TOP 3 beaches for sunrise | Belle-Île-en-Mer Tourist Office

#1 Ramonette, a small beach

A stone's throw from Le Palais

©
Petite plage de sable fin, la Ramonette se situe à quelques minutes de marche de Le Palais
|
Fabien Giordano, Bellimages

Barely a 10 minute walk from Le Palais by the coastal path, this atypical cove’s geography gives a superb view of the sunrise. Situated at the end of a deep valley, the area’s imposing topography offers a number of excellent view points over Quiberon and the islands of Houat and Hoëdic.

Ramonette is the first stop on the coastal trail towards the “soft coast’s” golden sand beaches of Port-Guen, Bordardoué and les Grands-Sables.

Discover Le Palais

its monuments and architecture

After your visit to Ramonette, why not continue your exploration of Belle-Ile with a morning excursion to Le Palais? A pleasant 2.5km tree-lined trail leads along the Second Empire era urban fortifications, showcasing its impressive and complex set of defences. This route also offers stunning views on Palais’ iconic landmark, the “Citadelle Vauban” towering over the town.

©
L'enceinte ubraine a été édifiée sous le second Empire. Une promenade balisée d'1h30 vous fera découvrir toutes les fortifications de Le Palais avec différents points de vue.
|
©Antoine Corpel

©
La Ramonette : une plage à quelques minutes de Le Palais
|
©Fabien Giordano, Bellimages

From Le Palais, the GR®340 trail that takes you to Ramonette starts on rue Jules Simon, on the port.

By car, head towards Bangor via the Vauban Gates, then immediately turn left on to “Route de Port Hallan”

You can also stock up on fresh produce at the Le Palais market, which runs year-round from Tuesday to Saturday in the town centre. On offer: fruits and vegetables, cheeses, Kouign-amann, crêpes, and galettes. Local fishermen are occasionally present to sell their catch at auction.

You will also have the opportunity to explore Vauban’s citadel with live tours. These 1.5 hour tours take place both outdoors with a tour of the guardhouse, and indoors with the naval museum.

#2 Bordardoué

A magnificent viewpoint

On Quiberon and the islands of Morbihan

©
A proximité du Palais, la plage de Bordardoué offre un spot de baignade abrité. C'est aussi un endroit propice pour observer le patrimoine local, de nombreuses fortifications entourent le site
|
Philippe Dannic

This sandy beach is located just over 3 km from Le Palais via the coastal trail. At this point on the island, the rolling terrain of the GR340 provides sightlines over Quiberon, the islands of Houat and Hoëdic, the entrance to the port of Palais, and typical Vauban military fortifications such as the redoubt of Gros Rocher (Big Rock). Bordardoué is also one of the most remarkable natural sites along the “soft” coast. The quartz and multicoloured tuff cliffs offer exceptional colours at sunrise. Upon arrival at Bordardoué, you will walk through a small sand dune that leads directly to the fine sand of the beach and, at low tide, you can access caves and small coves that border Bordardoué.

Bordardoué is also one of the places to try a quintessential Breton activity, “pêche à pied” (shore fishing). During strong tidal coefficients, search for shellfish found along the coastline such as clams and cockles, and perhaps even prepare a delicious meal!

Explore some of the most impressive

Monuments of the Breton coast

Several military batteries were built around Bordardoué in the 18th century to defend against the British: the Gros Rocher battery to the south, and Fort Larron to the north as well as La Belle Fontaine. This structure was built under Vauban’s supervision in 1703 and was used as a freshwater storage facility for ships heading to the Indies. La Belle Fontaine is free to visit from April to September.

©
Egalement appelée Aiguade de Vauban, l'entrée dans ce monument est libre
|
Fabien Giordano, Bellimages

The local brewery, La Morgat, sits barely 200 meters from Bordardoué. Open from the 1st of April to September 30th, this establishment offers direct sales between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. as well as tours and beer tastings at 6.

- By bus: from the Le Palais bus station, take line 3 towards Locmaria and get off at the Port Salio stop.
- By bike: from Le Palais, take the coastal road towards Locmaria. Turn left at the hamlet of Port Salio.
- On foot, from the center of Le Palais, a rather easy 3.5 km 1h15 walk will take you to Bordardoué along the scenic coastal trails.

.

Bordardoué is an excellent beach to learn one of the most Breton pastimes: Shore fishing! Shore fishing (or intertidal fishing) consists of walking up and down the intertidal zone of a beach during high coefficient tides and looking for shellfish like clams, cockles or razor clams. Why not have a go yourself and maybe even concoct a delicious dish with your catch!

Boating trips

Explore Belle-Île

Discover Houat and Hoëdic

Some of Belle-Ile’s professional skippers offer guided and interactive tours of Belle-Ile and its surroundings! Deals on offer are varied; half-day trips to the Kerdonis or Poulains headlands, full day tours around the island, fishing and angling trips and even expeditions to neighbouring Houat and Hoëdic! These are some of our best recommendations to make the most of your stay and fully enjoy the Ocean.

Sea outings

A sporty beach

©
La plus grande plage de sable de Belle-Ile vous permettra de profiter d'une promenade au bord de l'eau. De nombreux loisirs nautiques sont également disponibles : kayak, paddle, et voile.
|
©Loup Samzun

Located in the commune of Locmaria, it is the largest of Belle-Ile’s beaches. Coastal trails around it are easy and wide, giving incomparable views of the “soft” coast, making them ideal for hikers seeking an easy, relaxing walk. The climbs and descents are gentle and quickly lead to magnificent views.

Hike, kayak, or paddle

Discover Locmaria on foot, and on the water!

An 8km discovery loop to surrounding fortifications starts out from neighbouring Samzun beach. Strongpoints of all eras line the coast, from the German bunker complex at La Biche point to the 17th century horseshoe shaped coastal battery of Bugul point.
If watersports are more your speed, Grands Sables is the ideal start point for splendid sea kayak or paddle board outings along the Locmaria coast.

©
La côte douce et ses grandes plages de sable sont parfaites pour la pratique du paddle
|
©Fabien Giordano, Bellimages

©
L'agriculture est plus particulièrement l'élevage sont des activités économiques vitales. Près de la moitié des 85 km2 de l'île est exploitée par une cinquantaine d'agriculteurs. Elevage bovin et le label "Viande des Embruns", élevage ovin et le label "Agneau du large
|
Loup Samzun

Getting to Grands-Sables
Water activities

By bus: from the Le Palais bus station, take line 3 to Locmaria and get off at the stop Les Grands-Sables.
By bike: the green cycle route will lead you to Grands-Sables in 7 km from Le Palais and 3 km from Locmaria.
On foot: From Le Palais, this is a 7.4km, easy hike with 164m of elevation change. From Locmaria however, the 7.3km trail is more rugged and has 265m of elevation change.

Well sheltered from waves and wind, it is one of the best spots for nautical activities: sailing, kayaking, paddle. On site equipment rentals and lessons with schools present on the beach are available :