Plage de l'Ermitage
Pays de la Loire, France: Excellent water quality
Plage De L'Ermitage sits on the Loire-Atlantique coast near Saint-Brevin-les-Pins, a straightforward Atlantic beach in the Pays de la Loire region. The bathing water quality here is rated Excellent, which reflects proper monitoring and maintenance of the swimming area. This is a working beach, no…
Quick Overview
Plan Your Visit to Plage de l'Ermitage
The key facts before you go
About the Beach
What is Plage de l'Ermitage?
Plage De L'Ermitage sits on the Loire-Atlantique coast near Saint-Brevin-les-Pins, a straightforward Atlantic beach in the Pays de la Loire region. The bathing water quality here is rated Excellent, which reflects proper monitoring and maintenance of the swimming area. This is a working beach, no marketing gloss, just consistent access to clean water and supervised swimming.
If you're looking for a reliable spot with decent facilities and lifeguard presence, this beach delivers. The location puts you roughly 12 km from Saint-Nazaire-Montoir Airport, making it accessible for visitors driving in from the airport or passing through on their way along the Atlantic coast.
It sits alongside other certified beaches in Pays de la Loire, part of a broader network of other Blue Flag beaches in France certified annually by the Foundation for Environmental Education.
Planning
When to Go: Month by Month
| Month | Air Temp | Water Temp | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7°C | 11°C | Low |
| Feb | 8°C | 10°C | Low |
| Mar | 9°C | 10°C | Low |
| Apr | 12°C | 12°C | Low |
| May | 15°C | 14°C | Low |
| Jun | 18°C | 16°C | Low |
| Jul | 20°C | 18°C | High |
| Aug | 20°C | 19°C | High |
| Sep | 18°C | 18°C | Low |
| Oct | 14°C | 16°C | Low |
| Nov | 10°C | 14°C | Low |
| Dec | 8°C | 13°C | Low |
When is the best time to visit Plage de l'Ermitage?
The best time to visit Plage de l'Ermitage is April, May, June. Air temperatures peak around 20.2°C in summer. Peak water temperature reaches 17.8°C in July.
How crowded does Plage de l'Ermitage get?
Plage De L'Ermitage serves the local Saint-Brevin-les-Pins community and draws regional visitors, particularly families. As a lifeguard-supervised beach with Excellent water quality ratings, it attracts swimmers during warmer months. Summer weekends (July-August) naturally bring more people, especially when air temperatures hit 20°C and water reaches 18.6°C.
Weekday visits are typically quieter. The beach's character is practical rather than trendy. You'll find families with children, regular swimmers, and people using it as a practical stop rather than a destination requiring special planning.
School holidays (French summer break in July-August, Easter, and shorter breaks) increase crowds noticeably. Shoulder seasons (May-June and September) offer a middle ground, warmer water than spring, fewer people than peak summer, though water temperatures still require wetsuits for most swimmers. Winter months see minimal recreational swimming due to 4-7°C water temperatures, though hardy locals may still visit.
Parking and facilities can get stretched during peak summer days, so arriving early during July-August weekends makes practical sense. Off-season visits work well if you prefer quieter conditions and don't mind colder water.
Is Plage de l'Ermitage open year-round?
The beach itself is accessible year-round, though staffed facilities including lifeguards typically operate only during the official season (05-07 – 31-08). The Blue Flag is displayed during the certification period only.
The Water
Swimming and Beach Life at Plage de l'Ermitage
Is Plage de l'Ermitage safe to swim?
Plage de l'Ermitage is Blue Flag certified, which requires meeting strict bathing water standards set by the EU Bathing Water Directive. The latest official class is Excellent (2025).
Water quality
Excellent (2025)
Earlier seasons: 2024 Excellent, 2023 Excellent, 2022 Excellent.
Excellent is the top class under the EU Bathing Water Directive. Recent samples stayed inside the strictest limits for bacteria.
Source: European Environment Agency
What is the water temperature at Plage de l'Ermitage?
Peak water temperature at Plage de l'Ermitage reaches around 17.8°C in July, making it comfortable for swimming during the summer months. In winter (January), air temperatures average 7.1°C.
What is the beach like at Plage de l'Ermitage?
Plage De L'Ermitage is a straightforward family-oriented beach serving the Saint-Brevin-les-Pins community. The beach has lifeguards on duty, which is essential information for anyone planning to swim. Water temperatures follow a predictable Atlantic pattern: winter water sits around 10.4°C, spring gradually warms through 6-9°C, summer reaches its peak at 17.8°C in July and August, then cools through autumn back to low single digits by December.
Air temperatures mirror this. January averages 7.1°C, summer peaks at 20°C in July-August, then drops to 17.7°C by September. The beach itself is typical of this stretch of the Loire-Atlantique coast.
Sand quality and beach width vary with tidal conditions, as is normal for Atlantic beaches in this region. Bathing water quality is rated Excellent, which means it meets strict European standards for E. coli and enterococci levels. This rating doesn't come by accident, it reflects regular testing and management.
For swimmers, the summer season (June through September) offers the most comfortable conditions. July and August hit 18.6°C, still requiring a wetsuit for most people, but swimmable without one if you're cold-tolerant. May and early June, when water reaches 12-15°C, work for wetsuiters.
Spring and autumn are transition months; water stays too cold (13.5°C) for casual swimming without protection. The beach facilities are managed by the local town authority.
