Pointe du Raz, located at the westernmost tip of Finistère, is an iconic site of Brittany, where nature expresses itself with raw power.

Swept by the winds and the waves of the Atlantic, it offers a breathtaking landscape of steep cliffs and wild moorlands, sculpted by the elements over centuries.

Its name comes from the Breton word raz, meaning “fast current,” in reference to the violent swirls of the Raz de Sein, which have long made this area one of the most feared passages for sailors. Navigation here was particularly perilous, as evidenced by the numerous shipwrecks recorded in these waters, including that of the Drummond Castle in 1896, which claimed over 200 lives. To make this sector safer, several lighthouses were built, starting with the Tévennec lighthouse in 1875, followed by the La Vieille lighthouse in 1887. Tévennec is even reputed to be haunted due to the extreme living conditions endured by its keepers, who often suffered hallucinations after long periods of isolation.

But while the maritime history of Pointe du Raz is marked by these tragic stories, the site is also known for its harsh and unpredictable climate. Exposed to the onslaught of the ocean, the headland is regularly battered by violent winds, sometimes reaching extreme speeds. On October 15, 1987, an exceptionally intense storm swept through the region, recording a gust of 193 km/h at Pointe du Raz. In December 1999, Storm Martin once again struck the Breton coast, with winds exceeding 170 km/h. More recently, on the night of November 1 to 2, 2023, Storm Ciaran set a new record with a gust of 207 km/h, turning Pointe du Raz into a spectacle of oceanic fury, where waves reached several dozen meters in height.

Despite these extreme conditions, Pointe du Raz continues to captivate and attracts many visitors each year in search of authenticity. The coastal path of the GR34, which runs along the cliffs, offers a chance to discover this wild nature, where gorse and heather moorlands contrast with the endless blue of the ocean. Far from being just a scenic viewpoint, Pointe du Raz is a true symbol of Brittany: an untamed place where the power of the elements, human memory, and the raw beauty of a breathtaking landscape come together.