Brittany beach ranked among the world’s most beautiful - but you cannot visit
Visitors entering the turquoise shoreline risk a fine
Published
A beach in Brittany has been ranked among the world’s most beautiful, but visitors hoping to walk into its famous turquoise shoreline will find themselves disappointed.
Île Vierge beach, on the Crozon peninsula in Finistère, was placed fifth in travel platform Hellotickets’ list of the 20 most beautiful beaches in the world.
The secluded cove, surrounded by cliffs and maritime pine trees, is known for its clear blue waters and wild setting.
The ranking puts the Brittany beach ahead of many famous international destinations, including beaches in the Caribbean, Indian Ocean and Pacific.
However, despite the international recognition, visitors cannot access the beach itself.
Also off the coast of Brittany, multiple enormous jellyfish measuring almost 1 metre were spotted earlier this year.
Why is the Île Vierge beach closed?
Access to Île Vierge beach has been prohibited since 2020 because of safety and environmental concerns.
Local authorities say that the closure was introduced because of the risk of rockfalls from unstable cliffs and the damage caused by heavy visitor numbers to the fragile coastal environment.
In the years before its closure, the beach had become increasingly popular, particularly after images of the turquoise cove were widely shared online. Growing visitor numbers led to the erosion of paths and increased pressure on the surrounding vegetation.
For now, the beach can only be admired from viewpoints along the GR34 coastal trail, which offers views of the cove without entering the enclosed area.
Ignoring the ban risks a fine
Visitors who enter the prohibited area can receive a €135 fine.
The ban applies to access from land and also from the sea. Authorities have carried out checks and awareness campaigns to remind visitors of the risks and the importance of protecting the site.
Hellotickets ranked Île Vierge fifth in its list of the world’s 20 most beautiful beaches.
The ranking was:
Whitehaven Beach - Australia
Anse Source d’Argent - Seychelles
Glover’s Reef - Belize
Baía do Sancho - Brazil
Île Vierge - Brittany, France
Anse Noire - Martinique, France
Bain Bœuf - Mauritius
Nacpan Beach - Philippines
Freedom Beach - Thailand
Cleopatra Beach, Sedir Island - Turkey
Cala Goloritzé - Sardinia, Italy
Praia da Marinha - Portugal
Balos Lagoon - Crete, Greece
Playa de Ses Illetes - Formentera, Spain
Ksamil - Albania
Saleccia Beach - Corsica, France
Matira Beach - Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Nungwi Beach - Zanzibar, Tanzania
Bazaruto Archipelago - Mozambique
Holbox - Mexico
The selection was based on the colour of the water, the quality of the sand, and other factors including landscapes, ecosystems, atmosphere and the overall travel experience offered by each destination.
The EU also publishes a map showing bathing water quality across France and other member states.
