Visiting Groix Island in the off-season
Groix is a Breton island with picturesque charm and a rich historical past. Located 45 minutes by boat from Lorient, it can be visited even in winter, offering a lesser-known side.
Where to catch the boat to Groix Island off-season?
The high tourist season is over, but your desire for escape is not. No worries—you can anytime head to the Lorient ferry terminal, hop on a boat, and set course for the “Island of Garnets” for an unforgettable stay.
No coastal license is needed; the Compagnie Océane operates five crossings per day. Check our schedules for departures from Lorient in autumn and winter.
Your Morbihan getaway begins in Lorient, famous for its Interceltic Festival. Not far from the city center, you make your way to the ferry terminal. Here you board the ships “Ile de Groix” or “Breizh Nevez I.” Both vessels operate year-round.
Once on board, the view is breathtaking, and the magic happens instantly.
You start by sailing down the Blavet and pass near the Lorient Submarine Base, a strategic point during World War II, now reborn as the “Sailing Valley,” a hub for offshore racing. It houses the City of Sailing, initiated by the famous sailor Eric Tabarly, and is home to racing boats whose impressive bows you might spot during your journey.
You then head up the harbor and pass by Port-Louis. The Atlantic Ocean opens before you.
You feel the thrill of history imagining the ships of the East India Company returning with holds full of spices and exotic goods after months at sea. Rest assured, your trip won’t last nearly as long!
After 45 minutes of crossing, you approach Port-Tudy.
Once ashore, you’re warmly welcomed by the mild air, often contrasting with the mainland’s weather. Here, conditions are often mild, and it’s not uncommon to experience Indian summer.
This is the perfect opportunity for a hike across the moorland before discovering a deserted cove.
At this time of year, you feel like the guardians of the island and its treasures. The verses of Jean-Pierre Calloc’h, a famous Groisillon poet, resonate within you.
You admire the beach of Grands Sables, one of Europe’s only convex sandy beaches that is continuously shifting.
You continue wandering from bays to cliffs, washhouses to fountains, chapels to dolmens, all the way to the Pointe aux Chats and the top of its lighthouse standing proudly over a rocky plateau with silver gleams. It’s dazzling, especially knowing this is only a glimpse of the beauty and many activities hidden beneath the peaceful calm of the season’s end. The best is to hop on a bike and escape along the 40 km of cycle paths that crisscross the Groisillon land.
Groix, a past to savor in the present.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Groix had a bustling maritime activity: it was France’s leading tuna port. The activity was thriving, and the island had up to five canneries. You can still explore one today. On the way out, you’ll likely be tempted by some canned specialties.
If gastronomy is your guilty pleasure, you can also visit an abalone farm and get to know its terrine.
Less adventurous visitors may opt for a tasty break at a seaside restaurant or a crêperie in the small town by the port, up the street.
Off-season, the motto is to take your time.
So, if a day trip feels too short, you can always extend your stay with our weekend offers. In the off-season, it’s much easier to rent even last-minute a typical island lodging or a hotel room for one or two nights.
