Remarkable fauna and flora | Belle-Île-en-Mer Tourist Office

Nature - île photogénique, Belle île en mer, île de Bretagne, Bretagne sud, au large du Golfe du Morbihan — ©Lors de vos promenades vous pourrez observer les nombreuses espèces d'oiseaux de l'île. |Arnaud de Wildenberg

All about the fauna and flora From Belle-Île

Belle-île-en-Mer, the largest of the islands of Brittany, is classified as a site of European interest Natura 2000. A large part of the territory is dedicated to the protection of the natural heritage… Numerous plant and animal species flourish there. On land as well as at sea, Belle-île delights nature lovers.

Déguster local, Nature île Photogénique, Océan, Belle île En Mer, île De Bretagne, Bretagne Sud, Au Large Du Golfe Du Morbihan — ©Son aspect est surprenant mais son goût rappelle celui du crabe ou de la crevette. Pour s’en procurer, rendez-vous sur les marchés de l'île où les pêcheurs proposent de la vente directe|©Erwan AMICE

Déguster Local, Belle île en mer, île de Bretagne, Bretagne sud, au large du Golfe du Morbiha — ©La seiche ou Morgat en breton fait partie de la famille des céphalopodes. On la trouve généralement en eau peu profonde. La seiche est aussi délicieuse au goût. La saison de pêche se trouve de la fin de l'été au début de l'automne. |Erwan Amice

Nature île Photogénique, Océan, Belle île En Mer, île De Bretagne, Bretagne Sud, Au Large Du Golfe Du Morbihan — ©Le poulpe est l'une des espèces que vous allez fréquemment rencontrer lors de vos sorties de plongée sous-marine|Erwan Amice

©Nature île Photogénique, Océan, 4 Saisons, Laminaires Erwan Amice © (15)|©Erwan Amice

Rare and protected natural resources

On the island schist plateau, alternating coastal landscapes and farmland support an original terrestrial and marine biodiversity of rare and sometimes unique species.

Dunes, moors, flowers

A rich and varied flora

Grey and mobile dunes, coastal moors and wandering heather moors (specifically island environments), cliff top lawns and rock crevice vegetation crown the island. Many varieties of protected plants can be discovered, such as the holosted plantain (regional protection), the gadeceau carrot (national protection), various orchids (national protection), the dodder of godron or the Greek toadflax (endemic – national protection) …

Sea, land, and air

A fauna present in all environments

To the fragility of this flora is added that of the animal populations, whose emblems are the nesting birds, without forgetting the amphibians – as an example, the green lizard is protected at the European level – or the butterflies and other more discreet curiosities.

At sea, often forgotten riches cover the seabed: banks of maerl, underwater meadows and, at the foot of the schistose cliffs, develops the most important population of French barnacle.

Déguster Local, Belle île en mer, île de Bretagne, Bretagne sud, au large du Golfe du Morbihan — ©Son aspect est surprenant mais son goût rappelle celui du crabe ou de la crevette. Pour s’en procurer, rendez-vous sur les marchés de l'île où les pêcheurs proposent de la vente directe|Erwan Amice

Nature île Photogénique, 4 Saisons, ©jean Paul Sauvaget — ©Sur le littoral de l’Île, vous trouverez de nombreuses espèces d'oiseaux protégées |Jean-Paul Sauvaget

Nature île Photogénique, Océan, Plages, Belle île En Mer, île De Bretagne, Bretagne Sud, Au Large Du Golfe Du Morbihan — ©La plongée sous-marine une activité parfaite pour découvrir les fonds marins|Erwan Amice

Would you like to go on a guided tour?

Meet the Permanent Center of Initiatives for the Environment Of Belle-île-en-Mer

The CPIE welcomes you in its premises, at the Glacis, in Palais and answers your questions about fauna, flora, geology, the environment and its missions. The CPIE also publishes several books on the nature of Belle-île: Belle-île Nature, a notebook of naturalist hikes or La Petite Flore de Belle-île, listing nearly 300 species, essential tools for your nature walks! Available on site, on order online or at the tourist office.

Tours to natural sites supervised by professionals are also organized by the organization. The rich and varied program corresponds to both adults and children.

Book my visit

Guillaume Février. Director of the CPIE of Belle-île en mer

Take only pictures, leave only prints.

Discover the portrait of Guillaume Février

Nature Ile-Photogénique, Belle île en mer, île de Bretagne, Bretagne sud, au large du Golfe du Morbihan — ©La CPIE organise de nombreuses visites sur les sites naturels de Belle-île. Ici, une observation ornythologique près de Ster Vraz|CPIE

Observe the fauna and flora of Belle-île

Sea side

Hiking, kayaking, paddle, diving…On the trails, between the small creeks, or in the sea bed, Belle-île’s sports activities will allow you to admire all the natural riches of Brittany’s largest island.

Nature - île photogénique, Se dépasser - sports, Océan, Belle île en mer, île de Bretagne, Bretagne sud, au large du Golfe du Morbihan — ©Les kayakistes expérimentés pourront profiter d'une promenade vers la pointe des Poulains. A gauche de l'image, on distingue le phare des Poulains, et à droite le rocher du chien|©Vives Eaux

Kayaking in Belle-île in practice

Kayaking is a fun and relaxing activity that will allow you to expend your energy and explore the main historical and natural sites of Belle-Île in a few strokes of the paddle!...

Where to observe the fauna and flora?

The main natural sites of the island

La Pointe des Poulains

This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful sites on the island…Located at the northeastern tip, in the commune of Sauzon, nature is omnipresent here. This natural site has the distinction of also housing a high point of the island’s historical heritage with the fort of the tragedy Sarah Bernhardt.

I’m discovering!

The Needles of Port Coton

Located due west, on the commune of Bangor, the site allows you to take the measure of the sinuosity and the character so particular of the wild coast. Islands and rocks of all shapes have always fascinated many travelers, the most illustrious of whom is undoubtedly the painter Claude Monet. Before or after your walk to the Aiguilles de Port Coton, discover the Grand Phare de l’île, a stone’s throw away.

Discover!”

The port of Sauzon

If it is always pleasant to stroll along the quays of the port of Sauzon, this one shelters another particularity to discover: its long ria, this stretch of sea penetrating inland. During high tides, put on your boots to discover worms, shells, crustaceans and many other species that hide in the mud.

Discover!”

Donnant Beach

While this beach is well known to surfers for its beautiful rollers, Donnant Beach is also characterized by its dune, one of the most spectacular on the island! The dunes cover about sixty hectares on Belle-île and are home to a very large diversity of plants, sometimes rare and all adapted to the drought.

Discover!”