surface.
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Essentials
Promenade Path: Up to 7.3 km (4.5 miles) one-way; Lake Loop: 3.6 km (2.2 miles)
Promenade Path is gentle rolling hills; Lake Loop is flat
See route description
Parking areas and also a train station in Saint-Nazaire
Some terrific running options in Brittany's capital city. We've put together a tour of central Rennes, including three notable parks, and routes on paths along the Vilaine River east to Champagne Park and south to the Apigné Lakes.
Long, flat run on waterfront promenade for up to 7.6 km between Pornichet and Le Pouliguen. The beach is also very runnable. In Le Pouliguen, there's also some nice running along the Quai around the marina.
A scenic loop around Le Croisic, a peninsula sticking out into the Bay of Biscay. A gravel path on the water side with good footing parallels the main road, offering scenic views the whole way. Full loop is 9.3 km, but can be shortened by ~1 km at the end.
A scenic running tour of the walled town of Vannes, combining some historic sites, parks, quai-side paths along La Marle, and a jaunt out to L'Île de Conleau.
A nice run along Quai-side paths along the Auray River (Rivière d'Auray). Includes the historic Pont de Saint-Goustan (bridge), and a jaunt around the historic center to the Église Saint-Gildas. Nice water views, and colorful homes.
The west side of the Quiberon peninsula -- known as the Côte Sauvage -- is one of the most spectacular places for a run in Brittany. A gravel path runs atop the cliffs alongside the road, among dunes and shrubland, with great water views. Gorgeous at sunset!
In the seaport town of Lorient, two decent running options: a series of paths along the Scorff River, including a loop around Parc du Bois du Château; and the Voie Verte des Kaolins, a multi-use path winding through the countryside toward Plomeur.
Nice running options along both banks of the Odet River in this Brittany town known for its half-timbered houses, Quimper Cathedral, Breton museums, and faience pottery. We've created routes along the east and west banks, including Prom. du Mont Frugy.
Some lovely running in Brest: a series of waterfront paths extending east to Pointe Saint-Georges; a 2.8 km path through the Botanical Gardens; and lovely, wooded trails in the nearby Bois de Kéroual
One of the best sections for coastal path running in Brittany. A continuous gravel path, flat with good footing, runs above the cliffs alongside the D127 road. Wonderful views of the crashing waves below and a great option at sunset. More of a trail run.
One of the more scenic coastal routes in Brittany, famous for the 'pink cliffs'. This section of the Sentier des Douaniers is an easy-ish trail run. Wonderful views! See our route notes for important tips.
Car-free island located a short ferry ride from the mainland is special to visit and special for running. 35+ km of paved & gravel paths around rolling farmland terrain, lighthouses, historic churches, a water mill. Wonderful variety & views.
A unique & scenic running experience in Brittany! In Saint-Jacut-de-la-Mer, run along a tidal flat to the Ébihens Archipelago, an island with scenic paths out to a viewpoint. Can only be done at low tide. Tidal flats section surface can vary.
A favorite run in Brittany becuause of the great water views from 70m high, and the option to run on a dedicated multi-use path or 'trail run' on the coastal trail.
This route in Dinard has it all: historic aristocratic villas, a charming old town, breathtaking views of the sea and the walled city of Saint-Malo, and a festive beach. Up to 4.5 km one-way, with good add-on options.
A fantastic run in this famous port city, combining a jaunt on the Old City Walls and waterfront paths along Sillon Beach & Bas Sablons marina. Add-ons include charming interior streets, Grand Bé & Fort National (at low tide). Beaches also runnable.
Home to one of the largest marshes in France. While much of the park can be explored by boat through the canals and flooded plains, there are some wonderful quiet roads and paths in the park as well. The interactive map is a good resource.
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Essentials
Promenade Path: Up to 7.3 km (4.5 miles) one-way; Lake Loop: 3.6 km (2.2 miles)
Promenade Path is gentle rolling hills; Lake Loop is flat
See route description
Parking areas and also a train station in Saint-Nazaire
Review or Comment on This Route/Share a Photo!
Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!