Take the time to to visit some of our islands during your stay at the campsite near Belle Ile, and enjoy the peace and unspoilt nature of the forty or so islands in the Gulf of Morbihan, as well as Houat, Hoedic and Belle Ile.
Take the time to to visit some of our islands during your stay at the campsite near Belle Ile, and enjoy the peace and unspoilt nature of the forty or so islands in the Gulf of Morbihan, as well as Houat, Hoedic and Belle Ile.
The Golfe du Morbihan, which means “the little sea” in Breton, and its islands offer a host of beautiful walks. Embark at Port Navalo, 15 minutes from the campsite, to visit and enjoy Belle Ile.
Lîle aux Moines, 312 hectares in size and 7 km long, was donated by the King of Brittany to the monks of Redon Abbey in the 9th century. It’s known as the pearl of the Gulf, with its low-lying fishermen’s cottages. A good way to enjoy the largest of the Gulf’s islands is to bring your own bike or rent one (4 rental companies are on site).
Gavrinis is one of the most beautiful megalithic sites in the world. Its Cairn, more than 8m high and 50m in diameter, covers a dolmen. 23 of the 29 orthostats (a kind of Greco-Roman rectangular column) are decorated with engravings, esoteric signs, spirals, axe circles and arches. A corridor more than 12 m long leads to a central burial chamber.
At low tide, Île Berder is linked to Larmor Baden by a submersible causeway some 80 meters long. This island is private but accessible to visitors on its periphery (2.5 km path). Visitors can enjoy Mediterranean vegetation, including numerous palm trees, as well as lovely views over the Gulf.
Île Tascon in Saint Armel is a little different from the other islands in the Gulf in that it is linked to the mainland by the Rodu passage, a submersible road accessible 2 hours before and after low tide by foot, bike or car.
Houat and Hoëdic, from north to south, means “duck” and “duckling” in Breton. They are easily visible from the coast. Houat, a typical example of unspoiled nature, is 5 km long. The port of Saint Gildas is bustling with activity, and fishing plays an important role. A path winds around the island and the cliffs reveal a number of small coves. Trea’h er Goured, a pretty sandy beach, surrounds the tip of Tal er Hah.
Hoëdic covers an area of 2km², i.e. 2.5 km long and 800 m wide. It has a population of around one hundred. In the right season, you can enjoy its fine sandy beaches and turquoise waters.
A fort built in the 19th century now houses a gite d’étape. The dunes are coloured by the sea lily. Also worth a visit are the dolmen de la Croix, the Menhir de la Vierge (5th millennium BC), and the ovens where seaweed was used as fertilizer or even fuel in the absence of wood.
There is a bus service from Le Goh Velin, a campsite close to Belle Ile en Mer, but you can also rent bicycles on site and use the cycle paths. Compagnie Océane and Compagnie du Golfe offer crossings from April to October. Allow around 1 hour for the crossing, so you can spend a good part of the day on this beautiful island. It’s best to book in advance. Highlights include the needles of Port Coton, the Pointe des Poulains and its lighthouse house, Sarah Bernard’s house, the Goulphar lighthouse (also known as the Kervilahouen lighthouse) with its superb view, the Kerdonis lighthouse, and the Vauban citadel, which also offers some very pretty views.