Pen-Hir cape

Pointe de Pen-Hir juts out from the Crozon peninsula in Finistère, just southwest of Camaret-sur-Mer, and ranks among Brittany's most photographed headlands. Its plateau sits roughly 63 metres above the Atlantic, edged by cliffs up to 70 metres high carved from Armorican sandstone some 460 million years old.

What makes this headland famous?

The Tas de Pois rock stacks

Offshore, six rugged islets rise from the sea in a line known as the Tas de Pois. Each carries its own Breton name — Grand Dahouët, Petit Dahouët, Penn-Glaz ("green head"), Ar Forc'h ("the fork"), Chelott and Bern Id ("the grain heap"). Shaped by centuries of Atlantic swell, they form the single most recognisable silhouette along this stretch of coast.

A memorial on the cliff top

Standing at the tip of the point is the Monument to the Bretons of Free France, often called the Pen-Hir Cross, unveiled by General Charles de Gaulle in 1960. It honours Breton volunteers who joined the Free French forces during the Second World War.

Panoramic views

On clear days, the plateau offers sightlines toward the Pointe du Raz, the islands of Sein and Ouessant, and the Pointe Saint-Mathieu — a rare stretch of Brittany where several major landmarks line up in a single view. Late afternoon light is especially prized here, when the rock stacks stand out sharply against the horizon.

How do visitors reach the site, and what's nearby?

A short drive from central Camaret-sur-Mer leads to a car park at the edge of the protected headland, from where marked footpaths follow the cliff edge. Further inland sit the Lagatjar standing stones, also known as the Toulinguet alignments, a Neolithic megalithic site. Roughly 600 stones were counted there in the 1880s; only a few hundred survive today.

A beach in the shadow of the cliffs

Just alongside the point lies Plage de Pen Hat, a sandy beach tucked beneath the cliffs, favoured by walkers and picnickers for its sheltered outlook over the ocean.

Coastal walking trail

A stretch of the coastal footpath, the sentier des douaniers, crosses the headland, letting visitors extend a stop at Pen-Hir into a longer walk along the cliffs of the Crozon peninsula toward neighbouring coves and viewpoints.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to walk around the headland? Most visitors complete the main loop along the cliff edge in 30 to 60 minutes, depending on how many stops they make for photos.

Is the site suitable for children? The main paths are wide and well maintained, but there are no barriers near the cliff edges, so children need close supervision throughout.

Where does the name Tas de Pois come from? From a distance, the six rock islets resemble a stacked pile — the French phrase translates loosely as "heap of peas," describing their layered silhouette.

Is parking available at the site? Yes, a car park sits at the entrance to the headland, with signposted paths leading out toward the cliffs and the memorial.

What else is worth visiting nearby? Beyond the headland itself, the nearby Plage de Pen Hat and the Lagatjar megaliths are both easy additions, along with the coastal trail that continues further around the Crozon peninsula.