Contact the Saint-Brevin-les-Pins mairie for specific details about amenities, changing facilities, parking, or seasonal variations in services. The presence of lifeguards suggests organized infrastructure, but visiting their website or calling ahead gives you current information about peak season hours and any temporary closures.
Plage de l'Ermitage sits on the Bay of Biscay: explore all Blue Flag beaches on the Atlantic.
While You're Here
Beyond Plage de l'Ermitage
Local Attraction
Transport
Getting to Plage de l'Ermitage
How do I get to Plage de l'Ermitage by car?
Plage de l'Ermitage is approximately 4.51 km from Saint-Brevin-les-Pins. Follow local road signs to the beach. Check Google Maps or a local map for the most current directions.
What is the nearest airport to Plage de l'Ermitage?
The nearest airport is Nantes Atlantique Airport (NTE), approximately 41.8 km away.
Can I get to Plage de l'Ermitage by public transport?
Public transport options vary by season. Check local transport authority websites for current bus and train schedules connecting to Saint-Brevin-les-Pins. The nearest recorded bus stop is 162 m from the beach.
Is there a train to Plage de l'Ermitage?
Plage de l'Ermitage lists Saint-Nazaire as the nearest railway station, 9.68 km away. Check current timetables before travelling.
Map
Find Plage de l'Ermitage
Open the map or get directions to the Plage de l'Ermitage pin. Amenity names are listed here only when OpenStreetMap has a mapped feature nearby.
Map loads when you ask. Tiles stay off the first paint.
Map: OpenStreetMap (ODbL)
On the beach
Facilities at Plage de l'Ermitage
- Lifeguards
- Yes, during the certified season
- Wheelchair access
- Accessible site facilities and water entry
- Visual assistance
- No
- Toilets
- Yes
- Showers
- Yes
- Parking
- Available nearby (surface parking). 3 m away
- Entry
- Free to enter
These details can change. Check on arrival.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Practical Details
Practical Information
| At the Beach | |
| Official Season | 05 Jul – 31 Aug |
|---|---|
| Beach Type | Sandy beach |
| Nearest supermarket | 2.7 km from the beach |
| Nearest bus stop | 162 m from the beach |
| Visiting Information | |
| GPS Coordinates | 47.2073°N, 2.1581°W |
| Water Quality | Excellent (2025) (EU Bathing Water Directive) |
| Blue Flag Operator | Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), France |
Frequently Asked Questions
Plage de l'Ermitage FAQ
Is Plage De L'Ermitage worth visiting?
That depends on your priorities. The beach has Excellent bathing water quality and lifeguard supervision, making it a safe, reliable choice for swimming. Water temperatures suit wetsuiters most of the year; summer (July-August at 18.6°C) works for cold-tolerant swimmers without protection.
It's useful as a practical beach stop rather than a special-trip destination. If you want organized swimming with good water quality near Saint-Brevin-les-Pins, yes. If you're seeking an exceptional coastal experience, you may find other spots more rewarding.
How do I get to Plage De L'Ermitage?
Rental cars are available at the airport terminal, giving you direct access to the beach via regional roads toward Saint-Brevin-les-Pins. Public transport requires connections and takes longer. By car from elsewhere in France, follow standard Atlantic coast routes toward Saint-Brevin-les-Pins.
For specific directions and current road conditions, use standard GPS mapping tools. Contact the Saint-Brevin-les-Pins town office for local arrival details.
What's the best time of year to visit Plage De L'Ermitage?
Summer (June-August) offers the warmest conditions: air temperatures around 20°C and water at 18.6°C, though you'll share the beach with more visitors. July-August sees the most people. May-June and September provide warmer water than spring (12-15°C) with fewer crowds, but still require wetsuits.
Spring (March-May) and autumn (October-November) are quieter but cold, water ranges 13.5°C. Winter is for hardy swimmers only; water drops to 10.4°C. Choose based on your cold-water tolerance and crowd preference.
What facilities are available at Plage De L'Ermitage?
The beach has lifeguard supervision, indicating organized infrastructure and changing facilities. Specific amenities (parking details, shower access, food vendors, equipment rental) require confirmation from the Saint-Brevin-les-Pins town office.
Contact them via their website (www.mairie-saint-brevin.fr) or email ([email protected]) for current facility information, seasonal hours, and any temporary closures. Facilities may vary by season, with reduced services outside summer months.
Is Plage De L'Ermitage suitable for families?
Yes, the lifeguard presence and Excellent water quality make it a safe choice for children's swimming. Summer months (June-August) work best for kids due to warmer water and air temperatures. Be aware that even summer water (18.6°C) feels cold to small children without wetsuits.
Spring and autumn require full wetsuits for comfort. The beach serves the local family community regularly. Contact the town office to confirm whether seasonal lifeguard hours match your visit dates, and check specific family amenities (changing areas, freshwater facilities) before arrival.
Explore More
Nearby Blue Flag Beaches
Editorial
From the Zeach Blog
Everything you need to know about what makes a beach qualify for Blue Flag status, from water quality to environmental education.
Read moreOur editorial team's pick of the standout Blue Flag beaches in France, rated for family friendliness, scenery, and facilities.
What the flag actually means, how certification works, and why a Blue Flag is a genuinely reliable signal, not just a marketing tool.
Read moreSources
- Foundation for Environmental Education: Blue Flag programme
- FEE site listing for Plage de l'Ermitage
- FEE France (Pavillon Bleu)
Last verified September 2026. National operator pages and FEE listings are the primary certification sources.