The sea in winter: an iodized escape between Guérande and La Baule

Morning: into the secrets of the Guérande salt marshes

Start your winter escapade at Terre de Sel, just outside Guérande. In winter, the salt marshes take on a special beauty. Accompanied by a passionate salt worker, discover the secrets of this universe shaped by man and ocean for centuries. There are no crowds here, just you and the immensity of these salt gardens, reflected in the winter sky. Migratory birds have taken up residence in this unspoiled natural setting, offering a rare spectacle for patient observers.

Then join Guérande, the "Carcassonne of the West", for a lunch break in the heart of the fortified city. Between the walls of its perfectly preserved 15th-century ramparts, the cobbled streets invite you to take a trip back in time. Winter magnifies the stone architecture: the collegiate church of Saint-Aubin and the chapel of Notre-Dame-la-Blanche are bathed in a soft, almost hushed light.

Afternoon: Pen Bron, at the end of the world

The afternoon takes you to the tip of Pen Bron, in La Turballe. In winter, this long stretch of sand juts out into the ocean and becomes a soothing wilderness. Bordered by a forest of maritime pines, this spit of land offers a timeless walk. On one side, the calm waters of the Croisic tract are reflected by sleeping boats. On the other, the Atlantic unfurls its winter power. In the distance, Le Croisic draws its postcard silhouette.

To round off this first day of winter escapism, choose your cozy hideaway from among these addresses: Hôtel de la Plage in Saint-Marc-sur-Mer, facing Monsieur Hulot's beach, where the echoes of French cinema still resonate; Les Chants d'Ailes in La Turballe, a 1930s villa facing the ocean; or Casa Cosy in Le Pouliguen, a boutique hotel with family charm.

Morning: on the wild coast of Le Croisic

Early morning, the ocean beckons. Take the coastal path along the wild coast of Le Croisic. The granite cliffs face the onslaught of the Atlantic in a constant ballet of foam and crashing waves. Secret coves, plagettes and cascades of rock compete in beauty under an often-changing sky.

Follow this ancient customs path. The famous Rocher de l'Ours seems to watch over the area, an impassive guardian shaped by millennia of erosion.

Afternoon: between heritage and a thalasso wellness break

For the afternoon, choose your tempo according to your mood. Discover the Petites Cités de Caractère of Le Croisic and Batz-sur-Mer. Le Croisic, a five-kilometer peninsula in the sea, is a town enriched by the salt trade that has retained all its authenticity. Stroll along the harbor, where you'll find fishing boats and elegant shipowners' mansions, then lose yourself in the narrow streets of the medieval heart, where half-timbered houses bear witness to a rich past. Continue on to Batz-sur-Mer, nestled between ocean and salt marshes, where the Saint-Guénolé tower offers a breathtaking panorama of the surrounding area.

Or would you prefer an invitation to absolute relaxation? Treat yourself to a wellness interlude at one of the region's thalassos. Whether at the Château des Tourelles thalasso-spa in Pornichet, the Aquabaule Nordic pool or the Rivage thalasso in La Baule-les-Pins, seawater and treatments distill their benefits. In the enveloping warmth of a hydromassage bath, facing the ocean, savour the perfect contrast between the power of the elements and the gentleness of a moment to yourself.

Morning: Pornichet, testimony to the Belle Époque art of living

Your final morning begins with a guided tour of Pornichet's villas. In winter, these witnesses to the Belle Époque reveal all their charm. From the fairytale Château des Tourelles to the Villa Sigurd, built by an opera singer, each home tells the story of an era when the art of coastal living was invented. The Ker Souveraine villa with its sculpted mermaids, the intriguing L'Orientale villa with its otherworldly architecture: discover these witnesses to a creative and elegant era during a two-and-a-half-hour stroll (info from the tourist office).

Afternoon: La Baule Bay in intimate mode

The afternoon is spent along the La Baule seafront. In winter, this nine-kilometer bay, one of the longest in Europe, takes on the appearance of the end of the world. The traditional colorful cabins hibernate, and the sand regains its virginity. It's the perfect time for a long, meditative walk facing the infinite horizon. Belle Époque, Art Deco and Moorish villas rise up from the pine trees to bear witness to a timeless art of living.

Take a seat on the terrace of one of the bars or restaurants lining the beach. A hot chocolate in front of the waves, a seafood platter in a cosy brasserie: winter has its pleasures, more intimate but no less delicious.

Want to extend your winter getaway?

• Explore the Brière Regional Nature Park: in the winter light, the canals create a magical landscape and the birds offer a rare spectacle for birdwatchers.
• Discover Piriac-sur-Mer: in this charming "Petite Cité de Caractère", the fishermen's houses huddle around the little port as if to protect themselves from the winter winds.
• Extend your wellness break : for a full weekend of thalassotherapy, the benefits of seawater warm body and mind while winter is in full swing outside.