Experience the Heritage Days at Belle-Île-en-Mer
06 September 2023
On the weekend of September 16 and 17, take the opportunity to discover the heritage of Belle-Île-en-Mer, whether for a short stay or a day trip.
After crossing to reach the largest island of Brittany, you’ll disembark at Le Palais and start exploring the island’s iconic landmarks and its local shops and artisans. Follow our suggested itinerary to guide you.
A day discovering Belle-Île-en-Mer’s heritage
Board the boat in Quiberon and reach Le Palais in 50 minutes. Enjoy a coffee or breakfast on a terrace overlooking the lively port as passengers prepare to board.
Before setting out to explore the island’s treasures, visit the Tourist Office to pick up a map and useful information for your stay. The advisors can also guide you to the bus stop that takes you directly to Sauzon to discover the island’s northern coast:
At 11:00 a.m., go to the bus station stop (about a 5-minute walk from the pier) heading toward Les Poulains, one of the island’s most beautiful natural sites and a favorite of famous actress Sarah Bernhardt.
In addition to the breathtaking landscape, you can visit:
The “Maison du Littoral” (Coastal House)
Located on the emblematic Pointe des Poulains, managed by the Conservatoire du Littoral, this site reveals the incredible biodiversity of Belle-Île-en-Mer and its marine protected area.
It is managed year-round by the island’s Natural Spaces department and includes two exhibition areas.
Sarah Bernhardt’s Fort
Purchased in 1894, this former military fort at Pointe des Poulains became the actress’s personal retreat. Visit this historic home with a guide and learn about her life on the island. Now part of the “Maisons des Illustres” network under the Ministry of Culture, it is managed by the local council.
Continue your tour by catching the 12:50 p.m. bus back toward Sauzon.
For lunch, you have two options:
A picnic prepared by Florence LE DOUX at Vival Alimentation
Florence runs the only grocery store in Sauzon, open year-round. It’s a family-run business passed down through three generations of women since 1968. The store continues to evolve and now includes a range of organic products.A gourmet lunch at Hôtel du Phare
Laurent CLEMENT, originally from Belle-Île-en-Mer, earned a Michelin star in Chartres before returning to the island with his wife to run this historic hotel and restaurant.
After a stroll around Sauzon’s port, it will be time to return to Le Palais to catch the boat back to the mainland. You can take the 4:12 p.m. bus or the earlier one at 3:12 p.m. if you’d like to wander around Le Palais before your 5:15 p.m. departure.
For a more authentic and personalized visit, consider hiring a local guide. Contact Mewen BAUCHY—he knows the island like the back of his hand. A former actor and bar owner, he now leads half- or full-day hikes on the GR340© coastal path with humor and passion.