#711 European Rank
Plage de la Torche
Brittany, France•Atlantic Ocean• Best Season: May, June, July, August, September, October
Photo: PtrQs (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
3.96/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
17.6°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€64/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Golden Sand
Gradual Drop
Live Open-Meteo European Feed
Morning Beach Pulse & Marine Telemetry
Wind-Exposed
Moderate Surf
Exposed to Onshore Surf & ChopCove aspect: Faces W (270°) · Wind: W (270°)
Onshore wind (12 km/h) is pushing open-sea swell directly into the bay, creating active breaking waves and reduced visibility.
Significant Wave Height
...
Exercise Caution
Swell Profile
...
Reading buoy...
Live Surface Wind
...
W (270°) · ONSHORE
UV & Air Temperature
...
UV 5 · Moderate (SPF 30)
Cove Aspect & Shelter Compass
Seaward Orientation vs. Live Wind DirectionCove Faces W (270°)
Onshore Wind • Waves and surface chop pushed into the beach
Shoreline Facing (θ_aspect)
W (270°)
Open Sea Exposure
Surface Wind Vector
W (270°)
12 km/h · Δθ = 0°
Spatial Geometry: Wind from W pushes unobstructed over the open sea directly onto the W-facing coast, generating breaking chop.
Morning Coastal Brief for Plage de la Torche: Noticeable shorebreak; recommend caution for small children and non-swimmers. Onshore wind (12 km/h) is pushing open-sea swell directly into the bay, creating active breaking waves and reduced visibility. Models update sub-daily via Open-Meteo European marine models.
Interactive Oceanographic Climatology
Seasonal Sea Warmth & Bathing Climatology
30-Year NOAA OISST v2.1 Monthly Normals (1991–2020) · Brittany, France
Crisp & Bracing
Early August
17.6°C
Air ~29°C
Short dips only; spring wetsuit recommended
Invigorating cold dip. Swimmers generally wear a shorty wetsuit for sessions over 10–15 minutes.
Drag to scrub 12-month temperature curveEarly August · 17.6°C
| Month | Sea Surface Temp | Air Temp | Thermal Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 11.0°C | 15°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| February | 10.3°C | 16°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 10.2°C | 18°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 11.5°C | 21°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| May | 13.5°C | 24°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| June | 15.7°C | 27°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| July | 17.0°C | 29°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| August | 17.6°C | 29°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| September | 16.8°C | 27°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| October | 15.7°C | 24°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| November | 14.0°C | 20°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| December | 12.3°C | 17°C | Crisp & Bracing |
NOAA OISST v2.1 30-year climatological normal (1991–2020).Explore all France Sea Temperatures
Swimmability Window · NOAA Climatology
Peak 17.6°C in August · cold-water plunge / wetsuit season
Planning around peak water warmth (17.6°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near Plage de la Torche for the optimal May–June–July–August–September–October swimming window.
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Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Plage de la Torche (Brittany, France)
🌊 Water temperature: 17.6°C
⛱️ Beach access: 85% free public sand • Sunbeds: €20–€40
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces W (sheltered from E winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/plage-de-la-torche-fr/Tip: Add this beach to your home screen to quickly check morning wind and water conditions before heading out.
EEA Bathing Water Directive 2006/7/EC
Bathing Water Purity & Statutory Standards
Status: Good
Microbial Water Purity
95th-Percentile Compliant
Escherichia coli & intestinal enterococci within statutory limits.
Bathing Directive Tier
Tier 1: Sufficient & Safe
Monitored across the official European bathing season.
Official European Environment Agency (EEA) water monitoring verifies recreational cleanliness, sewage absence, and safety standards across all 31 member and partner coastal nations.
Score Breakdown
Scenery & Setting4.2 / 5
Water Clarity & Cleanliness4.5 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.7 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.6 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.5 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing4.2 / 5
About Plage de la Torche
A dune-backed bay off a rocky headland that catches the full Atlantic swell. Brittany's surf capital.
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: Access paths leading from the Pointe de la Torche parking area in Plomeur across the coastal dune belt.
•Protected Status / Environment: Natura 2000 and Conservatoire du Littoral protected coastal wetland and dune system in the Baie d'Audierne.
•Notable Feature: Prehistoric megalithic tumulus/dolmen on the rocky promontory, iconic Breton wave riding capital, springtime tulip flower fields in bloom.
Sand Transparency & Sunbed Index
Public sand quota, private lido density, and legal towel placement rights
Wide Open Public Sand
Free Public Sand (85%)Private Concessions (15%)
2-Sunbed + Umbrella Set Rate
€20low season→€40August peak
Daily set (2 loungers + umbrella). Front-row loungers may command premium surcharges.
Towel Bather Guidance
Abundant unencumbered shoreline. Free towel placement everywhere with minimal commercial footprint.
Legal Shoreline Rights: French coastal decree guarantees uninterrupted free public access along the entire littoral zone.
Arrival Logistics, Parking & Sun Exposure
Micro-logistics, parking payment taxonomy, and topographic shadow schedules.
Parking Payment & Rates
Free Parking
Free Verge / Unpaved Roadside
Follow local municipal parking signage to avoid fines during summer peak hours.
Sun Exposure & Cliff Shadows
Full-Day Unobstructed Sunlight
Open shoreline with full solar exposure from mid-morning through evening twilight.
Footwear & Karst Protection
Unnecessary (Soft Natural Sand)
Fine powder or golden sand allows comfortable barefoot wading into shallow depths.
Amenities & Facilities
Bathrooms
YesShowers
NoFree Parking
YesFood / Tavernas
NoGood for Kids
NoDog Friendly
NoLifeguard on Duty
NoSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
YesNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
NoWheelchair Accessible
NoSnorkeling & Watersports
YesNudist / FKK Friendly
NoGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Brittany. Accessible via regional coastal roads (47.837°N, -4.349°E).
•Powerful swell and currents; a surf and windsurf beach.
•A wild dune-backed bay at a rocky point in south-west Brittany.
Nearest Airport & Transit Gateway
INTL · 40m driveConvenient highway or local transit access across Brittany, France.
Are you a Venue Owner or Promoter at Plage de la Torche?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Plage de la Torche
What is the water temperature at Plage de la Torche?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Plage de la Torche averages 17.6°C (64°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Plage de la Torche?
Plage de la Torche is classified as a golden sand shoreline located in Brittany, France.
Is Plage de la Torche good for families with kids?
Plage de la Torche has steeper entry or natural coastal features better suited for confident swimmers.
Are there parking and facilities at Plage de la Torche?
Free parking is available. Restroom facilities are present.
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