Top 5 family beaches | Belle-Île-en-Mer Tourist Office

#1 Bordardoué

A beautiful sandy beach near Le Palais

The largest sandy beach

Of Le Palais

Easily accessible by road, this beach has a large parking space. Once in the water, contemplate Belle-Ile’s rich marine biodiversity: strawberry anemones, yellow or orange sponges, crabs and algae of every colour. The most observant may even catch a glimpse of a cuttlefish, capable of camouflaging with its surroundings. Known as “La Morgat” in Morbihan, this mollusc has a rather peculiar way of swimming; it levitates just over the sandy seabed, not unlike some sort of underwater hovercraft straight out of a sci-fi movie!

Bordardoué is also one of the best places to observe and appreciate Belle-Ile’s unique geology. Rocks made of volcanic tuff and quartz, giving the surrounding cliffs a colourful hue. During summer, the “Maison de la Nature” (House of Nature) organises visits and interactive games on the beach, giving you the opportunity to discover the secrets of local flora and fauna.

Plages - Partir à la plage, Traversées lignes régulières, saisonnières, plaisance, Océan - Profiter de l'Océan, Changer de rythme - déplacement doux, déconnexion, tranquilité, