Northern brittany
the Rich of their differences, the islands of the coast of Emerald, Pink Granite, or the Finistère offer faces both rural and maritime, peaceful and fiery. If you have already scoured Ouessant, Mullein, Cézembre or the Seven Islands, here are three jewels in which refuge to the robinsonnades tonic.
BRÉHAT, THE TROPICAL
Passing a few miles off the coast, the warm current of the Gulf Stream provides the enchanting island of Côtes-d’armor of a microclimate conducive to the blossoming of the roses, passiflora, but also of eucalyptus, fig and other honeysuckles. Nestled in the middle of an archipelago, “the garden island ” is the land of brittany, the most advanced in the Sleeve, and strolls on foot or by bike from the south island to the north island (the wild) by the bridge built by Vauban in 1694, until the lighthouse of the Peacock , all of pink granite. From there, one sees surge of the swell coming from the other side of the Atlantic : exhilarating !
How to get there ? From the pier of the Arcouest, located 7 km north of Paimpol, is crossed by a 10 min boat ride with the Vedettes de Bréhat (www.vedettesdebrehat.com ; excursions with free time on the island are offered in the summer from Saint-Quay-Portrieux/Binic and Erquy).
Where to lunch ? The bourg-de-Bréhat, a ten minute walk from the port, concentrates almost all of the shops and restaurants of the archipelago. But the best option is to buy some what to make a picnic, to enjoy without waiting for a lazing in the coves scented.
BATZ GENEROUS
After only a quarter of an hour’s crossing by boat, people enjoy and there is oxygen in Batz, a small village island located off Roscoff in northern Brittany. Adobe Stock
2 km from Roscoff, the family and lush island of Batz (pronounced Ba) is a concentrated wealth of botanical on a territory of pocket : 3.5 km long and 1.5 km wide. The climate is mild and oceanic , the caress allows a market culture of high quality ; the vegetables grow remarkably well on the 180 ha of cultivated land, of which ¾ are organic – you will enjoy it fully in the restaurants of the island ! After enjoying the beautiful white sand beaches , we visit the exciting garden Georges Delaselle (www.jardin-georgesdelaselle.fr ; rate adult 5 €, child fare 2,50€), where palm trees and cacti the played to more than 2 500 species of trees and flowers from all over the world. A trail, not marked allowing you to walk along the 10 km of coast in 2: 30 of walking.
How to get there ? In 15 minutes from Roscoff, with the Stars of the island of Batz (www.vedettes-ile-de-batz.com ; round-trip adult 9 €, round-trip children 2 to 6 €). No cars circulate on the island.
Where to sleep ? At the charming hotel Les Herbes Folles, for its stunning view on the sea and its atmosphere is very cozy (www.hotel-iledebatz.com ; double room 74-109 € according to season).
read also : Bay of Morlaix: the full of iodine to Roscoff
THE WILD
The village of Sein island at high tide. Adobe Stock
The wind is all-powerful, and its people have the soul well soaked. Surrounded current rushing , culminating at less than 10 meters above sea level, this tiny piece of earth peeled to a few kilometers from the pointe du Raz flirts with one of the shipping lanes the most dangerous in the world. In its surroundings austere, Breast seduced by his incredible light bathing the colorful houses of the fishermen. We explore its narrow streets, it is deep in the contemplation of the Iroise sea from the heights of the lighthouse Goulenez , before a final bike ride along its stone walls at sunset.
How to get there ? The company Penn ar Bed (www.pennarbed.fr ; round-trip adult 30€, round-trip, child 20 €) ensures the crossing in an hour from the dock of Sainte-Évette, 3 km of Audierne. Weekly Service between Camaret and Within mid-June to mid-September, as well as between Breast and Brest (1h30 crossing).
Where to stay and eat ? Installed in a big pink house, the hotel Ar Men (www.hotel-armen.net ; double room 75-155 € according to season) is the only one in the island ; it eats fish and seafood in an atmosphere that is outdated, but you can also dine at Tatoon before taking a drink At Bruno.
Bretagne Sud
If you already know the archipelago of Glénan, Belle Île, or île aux Moines, it is time to board their little sisters more confidential. All located in the Morbihan, these three havens of peace will seduce the sea-wolf to the tender heart that lies dormant in you.
GROIX AUTHENTIC
As an impression of the Caribbean at the beach of Grands Sables at Groix. Adobe Stock
in the Face of Lorient, Groix is the second largest island of Brittany. Famous for its range convex of the Great Sands , she was also the first tuna port in French at the beginning of the Twentieth century. Of this glorious past there remain distinct cultural identity – and user-friendly ! -, of croquignolets fishing villages , the canning and fumaisons fish , which are the delight of visitors. The poetry of the landscapes groisillons (coves with crystal clear waters like in the cove of Port Saint-Nicolas, beach garnet coloured Sands-Red, narrow streets of Port-Tudy…) can be enjoyed by bike, on the 40 km of paths that crisscross the island.
