Best Things to do in Pornic, a Jewel of the Jade Coast
Last Updated on 1st July 2024 by Charlotte Nadeau
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Postcard perfect Pornic is a quaint town that lies on the fringes of the Atlantic in western France, along the Jade Coast. A coastal delight famed for its historic port and medieval château, the charming town is best explored between June and September. Here’s your guide to the best things to do in Pornic, a true jewel of the Jade Coast!
Where is Pornic?
Pornic is around an hour’s train journey from Nantes, located along the Loire-Atlantique’s Jade Coast in the Pays de la Loire region in western France. This coastal town has a small population of just under 15,000 people, though these numbers swell during the summer months when tourists and French locals alike head to the coast.
What is Pornic known for?
Thanks to its location by the coast, Pornic has a rich maritime heritage centred around its old fishing port. The town is also known for its charming medieval château, delicious gastronomy of fresh seafood and the crystal clear waters of the Atlantic that make this coastal town such a desirable destination to holiday!
Best things to do in Pornic
Admire the port
By far the most important aspect of a visit to Pornic is to marvel at its impressive historic port and harbour area. Here you can soak up the views of boats bobbing on the tranquil waters with the medieval Château looming over the water’s edge.
Lining the harbour are several bars, restaurants where you can enjoy delicious French cuisine with sea views, and also small shops to purchase a souvenir from. A popular spot situated along the port is La Fraiseraie, which sells a wide variety of strawberry treats, with the strawberry sorbet being a firm favourite!
The fishing port is also the best spot in Pornic to view the sunset, watching the orange glow of the sun melt into the water’s horizon is a highlight for any coastal trip.
Château de Pornic
One of the most iconic and important historical sights of the town is the castle of Pornic, which is located along the waterfront, perched atop a cluster of rocks. The structure seen today is a reconstruction and was built in the 19th century.
However, the history of the château dates back to the 10th century, and at a time it was nicknamed “Château de Barbe Bleue” (Bluebeard) because it was owned by Gilles de Rais, a French knight and lord from Brittany. Today, the château is privately owned and closed to the public, but you can still admire its beauty from a distance!
La Ria Botanical Garden
One of the best things to visit when in Pornic is a botanic garden that was designed by the renowned landscaper Thierry Huau and sits in the heart of the town. This green lung spreads over 13 hectares and is a hidden treasure of exotic plants, water terraces, waterfalls and even rice fields that are lined with camellias, reminiscent of a Chinese landscape.
Purchase Pornic Pottery
If you’re looking for an unusual souvenir or gift to bring home, head to Faïencerie de Pornic a pottery factory where you can various handmade and painted pottery objects, or try for yourself and paint your own pottery to bring home!
Wander around the town
Simply wandering around Pornic and soaking up its charming ambience is the best way to experience this coastal town. Filled with a maze of cobbled streets and medieval architecture, you can also marvel at the more luxurious villas that were built in the town in the 1930s.
During the summer months, you can hop on the Petit train touristique de Pornic, which is a little tourist train that takes visitors on a sightseeing tour of the town (tours are spoken in French).
Tumulus des Mousseaux
This funerary monument is believed to date back as far as 3500 BC and is located in the west of Pornic, just 600 meters from Noëveillard Beach. The Mousseaux tumulus is a megalithic monument, made up of two historic stone corridor tombs that tell of the town’s history, as such it was classified a historic monument in 1889.
Beaches of Pornic
Of course, the main draw to towns along the Jade Coast is their golden sandy beaches and sparkling green waters, and you never have to venture too far to find one to relax on and go for a dip! There are twelve beaches in Pornic alone, all unique and characterised by their fine sand and hidden coves.
To name a few, Plage de la Noëveillard is one of Pornic’s largest beaches, you’ll often find this spot to be a little livelier where families alike enjoy the sunshine and outdoor sports like volleyball.
There’s Etang Beach, which is a little more secluded and perfect for nature lovers and Plage de la Birochère, which is nestled between two rocks and has calm and crystal-clear water perfect for snorkelling.
Head out on a coastal walk
There are several stunning coastal walks to enjoy from Pornic, making this the idyllic destination for those who love hiking and exploring the beauty of the natural landscape. Here are a few suggested trails you can take:
- Pointe Saint-Gildas trail – 1 hour 45 minutes
- Pornic’s fisheries trail – 2 hours 45 minutes
- Springs & menhirs trail in St Michel – 2 hours
Dine Out (and sample local cuisine)
As mentioned, there are many restaurants bordering the port and the waterfront and thanks to the town’s enviable position on the coastline, most menus are seafood-forward.
A popular dish in Pornic is Moules-frites (mussels and fries), simple yet delicious, the mussels are served in creamy white wine and garlic sauce.
We personally ate at Maoa Pornic as they are open continuously throughout the afternoon (unlike other eateries in town which close between lunch and dinner) and have vegetarian options (which can be harder to find than you would think in France).
Explore the rest of the Jade Coast
Pornic is described as the gateway to the Jade Coast, which as the name might suggest is named after the unique and vibrant green colour of the sweeping Atlantic sea that laps and swells at the coastline.
Boasting long stretches of golden sandy beaches, hidden coves and charming seaside fishing towns, there’s a lot to be explored and loved about this small coastal fringe of western France.
Where to stay in Pornic
Pornic is pretty small, but for its size, there are still many options to choose where to stay, the majority of which are affordably priced per night too. It’s also the perfect town to base yourself in while exploring the Côte de Jade area of France. Here are a few suggestions of where to stay (based on web reviews):
Westotel Pornic – This 4-star tourist hotel is located around 900 meters from the beach and has a sheltered rooftop pool, free WiFi, a spa and wellness centre as well as a hotel bar. Offering rooms with a balcony and free parking too! Guests have commented on its great location, making for a clean and comfortable stay. Check prices and availability here.
Hôtel Beau Soleil – A harbour-side hotel situated in the heart of Pornic, facing the quaint fishing port, with Pornic castle looming above. The hotel offers free Wifi and sea views, and it’s also only a 10-minute walk from Noëveillard Beach. Check prices and availability here.
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