Belle Ile

Visit Belle Ile, Brittany

Belle-Ile-en-Mer is the largest of the Brittany islands, and is found off the Morbihan coast opposite Quiberon. The island is reached by ferry from Quiberon which is a 45 minute boat trip away.

Exploring Belle-Ile-en-Mer

Surrounded by cliffs and beaches, the island is approximately 17km by 9 km. It is a particularly attractive destination with some beautiful scenery and coastal views interspersed with pretty little towns and villages and port towns.

The coastal scenery on the west side of the island is more dramatic, but safe swimming is harder to find.

The two ports on the island - Le Palais and Sauzon - are on the north-east coast of Belle-Ile-en-Mer, slightly more protected from the ravages of the Atlantic Ocean than the south-west side, which is known as the Cote Sauvage ('wild coast').

The other two important settlements on the island are at Locmaria to the south-east and Bangor in the centre of Belle-Ile, and there are also more than 100 small villages and hamlets across the island which are typically small clusters of low whitewashed cottages.

After exploring the traditional port at Sauzon and the Vauban fortified citadelle and the defences at Le Palais head south-east for the beach and town at Locmaria.

The largest beach is found to the south-east corner of Belle-Ile-en-Mer at Plage des Grands Sables, with several smaller beaches along the north-east coast of the island. Although beaches can also be found along the cote sauvage to the south-west these are much less safe and great care should be used when entering the sea along this part of the island. The beach at Donnant is the main one on this side of the island.

At the north-western point of Belle-Ile you can see the old lighthouse at Pointe des Poulains, and also a fort that was owned and renovated by Sarah Bernhardt (a very famous 19th century French actress).

If you have the time to stay a while, there is a coastal path that runs all the way around the island - the whole walk takes about a week to complete but if your time is limited you should follow a part of the walk along the the Cote Sauvage.

Port Donnant, on the south-west coast, is a particular highlight, as is Port-Goulphar a little further to the south-east - both are in spectacular locations, with the coast of cliffs and rocks providing lovely coastal views across the turquoise seas.

The 'aiguilles' (rock needles) of Port-Coton, near the lighthouse, are especially picturesque and Monet painted them many times.

You will also notice the varied plants on Belle-Ile. The island has a protected microclimate that actually enable mediterranean plants to grow very well, and Belle-Ile is significantly warmer than nearby mainland France.

(Note: French visitors to this website will recognise Belle-Ile as being the location for 'Dolmen' - a major television production in 2005.)

See Brittany and Morbihan (the region and department for Belle Ile) for more travel ideas...

Suggested places to visit near Belle Ile, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: La Trinite sur Mer 30km; Port Navalo 31km; Port de Crouesty 31km; Locmariaquer 32km; Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys 32km; Arzon 32km; Sarzeau 38km; Ile aux Moines 39km; Ile de Groix 39km; Auray 40km; Saint-Goustan 40km;

Belle Ile tourist information: sights and attractions nearby

Megalithic site of Carnac - national monument (29km) : Megaliths of Locmariaquer - national monument (32km) : Golfe du Morbihan - site of natural beauty (41km) : Massif Dunaire de Gavres-Quiberon - grand site of france (42km) : Jardins de Kerambar’h - remarkable garden (47km) : Parc Victor Chevassu - remarkable garden (48km) :

See more places and a map at places near Belle Ile