One of the geographic perks of Nantes is the fact you’re never far from the ocean. There are dozens of easily accessible seaside towns to explore for a day or more.

On a sunny weekend, I picked Le Croisic, just an hour from Nantes by train. I’ve been there a few times as a kid and most recently in 2015 with Mark but it was always to visit the popular oceanarium, never for the beach.

Just as well—as I found out, there are no great beaches in Le Croisic, just a few sandy hidden coves. This is not the place to be if you’re looking for traditional beach activities and swimming opportunities. However, if you fancy a long walk atop cliffs and along the coast with great viewpoints on deep-blue waters, you won’t be disappointed.

The first thing I saw when I arrived was salt marshes on the age of the Atlantic. The train stopped in the tiny station a few blocks from the harbour and the centre of the town. Slate roofs, several crêperies, fishing boats and a menhir… yep, felt like Brittany.

Le Croisic is a peninsula, so I started north and just followed the coast. It was picturesque with wild flowers, cliffs, a lighthouse and a few landmarks.

However, the rare social interactions I had were… weird. People, locals and tourists alike, looked miserable and some were borderline rude. Saint-Gilles—another popular seaside town—welcomes tourists with open arms and always feels lively and fun. So, why the long face, Le Croisic?  

Maybe it’s the salt marshes making people… salty.