The resort of Etables-sur-Mer, with its 2 large beaches, was a real holiday destination in the 1900s and still attracts loyal holidaymakers.
The Grande Pêche tradition
For centuries, cod fishing was one of Étables' main resources.
The "Grande Pêche" (great fishing) in Newfoundland, which began in the early 16th century, continued until the 18th century, when Newfoundland became the most popular fishing ground for French cod fishermen. After Newfoundland, Iceland became the new destination for Breton sailors in 1852. This was to be the start of a saga that would last 80 years, until 1935.
From fishing to seaside
In 1895, Oscar Legris and his wife Victoria, a couple from the "Belle Époque", decided to make Étables a renowned seaside destination by developing the Godelins beach.
This Versailles industrialist encouraged the urbanisation of the commune by building villas, bathing cabins, hot baths and roads leading to the beach.
At the beginning of 1900, Etables had 18 villas, developed by Oscar Legris. Each house was rented with a bathing cabin on the beach. Most of these villas were located on avenue Victoria, boulevard Legris and rue du Commandant Charcot. In front of the Godelins beach, Oscar LEGRIS sold some land, and the Bellevue hotel was built and inaugurated in 1907.
The market in the town of Etables sur Mer
The Pourrhis viaduct bears witness to the history of the Petit Train des Côtes-du-Nord, which took "bathers" to their holiday destination from 1905 to 1956.
It was designed by Louis Harel de la Noë. Now restored and open to crossings, the Ponto valley offers a host of walking, horse-riding and cycling routes.
Did you know?
When Étables was called "Étables les grottes" (Étables the caves): For a long time, the resort was nicknamed "Étables les grottes" (Étables the caves) in reference to the crevices dug into the cliffs along its coastline. Some twenty sea caves can be seen between the Plage du Moulin and the Plage des Godelins. Around fifteen of them have been identified. They go by the enigmatic names of Grotte de Notre-Dame de Lourdes, Grotte du Four du Diable or Grotte de la Comète.
The commune of Étables became Étables-sur-Mer in 1949.
Binic-Etables-sur-Mer Tourisme
6 place Le Pomellec
22520 Binic-Etables sur Mer
Tel. 02 96 73 60 12
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday: 9.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 5.30pm. Closed on Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons
Closed on Saturday afternoons between November and February.