The Guesclin Cove from Pointe des Grands Nez to Pointe du Nid

This section ofthe GR® 34trail, which leads to the legendary Pointe du Grouin, has been used by some of the great names in French history: the family of Constable Bertrand du Guesclin, the writer Colette and the singer Léo Ferré.
Follow in their footsteps from Touesse Beach along theGR® 34 from Pointe des Grands Nez to Pointe du Nid.
On the way back, you will pass by the Malouinière La Motte aux Chauff.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.50 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 95 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 90 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 45 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 6 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Saint-Coulomb (35350)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 48.689368° / W 1.922003°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 1116ET, 1215OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

There are two car parks on either side of the D201 at La Touesse (in the commune of Saint-Coulomb).

(S/E) Take the path that runs alongside the car park down to La Tousse beach, passing the Roz Ven property of the writer Colette (now owned by the General Council) on your left. TheGR®34starts at the entrance to the beach on the right. The trail follows the rocky coastline with a few steep sections and steps towards Pointe des Grands Nez.

(1) Continue along the coastal path towards Anse du Guesclin. Shortly before the D201, on the right, you will see the shelter used by customs officers to monitor illegal unloading of goods.

(2) The path leads to the D201 and Anse du Guesclin beach, at the car park. You must take this path to access the beach.

(2) Walk the entire length of the beach and climb back up the seawall via the concrete staircase opposite the fort.

(3) TheGR®34resumes at the end of the sea wall, at the foot of the cliff, towards Pointe du Nid. It overlooks Fort du Guesclin, and after Pointe du Nid, it descends to Petit Port Beach.

(4) Leave the shore on the right towards the car park and the small road that leads to the D201. Take it on the right for 30 metres (watch out for traffic).

(5) In the bend of the D21, Rue Hurlevent opens up on the left, leading to the hamlet of Le Verger le Moulin. At the beginning of the street, turn right onto the bridle path that leads to the beach road.

(6) Take the road on the left, using the pavement. After 100 metres, leave the pavement and take the gravel path that continues along it. The path runs alongside ponds hidden by vegetation, turns and climbs towards the houses of the hamlet of La Ville Énoux.

(7) Follow the main street to the right until you reach the intersection with a road leading out of the village.

(8) Turn left onto this road and, after a few dozen metres, a bridle path opens up on the right, leading to a road that passes in front of the Malouinière La Motte aux Chauff.

(9) Pass the Malouinière and, at the bend, take the path on the right which crosses a road and leads to the D74 at the hamlet of L'Ermitage.

(10) Turn right onto the D74, which joins the D201, then left into the La Touesse car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 38 m - La Touesse car park (Saint-Coulomb)
  2. 1 : km 0.93 - alt. 18 m - Pointe des Grands Nez
  3. 2 : km 2.56 - alt. 15 m - Route D201
  4. 3 : km 3.75 - alt. 8 m - Seawall at the end of Anse du Guesclin beach
  5. 4 : km 4.79 - alt. 10 m - Petit Port Beach
  6. 5 : km 5.22 - alt. 22 m - Entrance to the bridle path
  7. 6 : km 5.79 - alt. 7 m - Crossroads on the road to the beach.
  8. 7 : km 6.55 - alt. 35 m - Entrance to La Ville Énoux
  9. 8 : km 6.9 - alt. 40 m - Exit the hamlet
  10. 9 : km 7.81 - alt. 44 m - La Motte aux Chauffe Malouinière
  11. 10 : km 8.61 - alt. 43 m - Hermitage hamlet
  12. S/E : km 9.5 - alt. 38 m - La Touesse car park (Saint-Coulomb)

Notes

NB: Very busy in summer: car park often full.

Worth a visit

In 1026, the du Guesclin family built the first fort, comprising three towers and a keep with a 33-metre-deep cistern. After the fort was occupied by the English, the du Guesclin family, judging the site to be dangerous, left it in 1259 to settle in the hinterland (Constable Bertrand du Guesclin was born in 1320, so he did not stay there). Around 1500, the building was dismantled.
Between 1756 and 1758, Vauban built this defensive structure against English attacks, with a cannon platform, powder magazine and barracks.
In 1826, the military structure was no longer needed and was sold. It had a succession of owners, including the singer Léo Ferré, who lived there from 1959 to 1968. Purchased from his heirs in 1996, the structure has been magnificently restored by the current owner.
The fort is accessible at low tide but is not open to visitors.

La Malouinière La Motte aux Chauff is one of the first to have been built (1680). It can be visited by appointment.
Of the twenty or so malouinières built in the 17th and 18th centuries in the Saint-Coulomb area, seven remain, including La Ville Bague, which is open to visitors.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 10 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
User 28055583

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike between land and sea. The estimated duration should not be overlooked. The section of the customs officers' path takes time. Very pretty landscapes in November.

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Guy THIÉRART
Guy THIÉRART

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk and superb, magnificent view

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FRZ59
FRZ59

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, easy hike, the first part offers magnificent views. However, the end of the route, once you leave the coastline, is a bit boring, with not much shade (we did it on a very sunny day when it was 30°C).

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lauzerte1851
lauzerte1851

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Bright sunshine but very breezy. The coastline is magnificent.

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Pchretien
Pchretien

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike with stunning scenery.

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ferrouillat
ferrouillat

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It's always a pleasure to stroll along the customs officers' path and enjoy the sea view.
No difficulty, with the possibility of shortcuts if necessary.
Be careful when crossing roads! But apart from that, the landscape is varied.

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les tho
les tho

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

beautiful and varied route: along the coast and through cabbage fields

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HELENE 35
HELENE 35

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I put it down to the route because we found the end of the circular (once you leave the coast) a bit boring.
Otherwise, the entire route along the coast is absolutely wonderful, a real gem.
We never do the same hike twice, but I think we'll do this one again, if only to show it to other hikers.
We were delighted to have done it.

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Joseph35830
Joseph35830
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk along the coast. The inland section is also pleasant.

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pat.garnier
pat.garnier

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, just the way we like it!

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