8 of Brittany’s most beautiful islands to visit
Guaranteed escape to the heart of Brittany’s most beautiful islands
Another jewel in the crown of Brittany is its impressive number of beautiful islands. In fact, there are almost 800 of them, islands, islets and archipelagos. This richness makes Brittany an idyllic place for local flora and fauna, where some species have even been preserved.
Some are wild, others heavenly, but what they all have in common is that they celebrate Brittany’s diversity.
We won’t have the time or space to introduce you to each of its 800 islands, so we’ve decided to make the top 8. Here are a few tips to help you plan your day of discovery.
The island of Groix
The island of Groix is a must for your vacation, especially when you stay at Flower Camping Le Kergariou.
The island is not only a meeting place for tourists, but also the home of many Groisillons, who are proud of their island. Coastal paths, sandy beaches, bike rides, visits to Port-Tudy and the village – there’s something for everyone.
How to get to the island
Departing from the port of Doëlan, just 1.5km from Flower Camping Le Kergariou, the Cadou company welcomes you for a 1-hour crossing.
You’ll arrive in Port-Tudy, where you’ll find plenty of shops to help you organize your visit to the island.
This island is renowned for its sporting activities: hiking boots or cycling helmets, the choice is yours.
Where to eat on Groix?
Port-Tudy
- L’auberge du pêcheur (restaurant)
- Pub de la jetée (brewery)
- Les garçons du port (brasserie)
- Le Mojo (snack bar)
- La Morgann (traditional Groix dishes)
- Chez Pouzoulic creperie
Le Bourg
- La crêperie de l’île (restaurant and crêperie)
- Le Cinquante (traditional restaurant/Cave)
- Restaurant de la Marine
- Restaurant/bar le Bao
- La Chaloupe creperie
- Chez Sandrine creperie
Locmaria
- Restaurant la plage
- Pop’sTavern (snack bar)
Belle-Île-en-Mer
Belle-île-en-mer is second only to Corsica in size among the islands of mainland France, which is a source of great pride for this pretty region of Brittany.
The landscapes here are all magnificent and exotic, where nature blends in for a rejuvenating break on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.
Its towns and coastline are a breath of fresh air, with grandiose panoramas and unspoilt nature.
How to get to the island
Depart from Quiberon or Vannes, less than 1 hour from Flower Camping Le Kergariou, and take the boat to Belle-île-en-mer.
From Quiberon, the crossing takes just over an hour and takes you directly to the heart of the island, where there are a number of possibilities: walking, bike hire, car hire or the bus.
For information, Belle-île-en-mer is the largest of the Ponant islands, 17km long and 8km wide.
What to do in Belle-île-en-mer
- Explore the beaches
- Hiking
- Visit the picturesque villages of Le Palais, Sauzon and Bangor
- Discover the Citadelle Vauban
- Scuba diving
- Art and culture
- Visit Notre-Dame-Du-Bois-Tors
- Visit the Grande Phare
Ushant Island
“The last land before America” is what the island of Ouessant is called. This jewel of the Iroise Sea has many facets: rocky cliffs, wild coves, exceptional flora and fauna and the mythical Créac’h lighthouse.
You won’t want to miss the famous Ouessant sheep, the pride of this 1,558-hectare island.
How to get to the island
Leaving from Camaret or Le Conquet with Finist’mer Excursions, it’s after 1h15 on the waters of the Atlantic that you’ll discover this pretty island.
Alternatively, leave from Brest with Compagnie Maritime Penn ar Bed to enjoy a 2h30 cruise before descending to the port of Le Stiff where bike hire, coaches, shuttles and cabs await you…
Where to eat on Ushant Island?
Restaurants
- Y’a Skiff
- Ty Korn
- Sport Ouessant Spa
- Roch Ar Mor
- Mac Ludo
- The Ouessantin
- Fromveur
- Fromruz
- Duchesse Anne
Creperies
- Crêperie de l’arrivée
- Chez Carole
- Crêpe à l’Ouest
- Crêperie du Stang
The island of Sein
Of the Ponant islands, Sein is undoubtedly one of the most surprising, with its many viewpoints thanks to its particular shape. Just 7.20km from the Pointe du Raz, this island has remained very natural, blending in perfectly with its maritime surroundings.
The smell of seaweed and the sound of the ocean waves are omnipresent in this green setting, which is carefully tended and watched over by its inhabitants.
