What to do · Cancale
Pointe du Grouin
Information
- Price
- Independent visit · free
- Duration
- 30 min
- With a dog
- Dog-friendly
What it is
The Pointe du Grouin is the rocky headland north of Cancale, the rocky promontory that juts furthest into the sea in all of Ille-et-Vilaine. It is a natural area managed by the Département and the end of the stage of the GR34 coastal path between Saint-Malo and Cancale. You arrive, walk a few minutes to the tip and have the sea on three sides.
What you see
- In front, the Île des Landes, a protected island that cannot be reached on foot. In Cancale they call it the bird island.
- To the left, Cap Fréhel, on the other side of the Emerald Coast.
- To the right, the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, with the Mont about 25 km away, and further off, on clear days, the Chausey islands.
Getting there
- By car: about 4 km from the port of La Houle, under ten minutes by road. Park in the marked spaces next to the point and approach on foot along the marked paths.
- On foot: along the GR34 coastal path, which leaves the port. It is the last stretch of the stage from Saint-Malo and is reserved for walkers.
- By bike: as far as the car park; the coastal paths are for walking only.
If you stay nearby, the Pointe du Grouin municipal campsite has its pitches on the cliff and the path at the door. It was open from 23 March to 23 October 2026.
How long
Half an hour for a look and a circuit of the point. With a stretch of the path towards Port-Mer or towards the west, one or two hours.
When to go
Any season, with good visibility to see the Mont. At sunset the light falls sideways across the bay. In a storm, the sea breaks hard against the rock; in fog, you will see almost nothing.
Safety
The point is rock and cliff. Stay on the marked paths, especially in wind. The town council warns that vipers have been seen west of the Pointe du Grouin: walk in closed shoes and watch where you put your hands on the rocks.
With children and with a dog
With children, it is a short walk from the car park, always holding hands near the edge. With a dog, on a lead: it is a protected natural area.
Nearby: Port-Mer and the bay
South of the point, Port-Mer beach is Cancale's family beach, with a water-sports centre, restaurants and boat trips to see dolphins; in summer it is the liveliest. To sleep next to it, there is the Camping de Loisirs Port-Mer Plage, open from 4 April to 4 November 2026. On the same coast, Porcon beach, in the bay of Radegonde, is sheltered from the prevailing winds and is good for strolling.
Back in the village, a dozen at the oyster market rounds off the afternoon nicely.
Tips
- Go on a clear day From the point you can see Mont-Saint-Michel about 25 km away; in haze, you cannot.
- Arrive on foot by the GR34 From the port of La Houle, the coastal path takes you to the point.
- Look at the Île des Landes with binoculars It is a protected island, the bird island, and cannot be set foot on.
Frequently asked questions
How far is it from Cancale to the Pointe du Grouin?
About 4 km by road from the port of La Houle, under ten minutes by car. On foot, along the coastal path.
What can you see from the Pointe du Grouin?
The Île des Landes in front, Cap Fréhel to the left and the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel to the right, with the Mont about 25 km away.
Can you go to the Île des Landes?
No. It is a protected island, surrounded by sea, that cannot be reached on foot.
As a familyWith a dog
