In antiquity, it was called Vindilis. Belle-île en-mer is the largest
of the Islands off the coast of Brittany. 12 miles long and 3.7 miles
wide, it's also the highest island, with its highest point at 232 feet
above sea level.
There are four towns on Belle Ile with a total of 4800 inhabitants. Located
about 18 miles (apart from Quiberon) from the mainland, the Island benefits
from a mild climate and an extraordinarily diverse number of botanical
species: fig trees stand next to eucalyptus, mimosas, gingko trees and
oleanders.
Most visitors only stay one day on the island. We advise you to stay
a bit longer. The island is full of hidden creeks, little beaches called
"ports", coastal paths, ... get your bike out, or see the island
by car, or even better on horseback! Anything is possible! Gustave Courbet
and Claude Monet were two of the islands most famous residents. Sarah
Bernhardt owned a house at pointe des Poulains. The island owes its international
reputation to these famous artists. 
From the Palais, where you'll come into port, a picture perfect road
will lead you up hills and through pastures for a final destination of
Sauzon. Monet painted this charming little port when he stayed in there
for several months in 1886. A little further down the road, you'll find
the very old village of Bangor and its church and its incredible acoustics.
If you'd like to get away from the mad rush of tourists, and imagine yourself
in the hills of Ireland, take a rest stop at Locamaria, one of the wildly
beautiful spots on the island.
For people who like to hike or walk, the island offers a wide variety
of beautiful sites to see:" les aiguilles de Port Coton", "la
pointe des Poulains", the Apothecary's Cave (watch out! Lot's of
seagulls... don't forget a hat!), Port Goulphar and its 295 foot lighthouse,
Locmaria (11th century church), Le Palais and its 16th century citadel
surrounded by fortifications designed by Vauban (museum).
 How
to get there: there is regular ferry surface from the mainland to "Le
Palais" (or Sauzon from April to September)... You can bring your car
to the island, but it's very difficult to get a spot for it on the boat
during tourist season (make your reservation several months in advance).
For further information contact the Société Morbihannaise
de Navigation.
Otherwise, once you're on the island you can rent bikes and cars.
Pirmil |
France :