BPchristophe!
If you were at St. Jean-du-Doigt, you were within 3 or 4 kms of the fabulous Beg an Fry. Just take D79 from Plougasnou or St. Jean-du-Doigt and follow the high, twisting coast road past Beg Gracia until it turns away from the bluffs, past the strawberry hot houses, until you see the small blue and yellow sign that says "Beg ar Fri." (This is the Breton spelling).
That final road will take you past several farm houses, as well as the very secluded final house next to the "Site naturel protege," as this area is called. The final road to the parking lot will be dirt, and very narrow; but park just past the sign and walk past the wooden barrier for the final 200 meters.
At the end of this former road, (now a walking path), you will find the destroyed German bunker, as well as trails down the side of the bluff, and good views of the bay.
I have taken local people who have summer cottages in Primel-Tregastel to Beg an Fry: they are always stunned by its beauty as well as commenting that this was their first time there.
This very secluded spot is my favorite slope anywhere for radio control model gliding. The sheer beauty of it, the soft landing zones on top of the bluff, and the multi-directional lift makes this the finest slope site that I have ever flown.
I have passed that cafe that you mentioned, in fact many times; but I have not stopped in there - yet. I will on my next trip.
Kenavo
Visiting Finisterre
I trust you regarding the wind conditions, you're obviously the specialist. I located Beg-an-Fry on a map. I don't know this exact place. I've never been further than St Jean du Doigt along this coast. There is a place I like there : a lovely and unique "café-book seller".
I can imagine that paragliders like the Menez-Hom better because they can find there many safe places to land, not waves and rocks.
I can imagine that paragliders like the Menez-Hom better because they can find there many safe places to land, not waves and rocks.
BPchristophe!
I've also been out of town for two weeks, although on business.
I do know Menez-Hom very well, having been there many times. I have found that the wind directions have been rather poor every time that I come there. The best and most dynamic angle of wind is from NNW. Most other directions at that site produce poor lift.
It is not worth the 80 KM drive from Plougasnou, when I have Beg an Fry so close by. I have 3 angles of wind (from N to SE) that produce exceptional lift even in light wind conditions.
In late spring, with the Gorse in flower, Beg an Fry is very beautiful. East of there, across the bay, is Beg ar Forn, which I have also used when the wind is from the west.
Kenavo
I've also been out of town for two weeks, although on business.
I do know Menez-Hom very well, having been there many times. I have found that the wind directions have been rather poor every time that I come there. The best and most dynamic angle of wind is from NNW. Most other directions at that site produce poor lift.
It is not worth the 80 KM drive from Plougasnou, when I have Beg an Fry so close by. I have 3 angles of wind (from N to SE) that produce exceptional lift even in light wind conditions.
In late spring, with the Gorse in flower, Beg an Fry is very beautiful. East of there, across the bay, is Beg ar Forn, which I have also used when the wind is from the west.
Kenavo
Hi Kenavo.
Sorry for my late answer, I had some holidays. I live in Guipavas, near the airport.
If you fly gliders, you should try the Menez-Hom, the biggest hill in the area, between Le Faou and Crozon. Apart from the nice view, it’s the best place in the area, many hand- and paragliders use it as well.
Regarding Brest, the Americans did rebuild it. Le Havre isn’t great either. Lorient is just as bad.
Sorry for my late answer, I had some holidays. I live in Guipavas, near the airport.
If you fly gliders, you should try the Menez-Hom, the biggest hill in the area, between Le Faou and Crozon. Apart from the nice view, it’s the best place in the area, many hand- and paragliders use it as well.
Regarding Brest, the Americans did rebuild it. Le Havre isn’t great either. Lorient is just as bad.
Le Havre wasn't all that bad, although most of what we saw was down near the harbor.
To BPchristophe
I've been to Brest many times. So ugly! What a contrast to the surrounding countryside. A sad town, made even worse by all the grafitti and the bad traffic jams(too many bus lanes). This is only a town of 200,000 people. I've been told that Le Harve is just as ugly.
Where do you live near Brest? I know Guilers and Le Conquet.
I asked friends in Brest why this city was rebuilt so badly after the war. Response: The Americans rebuilt it. Go figure!
One of my favorite places is Beg an Fry, which is east of Plougasnou. I bring my Radio control model gliders from the USA and fly them from the cliffs at Beg an Fry. I've also flown at Pointe St Mathieu, Menez-Hom, and Menez Kador.
I've been to Brest many times. So ugly! What a contrast to the surrounding countryside. A sad town, made even worse by all the grafitti and the bad traffic jams(too many bus lanes). This is only a town of 200,000 people. I've been told that Le Harve is just as ugly.
Where do you live near Brest? I know Guilers and Le Conquet.
I asked friends in Brest why this city was rebuilt so badly after the war. Response: The Americans rebuilt it. Go figure!
One of my favorite places is Beg an Fry, which is east of Plougasnou. I bring my Radio control model gliders from the USA and fly them from the cliffs at Beg an Fry. I've also flown at Pointe St Mathieu, Menez-Hom, and Menez Kador.
Thanks Chris for posting that. I'd like to buy the video made by Mark Steffen , about the hotel and interviewing Mme Cos. Do you have any info?
La pointe du Raz and the Sein island:
This hotel was sacrified because the site was classified and protected. But this small white house alone on this windy rock really added to the charm of the place, to my opinion.
Another picture:
http://www.fotocommunity.de/pc/pc/mypics/2.../display/543082
This hotel was sacrified because the site was classified and protected. But this small white house alone on this windy rock really added to the charm of the place, to my opinion.
Another picture:
http://www.fotocommunity.de/pc/pc/mypics/2.../display/543082
Yes I have visited those places. One of my biggest travel disappontments was making a reservation too late, but only because I heard the bad news too late.
The Poine De Raz had a secluded 8 room hotel where many artists stayed The Horel de L'Roise. Madame d Coz ran this venerable landmark for years and I wanted to stay when I read the goverment would be tearing it down but I was too late, all booked way in advance by those who knew. It was torn down in 1996. i''ll see if I can find it on line and post again.
ok, back, found a photo for you
http://www.fh-wuerzburg.de/petzke/hotel.html
The Poine De Raz had a secluded 8 room hotel where many artists stayed The Horel de L'Roise. Madame d Coz ran this venerable landmark for years and I wanted to stay when I read the goverment would be tearing it down but I was too late, all booked way in advance by those who knew. It was torn down in 1996. i''ll see if I can find it on line and post again.
ok, back, found a photo for you
http://www.fh-wuerzburg.de/petzke/hotel.html
I live there (near Brest actually, the ugliest city you can visit in France), but I can't reasonnably be called an American. American tourists hardly ever come that west. They usually stop in Normandy. English tourists are more frequent, there is a direct ferry between Plymouth and Roscoff.
Here's the Pointe St Mathieu:
Here's the Pointe St Mathieu:
Has anyone ever visited Beg an Fry, Huelgoat, Menez-Hom, Pointe Sainte Mathieu, Pointe du Raz, Quimper, Locranon, or Ile de Batz?
Let me know; I've visited these places for the last 30 years, and it is extremely rare to run into an American in any of these places.
Mirko Bodul
Let me know; I've visited these places for the last 30 years, and it is extremely rare to run into an American in any of these places.
Mirko Bodul