5 of the Most Idyllic French Fishing Villages

Here are five of the most idyllic French fishing ports, where seafood lovers can enjoy wonderful local catches served fresh daily and the frozen-in-time ambience of yesteryear.

The French sea fishing industry is not be what it used to be. Over the past three decades, the number of professional fishing boats registered in the Flotte de Pêche Communautaire’s register, used as a reference by France’s Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, has fallen from 8,771 in 1990, to 4,163 in 2020, a drop of 53%. Still, it remains an important source of local income, representing sales of €1.2bn in 2020. “Fishing and aquaculture are two artisanal sectors whose economic weight may seem small on a national scale, but is significant on a local scale. Firmly rooted in their territories, these activities have a real socio-economic impact and play an important role in regional development and employment,” says the Ministry. One way that visitors to France can support these local economies and their hard-working (and brave) fishermen and women is by heading to fishing ports around the country, buying fresh fish from the market, or dining at the wonderful array of seafood restaurants both on the coast and inland-and by always selecting fish labelled as having been caught in French waters using sustainable techniques that preserve current resources.

Beyond the taste sensation of net-to-plate fish dishes served super-fresh, the great joy of exploring French fishing ports and villages is their perfect picturesqueness, their idyllic, slow-pace of life and that intangible ambience of yesteryear. Unlike the diminished fishing industries around which they once thrived, these places have changed very little… so to plan your own visit, here is the France Today pick of pêche-based eye-pleasers.

1. Barfleur, Manche (Normandy)

Located on the northeastern tip of the Cotentin Peninsula – also known as the Cherbourg Peninsula (thus. handy for ferries from the UK) – gorgeous, moody Barfleur boasts the coveted Plus Beau Village de France label. Its historic seafaring role is marked by a plaque on a rock in the harbour noting this as the port from where William the Conqueror departed before the battle of Hastings in 1066. It is notable for the sturdy grey granite architecture and its Eglise Saint- Nicolas a listed Historic Monument with a marine cemetery which dominates the harbour. As for the fish, get up early to watch the morning catch being unloaded, or try a spot of shore fishing yourself at low tide.

Don’t miss… A steaming bowl of superb moules de Barfleur – wild mussels harvested just out to sea and regulated by the NFM (Normandie Fraîcheur Mer) responsible fishing and quality charter

2. Douarnenez, Finistère (Brittany)

Boasting no fewer than four harbours, Douarnenez is located 25km northwest of Quimper and presents a picture postcard fishing town scene, with cute and colourful cottages, narrow streets with arts and crafts shops and busy quaysides lined with cafés and restaurants. In the 19th century it was a major sardine fishing and canning hub – an activity which continues to a lesser extent to this day. According to Breton mythology, it is here in the Bay of Douarnenez that the city of Ys lies, swallowed up by the ocean. Furthermore, the legend goes that should Paris ever be swallowed, the city of Ys will rise up from under the Breton waves!

Don’t miss… Stroll along the cliffs for a fine panoramic view from the tiny village of Les Plomarc’h.

3. Paimpol, Côtes-d’Armor (Brittany)

A maritime past meets a more artistic present in lovely Paimpol, at the western end of the bay of Saint-Brieuc, where the impressive half-timbered former residences of corsairs and ship-owners today host galleries and restaurants. The town was the departure port for cod fisherman boldly heading off to Newfoundland and Iceland for six months at a time-in 1850, the area had 5,200 registered sailors while at its peak in 1895, the port would have been a forest of 200 masts, with 1,200 local families making a living from fishing. Today, tourism and oyster farming prevail but the vibrant bustle of Paimpol’s past can be experienced to a degree at the super weekly market held on Tuesday mornings.

Don’t miss… The joyous quayside singalong, Paimpol’s Sea Shanty Festival, which runs from August 8 to 10 in 2025.

4. Port-Vendres, Pyrénées- Orientales (Occitanie)

If you are visiting the idyllic coastal village of Collioure on the Côte Vermeille next summer, make sure you put a day aside to venture on to its equally attractive neighbour, the typically Catalan village of Port-Vendres – it’s just ten minutes away by car. It has both history and aesthetics on its side – it was developed by the Romans, who called it Portus Veneris after the goddess Venus and, after a period under the rule of the Kingdom of Mallorca, became French in 1659, after which Vauban turned it into a military port and fortified town. Today, as well as being a very attractive pleasure port, it has a vibrant fishing scene which meets its poisson-purchasing public at 8.30am daily – head to the Quai François Joly and the Quai de l’Obélisque. Fishing aside, trivia fans should know that Port-Vendres is France’s leading banana port, with 6,000 tonnes arriving every week from Africa.

Don’t miss… Follow in the footsteps of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the Scottish artist who lived and painted here during his later years. Walk a circuit by following the panels located where the artist painted.

5. Cassis, Bouches-du-Rhône (Région Sud)

You will not find a more colourful harbour (the boats and the port-facing buildings) in all of France than the Riviera gem that is Cassis. Sited 20km east of Marseille, it had a long tradition of fishing and maritime trade with both North Africa and the Middle East under Roman occupation. These days, enjoy the village de pêcheurs atmosphere by popping along to the fishermen’s stalls selling their catch each morning on the harbourside. Otherwise, time your day out here to coincide with one of the bustling markets: traditional Provençal (Wednesday and Friday mornings) or farmers’ (Saturday morning). Elsewhere, shop for everything from pottery to artisan perfume to local wines. For a unique stay with a view, book a suite at the spectacular Château de Cassis which overlooks the port..

Don’t miss… Head to the nearby calanques (steep inlets) for a vertiginous hike, bike ride or swim to remember (booking essential due to visitor number restrictions).

From France Today Magazine