Boucle Sauzon - Ster Vras

Country walking circuits, Walks and hikes, Discovery lanes on foot in Sauzon

11.5 km

Loop

Walks and hikes

Medium

Alerte

Along the trail, you will pass through wild areas whose beauty is due in part to the absence of infrastructure. For this reason, you will find no bins, water points, or toilets. You must therefore carry out all of your waste (including toilet paper) and plan ahead for the amount of water you will need before leaving your accommodation.

Please note that since June 20th 2022, walking poles with metal tips are prohibited along the entire coastal path on Belle-Île. The use of walking poles without metallic tips, or equipped with rubber tips remains permitted.
These measures have been taken due to the increased risk of trail erosion and vegetation damage caused by the use of walking poles, in order to preserve the quality and long-term sustainability of the trail.

The path can be quite steep, and slippery after rain. Wear appropriate footwear, remain vigilant, do not approach cliff edges, and do not leave children or pets unsupervised.

The trail is open to all pedestrian activities: hikers, walkers, and trail runners.
Common sense and courtesy rules apply to ensure everyone’s safety.

Help us monitor the trails: info@belle-ile.com

A delightful combination of village life, nature, heritage, and culture. Before heading towards Pointe du Cardinale and continuing along the GR340, a stroll through the narrow streets of Sauzon makes for a pleasant warm-up. The Pointe des Poulains, its lighthouse, and Fort Sarah Bernhardt are well worth a visit before returning to Sauzon.

Departure

Sauzon
Difference in height

270.42 m
Route interest

Les Poulains Point and lighthouse
Sarah Bernhardt's Fort
Ster Vraz beach
Did you know ?

The Ster Vras Marsh:
Three thousand years ago, the Ster Vraz marsh extended beyond the present day beach, explaining the underlying layers of peat visible in winter and spring. Prehistoric glacial melt, followed by a rise in sea level caused the marsh to retreat. However, until the 1960s, pastures were still farmed over a large part of what is now the marsh; their abandonment allowed for reeds to spread and reclaim the valley floor.

Sarah Bernhardt at Les Poulains:
In August 1894, Sarah Bernhardt discovered Belle-Île and immediately fell in love with its pristine wilderness. A few months later, she bought the disused garrison fort at the Pointe des Poulains and decided to turn it into a holiday home. Having acquired the surrounding lands, numerous buildings were added until in 1909, when she was able to purchase a nearby “château,” the Penhoët manor, built a few years earlier. She redesigned the interior, created fountains and waterfalls in the landscaped park, and stayed there almost every summer until 1922.
During her stays on Belle-Île, Sarah Bernhardt lived with her family and among many writer, painter, and musician friends. She took a keen interest in the welfare of the island’s inhabitants, who quickly adopted her and called her “Madame Sarah.” She helped fishermen, the poor, local authorities, and the church of Sauzon. After the tragedienne’s death in 1923, the estate was sold and the manor destroyed by German troops in 1944.

Today, the Conservatoire du Littoral, the site’s new owner, has restored the area. The Sarah Bernhardt museum exhibition and the Maison du Littoral are open from April to October.
Documentation
GPX / KML files allow you to export the trail of your hike to your GPS (or other navigation tool)

See all reviews

How to reach the start

Follow the marina quays north toward Pointe du Cardinal and its viewpoint over the northeastern coast, guarded by a fort since 1861. During spring tides, the quays may be flooded; if so, take Rue du Canon, which runs slightly higher.

Steps

Continue west to the small beach of Port Puce (also known as Port Puns). Heather dominates the landscape here. The path follows a winding coastline, descending to Bordery Beach, climbing to a promontory, then descending again to Deuborh Beach via the slope of a fossilised dune. Access inland from these coves is blocked by 18th-century fortifications.

Beyond, the trail flattens, crossed by three small valleys. Along the way, notice the wall of blue hydrangeas bordering a private property. Pass Port Penhoët and skirt a white house with red tiles, once the workshop of the painter Clairin, a friend of Sarah Bernhardt.

You will reach Pointe des Poulains, where Sarah Bernhardt’s fort has stood since 1859. At low tide, the Île des Poulains is accessible via a tombolo, allowing a short loop around its 1868 lighthouse.

Head back inland along the paved road toward the car park and take the first right, towards the Sarah Bernhardt museographic space. Skirt around it and regain the trail keeping to the cliff edge.

Follow the cliffs along the golf course. After passing the Baguen-Hir shaft, wide views open over the inlets of Ster-Vraz and Ster-Ouen. Opposite, the Koh-Kastel ornithological reserve occupies a fortified promontory.

Descend to Ster-Vraz Beach, but do not cross it. Take the path on the left up to the village of Bortifaouen. Cross the village, turn left at the road, then take the first right onto a grassy track. Head left to Bordery village, then take the first road on the right to return to the heights of Sauzon.

270 meters of difference in height

Start altitude : 7 m
End altitude : 6 m
Maximum altitude : 35 m

Total positive elevation : 270 m
Total negative elevation : -271 m
Max positive elevation : 14 m
Min positive elevation : -27 m