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Ile Glenan

Visit Ile Glenan (Brittany, France)

The Glenan archipelago is a group of islands found 20 km off the Finistere coast south of Fouesnant (the ferry takes about an hour).

The most important island in the group is Saint-Nicholas, along with its sister island Bananec, which can be reached on foot at low tide from Saint-Nicholas. The Ile du Loch is the largest island in the group, and is private property. Six other islands and countless rocks and islets make up the rest of the group.

The Glenan islands no longer have any permanent residents.

Saint-Nicholas: this island is best known for the diving centre that has been established here for more than 50 years. The popularity stems from the fact that the water here is especially clear and ideal for diving. Nearby Penfret is home to a major nautical / sailing school and training centre.

The Natural Reserve of Saint-Nicholas was established on the island due to the need to protect a rare flower found here, the Narcissus of Glenan (see picture above - don't pick it if you see one!)

Guiautec Island is best known as a bird sanctuary and nature reserve.

Visiting the Iles de Glenan

A quiet group of islands, even bikes are not permitted on the islands - so bring walking shoes! Even if you are not here for diving you will be rewarded with quiet beaches and emerald green seas in a very peaceful setting. Facilities are very limited on the island, but there are two restaurants open during the summer.

It is also possible to organise boat trips around the Glenan islands from the mainland.

Photos taken within 10 km

Address: Ile Glénan, Finistere, Brittany || GPS: latitude 47.711, longitude -4

Map of Ile Glenan & places nearby



 

Highlights close by

More suggestions: Quimper 32km; Quimperle 38km; Ile de Groix 41km; Pont-Croix 52km;

See lots more places to visit nearby and a more detailed map at places near Ile Glenan.
See Brittany and Finistere (the region and department for Ile Glenan) for more travel ideas...

Suggested tourist attractions to visit near Ile Glenan, France

• Archipel des Glénan - site of natural beauty
• Marais de Mousterlin - site of natural beauty (16km)
• Concarneau - town of art and history (19km)
• Parc botanique de Cornouaille - remarkable garden (23km)
• Quimper - town of art and history (32km)
• Jardin du château de Lanniron - remarkable garden (33km)
• Jardin du prieuré de Locmaria - remarkable garden (33km)

The French version of this page is at Ile Glenan (Francais)