How to get to the island
Departing from Audierne, around 100km from Flower Camping Le Kergariou, you set off for a crossing of around 1 hour.
It’s almost like cruising along the Breton coast from the open sea, with the famous Pointe du Raz in particular.
You can also depart from Camaret or Brest with the Compagnie Maritime Penn ar Bed.
What to do on the Ile de Sein?
- Explore the beaches
- Hiking
- Visit the Saint-Corentin chapel
- A stroll along the quai des Paimpolais
- Admire the menhirs of the luthiers
- Contemplating the great lighthouse
- Visit the Ecomuseum and Remembrance Museum
- Visit the Lifesaving Museum
The Glenan Archipelago
Fine sand, turquoise water, sunshine: it’s a postcard of the Seychelles that awaits you on the Glénan archipelago in Brittany.
Rich in exceptional flora and fauna, the archipelago is classified Natura 2000 to protect its famous Narcisse des Glénan.
For the more sporty, the famous Les Glénans sailing school awaits you to enjoy the gliding sports.
How to get to the archipelago?
Trégunc, Concarneau or Bénodet, it’s up to you to choose your point of departure to discover this wonderful archipelago.
In less than 45 minutes from Flower camping Le Kergariou, you choose your port of departure to spend a day in a heavenly setting.
On site, you arrive on the main island of Saint-Nicolas, but don’t forget your beach towel and sunglasses!
What to do in Glenan
- Farniente, relaxation, beach
- Hiking
- Introduction to board sports
- Archipelago cruise
- Watching daffodils (in spring)
Batz Island
With 12 km to go around the island, Batz is known for its agricultural land where fishermen, market gardeners and farmers live together. The land is impregnated with the scent of iodine, making crops a real source of wealth and the pride of the 450 islanders. With its microclimate, Batz is an exceptionally mild place, even for exotic plants, as you can see at the Georges Delaselle garden.
How to get to the archipelago?
Head for North Finistère, and in particular the port of Roscoff, where a shuttle will take you to the island of Batz in just 15 minutes.
For your information, we advise you to park in the free parking lot at Roscoff SNCF station, and to walk a few hundred meters to the port.
In high season, crossings take place every 30 minutes; in medium and low season, we advise you to ask for information, although crossings are always very frequent.
Where to eat on Batz island?
- PAB (Penn Ar Batz)
- La Cassonade
- Little Venoc
- La crêperie du Phare
- Bar du Port
- Gortozen’ Café
- Pesked Café
The island of Molène
Small and charming, the island of Molène covers just 72 hectares and has a population of 162, making it an island on a human scale!
This island truly lives to the rhythm of the ocean, and the landscapes to the south of the island are not the same.
The horizon is not the same at high tide as it is at low tide, when numerous offshore islets can be discovered.
How to get to the island
Departing from Brest, Le Conquet or Ouessant, the island of Molène is just as accessible from the mainland as from the other Ponant islands.
The crossing takes 1h30 (from Brest) or 30 minutes (Conquet and Ponant), and drops you off at the ferry terminal, where you can easily get around on foot.
What to do on the island of Molène?
- Explore the beaches
- Hiking
- Fishing on foot
- Sailing in the Iroise Sea
- Visit the Drummond Castle Museum
- Nautical activities
The island of Bréhat
Discover the island of Bréhat, an island of a thousand colors, with its magnificent blocks of pink granite, typical of this region of North Finistère.
The 13km coastal path around the island allows you to admire ever more spectacular landscapes.
The island’s rich flora will transport you with its many exotic plants and sweet island scents.
On foot or by bike, discover this exotic island just a few kilometers from the mainland.
How to get to the island
The commune of Ploubazlanec, and more specifically the Vedettes de Bréhat company, will welcome you for a quick 10-minute crossing.
For parking, we recommend the Cornec parking lot, just 5 – 10 minutes’ walk from the pier.
After this delightful crossing, you’ll arrive at Port Clos, in the heart of this island of flowers, where the island’s charm will naturally be at work.
Where to eat on the island of Bréhat?
- La Gourmande Île
- La Potinière
- Le Crech Kerio
- The Shamrock
- Le Paradis Rose
- Le 22
- The Crew
- L’Entracte
- Le Belevue
- Sea Crêpes and Sun
- O Garden
- Sandwicherie de la place
- La Cabounette
- Le Bistrot de l’Allegoat
- My Brehatin
- The bottle in the sea
- La Vieille Auberge
