St Aignan

Anse de Sordan is a beach that has been made inland on the Guerladen Lake in the middle of Brittany, accessed via the road between St Aignan and Cleguerec, and what is nice about this area is that thought went into the planning. There are camping facilities available with good toilets/showers, and also adequate free parking.

What I like about this beach is that it is calmer than others on the Guerladen Lake, and not as commercial. I feel it offers atmosphere, without people being pressured to spend money. In other areas where there are beaches, there are also expensive snack bars and temptations that would certainly sidetrack parents into spending more than they need to to enjoy themselves. Anse de Sordan offers children facilities that are very well constructed, i.e. a play area with climbing frames, slide and see-saw, boating trips that are family friendly, i.e. pedaloes, and a safe beach that has no graduation, and that in fact is beautifully sandy and not tidal.

The area is tucked in the middle of the Quenecan Forest, and does offer walks alongside the lake, through a wooded area, where one can picnic, and enjoy a little peace and tranquility. I love this area. You can actually walk for miles, and often, I have taken a picnic with me, and had a good time without spending vast amounts of money.

The camping area is not as well known as that offered at Caurel, and certainly does not have the same entertainment, but does offer the public a place that is looked after and clean and not over crowded.

Alongside the lake, just at the end of the beach, there is a restaurant that has two entries, one being bar and snacks, and one being the main restaurant, and prices are reasonable and the selection very good indeed.

I think this is one of those areas that gets neglected by many tourists in favour of more commercial sites, although it has more benefits to my mind because it offers safe swimming, superb ambiance, and being in a little cove, is also very sheltered from the winds that may catch the tourist at other spots along the lake.

For a day out, this is the perfect stopping off point with the kids, and even though there are children, the place just doesn't ever seem noisy. It's good for sunbathing too, and the sheltered harbour has clean water, and the scenery is very agreeable.

For those wishing to camp, what the Anse de Sordan offers is basically a base from where to discover the region. It's not a high activity based camp site. It is secure, and I have never heard of thefts or crime, and the beach area is accessible for barbecues in the evenings which is rather nice.

I like this beach better than others offered in the region because I enjoy the scenery, the atmosphere, but also the fact that it is not overcrowded, even in peak season. Accessible only by road, you will need to have a vehicle to get there, as there is no public transport at all in this region of the Forest, though the road that leads there is romanesque and straight, and as stated, the parking is free at all times and plentiful.

It's a good venue to enjoy, night or day