Those who find a vacation rental in Brittany will quickly discover that the reputation of the region’s stunning coastline has not been exaggerated and, in fact, perhaps is even more impressive in real life. There are endless truly gorgeous beaches, views, towns, tourist attractions, and sights of unparalleled natural beauty to be discovered all across Brittany. However, even among this illustrious list of extraordinary gems, there are some particular stand-outs and Belle-île has to be one of the most notable. A beyond picturesque island, quite literally named for being a beautiful island, it makes for a brilliant day trip for anyone who decides to book a holiday rental in Brittany and begin delving into the immense loveliness of this land. And, with a mild climate year round, Belle-île is a brilliant place to visit no matter when you find yourself on vacation in Brittany.
The largest of the Breton islands (and the second largest of the islands of mainland France itself after Corsica), Belle-Île can be found 14 kilometres from Pointe de Quiberon and can be reached via ferry from Quiberon, Port-Navalo, Vannes, and Lorient. There are two main ports on the island and ferries from Quiberon, Port-Navalo and Vannes will bring you to the port of Le Palais and ferries from Quiberon and Lorient will bring you to the other port of Sauzon. Upon arriving on the island, you can hire a bike or a car and then spend the day discovering the relaxing beaches, pretty and colourful towns, the impressive cliffs, the lush countryside and the postcard-perfect surroundings of this charming island. Both port towns of Le Palais and Sauzon boast quays with sweet pastel-coloured houses that make for excellent backdrops for photos and are pleasant to admire as you stroll around. Le Palais, meanwhile, is home to the Vauban citadel, an impressive structure boasting brilliant views from its parapet walk and a Museum of Art and History inside. The other main town of Sauzon has an especially picturesque port that comes alive each evening when the pretty café terraces and restaurants welcome hungry guests. Also famous in Sauzon is the wild Pointe des Poulains cape that was made famous by being the abode of actress Sarah Bernhardt at the end of the 19th century. Her lovely home was opened to the public as a museum in 2007 and is well worth a visit. In addition to this, there are several other little towns and villages to explore and a sprinkling of lovely tourist attractions and landmarks throughout the landscape of the island. One of the other main attractions is the impressive Goulphar Lighthouse. Rising up above everything that surrounds, there are some 247 steps to the top but the trek is well worth it as once you get up there, you’ll be offered a whole new perspective on Belle-Île! By night, it emits two white flashes every 10 seconds, a sight that is truly magic and unforgettable but by day, it is the highest point in the island and the best place to get a panoramic view over the entire landscape of this beautiful place. Still manned by two lighthouse keepers, this special gem was commissioned in the 19th century and remains vitally important and rather unique in many ways. Come to visit in autumn or winter and you’ll be able to experience the lighthouse opening its doors to visitors at dusk, a particularly special experience.
Of course, while the towns and man-made attractions of Belle-Île are utterly charming in their own right, it is for the natural beauty that this wonderful gem is named and has become so renowned, that once drew the likes of Monet and Matisse to come here to paint. Boasting 85km of coastline, some 58 beaches and coves to choose from, and the large Protected Marine Area of Belle-Île, the island is a well-preserved place of impressive natural resources and an ideal place to engage in a whole array of outdoor pursuits. In particular, Belle-Île is somewhere where you can enjoy a wide range of water sports including SUP, kayaking, surfing, sailing, fishing, swimming, snorkelling, diving, and more. There really is a beach for every sort of outing or water sport in which you may be interested. Donnant beach, for example, is well-known for surfing and bodyboarding. Grand Sables beach, one of the longest sandy beaches on the island is perfect for family days out with its soft white sand, space, calm sea, and easy access to the car park. The deep cove of Ster Vraz is shaded by the cliffs around it and the marsh to the rear, which ensure it is an ideal place for swimming, paddle-boarding, and kayaking on the peaceful waters. When it comes to diving and snorkelling, Grands-Sables, Bordardoué, and Port York are all great for beginners and the rich seabeds of Port Puce, Deuborh, Bordéry, and Penhoet are all brilliant for those who want to spot as many fascinating creatures as possible, while the stunning lunar-like underwater scenes and impressive caves of Ster Vraz and Port Scheul will take your breath away. If you’re more interested in admiring your surroundings above the waves, the wild rocky coastline and pretty sandy beaches in and around the village of Bangor are where you’ll find those picturesque settings that once made Monet fall in love.
There are also lots of popular hiking routes throughout the island, with the coastal trails around its perimeter being particularly beloved. To hike all around the perimeter takes about four days in total and many visitors to Belle-Île come to do just that. Those, however, who merely want to stroll along a stretch of a cliff walk or go on an invigorating but less intense hike will find plenty of excellent options of varying lengths and difficulty levels. Similarly, there are plenty of bike trails and roads to follow around the island if that is your preferred method of travel or if you have less time to explore the island. These various paths and trails range from just a few kilometres to long stretches and will bring you through woods, from pretty town to town and around their historic centres, along the coast, to the island’s most beloved landmarks, and much more besides. While you can rent a car upon arriving on Belle-Île, in our opinion, this is the way to go: the best way to slow down, take a break, stretch your legs, truly admire your surroundings, and to stop and smell the roses. If you are on holidays in Brittany and want to really unwind and get away from it all, then we can think of nothing better than coming to explore all of the impressive beauty of Belle-Île!
So, go and find that villa in Brittany, plan your trip, and then set aside a day to come and visit Belle-île and see for yourself exactly why it has been literally named the Beautiful Island. Full of pretty towns, impressive monuments and architectural gems, and natural beauty that is being carefully protected for our continued enjoyment and the planet’s well-being, Belle-île is a truly magical little corner of France that one should see at least once in their lifetime if at all possible!
