Belle-Île-en-Mer, off the coast of the Morbihan, is the largest of Brittany’s islands, around forty-five minutes by boat from Quiberon. About seventeen kilometres long, it brings together a wild, ocean-battered coast in the south-west and sheltered beaches in the north-east, with four communes: Le Palais, Sauzon, Bangor and Locmaria.
Its emblematic sights are many: the Vauban citadel at Le Palais, the colourful harbour of Sauzon, the Aiguilles de Port-Coton made famous by Claude Monet’s paintings, the Grotte de l’Apothicairerie, and the Pointe des Poulains and its lighthouse, where the actress Sarah Bernhardt once stayed. The coastal paths, on foot or by bike, offer remarkable views at every turn.
Belle-Île can be explored in a weekend or a week, by car, bike or the island’s buses. Spring and early autumn are the best times for hiking, while summer brings swimming and lively harbours. An ideal escape on the Atlantic coast, without leaving Brittany.