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Boucle Le Palais - Port Fouquet
Walks and hikes
in Le Palais
10.3
km
Loop
Walks and hikes
2h 45min
Easy
- Alerte
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Along the trail, you will pass through wild areas whose beauty is due in part to the absence of facilities. For this reason, there are no bins, water points, or toilets. You must therefore take all your waste with you (including toilet paper) and ensure you carry enough water before leaving your accommodation.
Please note that since June 2022, walking poles with metal tips have been prohibited along the entire coastal path on Belle-Île. Walking poles without metal tips, or fitted with rubber ends, remain permitted.
These measures have been introduced to reduce trail erosion and damage to vegetation caused by the use of walking poles, and to preserve the quality and long-term sustainability of the path.
The trail is often steep and may be slippery after rain. Wear appropriate footwear, remain vigilant, keep away from cliff edges, and do not leave children or pets unattended.
The trail is open to all forms of pedestrian use, including hikers, walkers, and trail runners. Common sense and courtesy are essential to ensure everyone’s safety.
Help us monitor the trails: info@belle-ile.com
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The perfect balance between heritage and nature at Le Palais' gates. Once past the Vauban Citadel, the coastal path – the famous GR340 – opens up to hikers, winding between coves, beaches, and the first rolling valleys. The sea views give this loop an undeniable charm.
- Departure
- Le Palais
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Difference in height
- 198.9 m
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Route interest
- The perfect balance between heritage and nature at Le Palais' gates. Once past the Vauban Citadel, the coastal path — the famous GR340 — opens up to hikers, winding between coves, beaches, and the first rolling hills. The sea views give this loop an undeniable charm.
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Did you know ?
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Fort de Taillefer:
On the Taillefer site, the original 17th-century battery—frequently altered during the 18th century—has disappeared. A guardhouse was built in 1860, at the same time as thirteen others on the island. In 1893, it was levelled and covered with earth to serve as a storage facility when Taillefer was converted into a fort equipped with naval artillery and an underground powder magazine. The forts of Ramonette and Gros-Rocher, two other fortifications on the island, underwent the same transformation.
The Bruté Estate:
In 1766, the royal estate of Belle-Île was divided among the inhabitants, with the exception of a tract of heathland in the centre of the island, granted to Guillaume Bruté de Rémur. He attempted to clear the land and make it suitable for farming, but without success. From 1808 onwards, the Trochu family purchased part of the estate and carried out a new phase of land clearing, followed by tree planting and cultivation over more than 100 hectares. A manor house (Souverain) with its observatory, a mill, and extensive farm buildings were constructed. A century later, in 1902, the State bought the estate from the Trochu family for the agricultural education of the children of the penal colony.
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Documentation
- GPX / KML files allow you to export the trail of your hike to your GPS (or other navigation tool)
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- See all reviews
How to reach the start
Cross the footbridge by the lock gate between the beaching harbour on the right and the Saline on the left. Enter the Citadel’s moat via the bridge and follow the walkway to the ramp leading to the Porte du Donjon and follow the red and yellow markings left.
Steps
After crossing the drawbridge of the Citadel’s main gate, take the stone staircase set into the low wall on the right. Follow the coastal path towards Castoul Beach. About 250 metres beyond the beach, the trail descends to an old breakwater or dock of uncertain origin.
The path then turns left and climbs to a paved road heading north toward the Taillefer semaphore tower. About 100 metres before the tower, turn right between houses and hedges onto a narrow dirt path skirting the cliffs of Pointe de Taillefer. This section passes through the remains of fortifications from three periods: late 17th to early 18th century, mid-19th century, and the 1930s.
Continue along the coastal trail toward Port Fouquet, a sheltered inlet historically used as a landing place. In the second half of the 19th century, a garrison fort and ramparts were built to prevent enemy landings.
Follow the track up the small valley, cross the road, and continue uphill along a wooded path. On reaching the D30, turn left for 115 metres, then cross and follow the road through Loctudy toward the Bruté estate.
As you pass through the Trochu woods, the buildings of the Souverain estate appear through the trees on the right, followed shortly by those of the Bruté estate on the left, visible through a gated entrance. At the end of the road, turn left, then take the next left 600 metres later toward Bordustard.
Pass through the village and descend a lush valley to the end of the Saline. On the left, behind a stone wall, lies an open area known as “Le Potager”, formerly owned by Madame Fouquet and once planted with vines and fruit trees.
Follow the Saline back to the port of Le Palais.
The path then turns left and climbs to a paved road heading north toward the Taillefer semaphore tower. About 100 metres before the tower, turn right between houses and hedges onto a narrow dirt path skirting the cliffs of Pointe de Taillefer. This section passes through the remains of fortifications from three periods: late 17th to early 18th century, mid-19th century, and the 1930s.
Continue along the coastal trail toward Port Fouquet, a sheltered inlet historically used as a landing place. In the second half of the 19th century, a garrison fort and ramparts were built to prevent enemy landings.
Follow the track up the small valley, cross the road, and continue uphill along a wooded path. On reaching the D30, turn left for 115 metres, then cross and follow the road through Loctudy toward the Bruté estate.
As you pass through the Trochu woods, the buildings of the Souverain estate appear through the trees on the right, followed shortly by those of the Bruté estate on the left, visible through a gated entrance. At the end of the road, turn left, then take the next left 600 metres later toward Bordustard.
Pass through the village and descend a lush valley to the end of the Saline. On the left, behind a stone wall, lies an open area known as “Le Potager”, formerly owned by Madame Fouquet and once planted with vines and fruit trees.
Follow the Saline back to the port of Le Palais.
- 199 meters of difference in height
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- Start altitude : 4 m
- End altitude : 4 m
- Maximum altitude : 51 m
- Minimum altitude : 1 m
- Total positive elevation : 199 m
- Total negative elevation : -199 m
- Max positive elevation : 22 m
- Min positive elevation : -22 m