How to get there ? 45 mn from Lorient, with Compagnie Océane (www.compagnie-oceane.fr ; go simple adult 14 €, single ticket child 7 €).
Where to eat and sleep ? The hotel Ty Mad (www.tymad.com ; double room from 83€) also offers lovely apartments in the summer. We love the restaurant / pub attached, the Boys of The Port, for its warm and its map of organic wines.
What to do with the children ? It brings the Parcabout, magical acrobatic course in the trees created by a mateloteur traditional www.parcaboutgroix.com).
read more : 24 hours on the island of Groix, a miracle of nature
ARZ FIERCE
The tidal mill of Berno on the island of Arz in the gulf of Morbihan in Brittany. Adobe Stock
The flat and peaceful island of Arz, nestled in the heart of the splendid gulf of Morbihan, is frequented by a few insiders who prefer it to its neighbour, the island to the Monks, very crowded in summer. Some marsh and meadows (kingdom of migratory birds), beaches shaded and secret coves , surrounding a beautiful flower village located 2 km from the port. The “island of the captains” gave to the sea several dynasties of sailors, as evidenced by the beautiful homes of the owners of the village , which is also home to a touching church of the Eighteenth century. The coastal footpath of 18 km which makes the tour of the island is a super bike ride (the rental companies are located at the landing of Béluré) ; the picturesque tidal mill of Berno is one of the highlights of the visit.
How to get there ? From the maritime station of Vannes, with the Navix-Compagnie des Iles (www.navix.fr), The Company of the Gulf (www.compagnie-du-golfe.fr) and the bus (Boat) to the Gulf (www.ile-arz.fr) which serve all the island for the same price (from 21,30 €). Also from Port Navalo Locmariaquer and Kerners with The Passeur des Iles (www.passeurdesiles.com ; go simple adult 13 €, single ticket child 7 €), and since Baden with Izenah Cruises (www.izenah-croisieres.com ; return adult 10 €, go back child 8 €).
Where to eat & drink ? At The Fountain, after the charming hamlet of Penero : fresh, organic, vegetarian, and very pleasant terrace.
HOUAT The ENSORCELLEUSE
Houat, off the coast of Quiberon, with its wild nature and its 250 inhabitants in the year is an island staple in the south of Brittany. Adobe Stock
off The coast of Quiberon, this island thumbnail covered with a moor rase is ideal for disconnect. We did the tour on foot in a few hours by the superb coastal path which leads in particular to the advanced In Tal and fort of the Nineteenth century overlooking a beach-convex. No car on the jewel-fringed coves with crystal clear water, which lives mainly of small-scale fisheries. Its beach Treac’h er Goured , which is protected from the westerly winds, and stretching in an arc over more than 2 km, is considered one of the most beautiful of Brittany.
How to get there ? In 30-40 mins from Quiberon with the Compagnie Océane (www.compagnie-oceane.fr ; go simple adult 15,50-17,50 € according to the season, going simple child 8,50 €) or at the start of Vannes, Port Navalo Locmariaquer and la Trinité-sur-Mer with the Navix-Compagnie des Iles (www.navix.fr ; go simple adult 22,10€ (one way) child 3-18,20 € depending on age).
Where to sleep ? We offer a night or two on the moor, opposite the beach, in a charming furnished tent (laboiteapoissons.fr ; from may 1 to September 20 ; 64 €/night for 2 people, 98 €/night for 4 people).
The discreet charm of the islands accessible to piedPassage to the island Ebrd, Larmor-Baden, Morbihan. Adobe Stock
many “pebbles” (that is, as well as the Bretons call affectionately their islands and islets are accessible on foot at low tide ; you can find the timetables and the coefficients of the tides on maree.shom.fr or in printed form in the captains, the press houses, and offices of tourism. Do not hesitate to ask advice to the locals before you embark on your ride, to be sure not to find yourself trapped by the flood (a term indicating the sea that goes up).
starting from Saint-Jacut-de-la-Mer , in the Côtes d’armor, you can reach the beautiful Hébihens , spread over 20 hectares, to enjoy its heavenly beaches (around 6.5 km round-trip). Once a year, in August, we trek night at the torch : magic ! (information from the Tourist Office).Displaying substantially the same surface area, the bucolic island of Ebrd , in the Morbihan gulf, is connected to Larmor-Baden by a causeway and a long of 80 m, which uncovers at low water. Very woody, it hides a mansion of the Nineteenth and of the species of exotic trees ; we made the tour in an hour.In front of the port finistérien of Carantec , in the bay of Morlaix, the island Callot is also connected to the land by a causeway and submersible (it is about a 20 min walk), that you can even borrow in car. Do not miss the charming chapel of the sailors overlooking a lovely beach, or the northern tip of the island, where the view sweeps up to Roscoff.
SEE ALSO “Make the tour of the Île-de-France on foot, go to sleep in the forest or go to Meaux to look for brie to ride!”
