This Wildly Underrated French Island Has Darling Coastal Villages, Pristine Beaches, And Fresh Seafood

When you imagine traveling to France, the islands probably do not come to mind. But there are several picturesque islands located off the west coast of France, including the rocky island of Mont Saint-Michel and the Ile de Ré, known for its seafood and surfing. One of the most picturesque islands is aptly named, Belle-Île-en-Mer, which translates into “Belle Île sur la mer”. It is often called simply Belle-Île.

Located in the Brittany region in the northwest of France, Belle-Île is known for its picturesque beaches and its breathtaking landscapes. It is the largest in the Breton islands, a group of more than 800 small islands in Brittany. The charming coastal villages of the Palais, Sauzon, Bangor and Locmaria are home to colored buildings, seaside restaurants, picturesque shops and fishing boats used to fish the delicious local seafood. While many travelers like to visit Belle-Île during a day trip from Quiberon, others prefer to spend a few days or a week on the island, or even more. Belle-Île is home to many guest houses rented at night, as well as short-term rentals of houses or apartments generally rented by the week. There are 13 hotels on the island, including the luxurious Castel Clara in Bangor, the family La Désirade in Bangor, the panoramic hotel Le Cardinal overlooking the ocean in Sauzon and the Grand Hôtel de Bretagne, the oldest island hotel in the palace.

Read more: the most “northern” places in Europe

What to do in Belle-Île

Whether you prefer outdoor leisure or intense sporting exploits, Belle-Île has a lot to offer in terms of hiking, cycling, swimming, marina navigation and even surfing. The island is full of picturesque ports, rocky landscapes, cliffs, caves and beaches, with many walking, hiking and cycling trails. Among the many beaches in the region, the most remarkable is the large sands or large sands, a white sandy beach located in a sheltered bay which is a popular area for swimming, sunbathing, kayaking and sailing. The cotton port needles, or cotton port (photo above), are a set of shredded rocks painted by Claude Monet which today constitute a popular tourist site offering superb sunsets. The name comes from the shapes of the rocks of the rocks and the foam similar to cotton that the waves raise in windy weather. Nearby is the large lighthouse, a 52-meter-high lighthouse built in 1856 and which is one of the most recognizable monuments in Belle-Île. Tourists can climb the 247 steps to the top! Hikers can take a circular route from the cotton port to the large lighthouse. The famous GR®340 high hike path goes around Belle-Île-en-Mer and usually lasts four days to travel.

There is also an important artistic history on the island. The natural landscape of Belle-Île was painted by several impressionist painters, including Claude Monet, Henri Matisse and John Peter Russell, and the famous French actress at the end of the 19th and early 20th century Sarah Bernhardt spent her summers in Belle-Île. She lived in a small fort called the Pointe des Poulans and, later, built or acquired several other buildings to house those around her. His heritage is now celebrated in a museum called the Sarah Bernhardt museum space.

What to eat and drink in Belle-Île

Belle-Île is known for its fresh seafood, especially the barns, a crustacean related to crabs, shrimp and lobster. The region is known for its diversified fishing, with bar, a place yellow, the congress, the coloring royal, the old squaw, the mackerel, the mule, flat fish and oysters in neighboring waters. Local and selfish seafood can be found on the fish markets in the whole island, so you can take a cool plug at home to cook. Another Délice de Belle-Île, black bee honey, with a unique taste that comes from wild plants on the island. A local sheep’s species called a Belle-Île Ovine or race of two means that lamb meat and sheep’s milk cheese are also common. Popular restaurants include Suet, with a seasonal menu filled with seafood; Crêperie Mother Michèle; And the grain of salt, with a view of the sea. Gourmets can also stop in a local dairy called the Pilou cheese dairy, visit the Kailis distillery to taste locally stirred whiskey, make an bee -bee bee apicole visit or offer local desserts to the factory of craft cookies.

To reach Belle-Île, you will first have to go to Quiberon, the seaside port where the ferry for Belle-Île leaves. If you travel from outside France, the nearest international airports are Nantes Atlantique airport or Rennes Brittany airport, both at around 2 hours on the road, while Paris is about 6 hours drive from Quiberon. Whether you come from Nantes, Paris or even London, you can reach Quiberon by bus, train or car. From there, you can take the ferry for Belle-Île-with or without a car. Belle-Île is particularly popular in summer, but open to visitors all year round. From gastronomy to nature through cultural history, Belle-Île is truly an underestimated jewel when it comes to traveling to France. Do you explore the Brittany region? Do not miss the medieval city “impeccably preserved” that Rick Steves describes as a must.

Ready to discover other hidden treasures and expert travel advice? Subscribe to our free newsletter to access the best kept travel secrets in the world.

Read the original article on the islands.