The GR®34 Coastal Trail, or Customs Officers Path, in Pornichet: 4 km between contemplation and escape
The GR®34 is a thread stretching more than 2,000 kilometres along the Breton coastline, from Baie du Mont-Saint-Michel all the way to Saint-Nazaire. It is known as the Customs Officers Path because it follows routes created in 1791 to monitor the coastline and combat salt smuggling. In Pornichet, this historic trail runs over 4 kilometres along the shoreline, between Pointe du Bé and Pointe de la Lande. Locals simply call it the coastal path. People come here to wander, read, run or walk their dog. Different rhythms, one shared horizon.
Strolling the coastal path, bench after bench facing the Atlantic
You do not always walk to move forward. Sometimes, you simply walk to find the perfect place to sit. Through Pornichet’s coastal path, benches are scattered along the route, facing the open sea. You settle down with a book, watch sailboats in the distance and listen to the sound of the waves. Time slows down — and often, that is exactly why you came.
The path alternates between small coves, low cliffs, sandy beaches and protected natural areas. Walking west from Pointe du Bé, you first pass the marina before reaching a wilder stretch of coastline. The trail winds gently, pine trees lean overhead and the horizon suddenly widens. Further on, Plage de Sainte-Marguerite stretches endlessly when the tide retreats. You head down onto the sand and stay a little longer. The coastal path is not a route to complete — it is a collection of pauses, chosen stops and detours towards the shoreline.
Perhaps that is what makes these four kilometres so unique: they were created for slowing down. Hiking enthusiasts restored these paths beginning in 1967, but here in Pornichet, it almost feels as though they were created for people who prefer stopping over walking.
Running, hiking or walking your dog along the GR34
The coastal path also has a more active side. Runners know it well: four kilometres facing the ocean, varied ground underfoot between sand, soil, and rock, with the wind either pushing or resisting depending on the direction. People run here early in the morning while the light remains soft, or late in the day when the sunset sets the shoreline ablaze. The trail offers a training ground few running routes can rival.
For hikers, Pornichet’s section forms part of the larger GR®34 route. It can be enjoyed as one stage of a much longer itinerary linking Pornichet with neighbouring coastal towns. Detailed route maps are available free of charge at the Tourist Office for anyone planning a longer adventure.
And then there are those walking with a four-legged companion. Dogs are welcome on leash all year round. Autumn and winter are especially appreciated, when the trail regains its quieter, more peaceful atmosphere.
The Pornichet coastal path: everything you need to know
The route stretches from Pointe du Bé to Pointe de la Lande over 4 kilometres. It can be explored in either direction, entirely at your own pace. A detailed map is available free of charge from the Tourist Office.
