Belle Ile en Mer, which means “beautiful island in the sea” in French, is the largest island in Brittany and the second-largest on the French Atlantic Coast. Visiting an island is one of the best things to do in Brittany, and Belle Ile en Mer quickly became one of my favourite places in the region.
While it’s possible to see Belle Ile’s main attractions shown in tourist brochures in a day with a car or a tourist tour, the best way to experience the island’s magnificent landscapes is by walking, as much of the wild coast is not accessible by bike or car.
If you’re interested in circling the entire island by foot, you should allow three to four days for the journey. But if you can only visit Belle Ile en Mer on a day trip, you can focus on a shorter circuit near Sauzon, the port where the boat drops you off.
How to get to Belle Ile en Mer
To reach Belle Ile en Mer, you can catch a boat from ports in Brittany such as Quiberon, Port Navalo, Vannes, and Lorient (during peak season). There are direct trains from Paris to Vannes and Lorient, which offer convenient access to the island.
During my trip, I embarked on a boat from Vannes, which took us on a scenic cruise through the Gulf of Morbihan, passing by beautiful ports and islands. We left Vannes at 8.15 and passed Arradon, my usual holiday stop in the Golfe, and many other beautiful ports and islands (Ile aux Moines, Ile d’Arz…). The entrance of the gulf marks the halfway point of the boat trip. That’s also where the boat stops (Port Navalo) to take additional passengers. With one coast facing the calm bay and the other facing the unchained ocean, the view is breathtaking.
After two hours on the boat, we finally arrived at Sauzon, the lovely and most famous port of Belle Ile.
Hiking Belle Ile en Mer: a short circuit hike from Sauzon
As I chose not to book a car, I began my exploration of Belle Ile en Mer with a hike starting from Sauzon. The coastal trail provided stunning views, and I completed a loop of approximately 11 km, taking about four hours with stops for photos and lunch.
The hike took me along a winding path with a rugged, wild coast on one side and untouched land on the other. Along the way, I enjoyed the small beaches (Port Puns after 2km, and Port Deuborh only 1.5km later). From there, there is only 2km left to reach the famous Pointe des Poulains, passing first the creek of Pen Höet. The coastal path was quiet, and I only met other tourists at the breathtaking Pointe des Poulain, one of the most popular attractions on the island.
I was lucky to reach it at low tide so I could push 1km further to visit the Ile des Poulains and its lighthouse. Don’t miss the rocks next to the fort: they were my highlight of the Pointe des Poulains.
I was back on the coastal path for 2.5km when I reached the cove of Ster Vras, the last view of the circuit. But not the least. The sailing boats parked in the cove surrounded by green and rocky cliffs left me wordless. It was a picture-perfect place for nature and sailing lovers.
The circuit ends on a bike road. It goes through the countryside for 2.5 km and finishes in Sauzon. I had three hours left to enjoy the village before embarking on the boat back to the mainland at 5 pm.
Where to stay at Belle Ile en Mer
For this visit, as I only had one day, I decided to stay near Sauzon and hike. It meant skipping the magnificent Port Coton with its “needles” and the Citadel Vauban at Le Palais, some must-sees of the island. So I’m convinced it’s worth staying one night on the island, and I will do that next time I visit. Since I saw Belle Ile en Mer listed as one of the best spots for diving in France, I’m obsessed with going back.
There are four villages on the island: Bangor, Le Palais, Locmaria and Sauzon. They offer plenty of accommodations in Belle Ile en Mer to suit all kinds of envies, from camping to luxurious hotels (check available accommodations here*).
I haven’t spent a night on Belle Ile en Mer yet, but if I could, my preference would be for this eco-friendly and original yurt (click here to check availability*). It looks like a perfect balance of comfort, calm and green; and an experience to remember!
Have you visited Belle Ile en Mer? Share your experience in the comments below!
Where is Belle Ile en Mer?
Belle Ile en Mer is a French island in the Atlantic, about 15km from the mainland. It is the biggest island of Brittany, France’s most western region.
