Pointe du Van

What it is

The Pointe du Van is the other point at the end of the Cap Sizun, in Cléden-Cap-Sizun. It closes the Baie des Trépassés to the north and faces south, to the Pointe du Raz, with the Île de Sein on the horizon. Between the point and the open sea is the Tévennec lighthouse, on its islet. It is part of the Grand Site de France of the Pointe du Raz and the Cap Sizun.

It is wilder and has far fewer people than the Raz: heather heath, cliffs and, near the point, the small stone chapel of Saint-They, alone on the heath. West of the chapel is the rock called Morgan's.

Getting there and parking

By car, from Cléden-Cap-Sizun follow the signs to the Pointe du Van. There is parking near the point; guides do not agree on whether it is free or paid in season, so check the signs on arrival. From the car park to the chapel and the viewpoints there is a short walk across the heath.

On foot, the GR 34 arrives from the Baie des Trépassés in 3 km (about an hour and a half) and from the Pointe du Raz in about 5.5 km. In July and August, the Maison de site at the Pointe du Raz runs a shuttle between the two points; ask there for the times.

What to see

• The Saint-They chapel, on the way to the point.
• The viewpoints over the Baie des Trépassés and the Pointe du Raz.
• The Tévennec lighthouse and, in good weather, the Île de Sein and the lighthouses of the Raz de Sein.

Allow an hour for the walk, the chapel and the viewpoints. If you want more, the official map suggests a Pointe du Van loop of 11 km and about 3 h 45.

Guided visit

From April to October, the Maison de site at the Pointe du Raz runs on Tuesdays at 9:00 a guided nature route around the Pointe du Van: 3 hours, 5 km, starting from the car park at the point. It costs €9, €6 reduced (ages 11 to 17, students and jobseekers) and is free for under-10s. Book at the Maison de site or the Cap Sizun tourist office.

When to go

At the end of the afternoon, with the sun going down over the sea and the Pointe du Raz silhouetted opposite. In May, June and September, with the heather and few people. In fog you see nothing: check the forecast. In winter, in a storm, the sea breaks against the cliffs.

With children or with a dog

The walk from the car park to the chapel is short and suitable for children, always away from the edge. With a pushchair, the heath path is uneven. Dogs on a lead: the heath is fragile.

To round it off

Combine it with the Pointe du Raz on the same day: the Raz in the morning, with more facilities, and the Van in the afternoon, quieter. To do it on foot, see the entry on the GR 34 from the Raz to the Van. To sleep between the two points, the Hôtel de la Baie des Trépassés.