The beauty of the south of Brittany!
We love vacations on islands. As soon as you get on the ferry and leave the mainland, the vacation feeling sets in. We reach the Breton coastal town of Quiberon early in the morning, park our car for the ferry ride (be sure to book in advance) and first enjoy a café au lait and a galette bretonne overlooking the large sandy bay of Quiberon. While the kids can climb over the rocks with the crawfish, there are many wonderfully handmade things to discover in the wonderful little galleries and stores in the town center.
Then the trip to the island starts with moving car into the belly of the ferry, which is an adventure in itself. We spend the approx. 45 minute crossing to Palais on deck, which even has a helipad. With each nautical mile covered the Belle-Ile on the horizon gets closer. When we reach Palais, the island’s main town, we are immediately enchanted. The unique light of Brittany, the clear air and the picturesque coastal town with its pastel colored house fronts, immediately one is far away from everything. Islands decelerate. Our way to the hotel in the north of the island leads us through small villages with the wonderful wild flower meadows and the largest hydrangea bushes, which perfectly match the colors of the shutters. And then the wildest coastline with the most powerful rock formations appears in front of us. It feels like we are going to heaven.
Behind us the largeest lighthouse of the island with approx. 50 km range before our accommodation for the next week. the hotel Le Grand Large. Like a small castle in old bath architecture it watches over the cliffs of the Port Coton, which already Monet painted. As if from another time we feel here. A bit stately and yet very close to nature. The terrace where we have breakfast has the most unbeatable view. Beware of the seagulls that steal our baguette from the plates. When it’s too windy for the beach – our favorite is the Plage de Donnant (guarded surf beach, board rental, surf school) – we enjoy the wind-protected pool at the hotel. Our favorite place becomes Sauzon. Here meet in the evening the sailors on a Kir Breton and Huitres, the best crêpes and Gauffres you eat with the kids on the harbor wall and the day ends not before sunset. When caching in the harbor basin crabs, mussels and fish go into the net, which of course after close inspection are released back into their freedom. .
The Belle-Ile can be discovered by bike or on foot on one of the adventurous walks very close to the coast. The approximately 4km path from the Phar de Poulain lighthouse to Sauzon is perfect for a family hike. Passing turquoise blue bays, a magical forest and unique viewpoints. Otherwise, we always have crayons and paper in our backpacks alongside water, baguettes and Biscuit Breton (there are no beach shacks or kiosks here). Thus, between the sporting activities on the island, we always become little artists, just as many great painters before us were inspired by the “Beautiful”. Belle-Ile is the perfect place to become aware again of the uniqueness and beauty of nature in all its facets, to shift down a gear and simply enjoy.
La vie est belle en Belle-Ile.
This wonderful inspiration for your family vacation on Belle Île was written by our Local Mate, Kirstin. Thank you!
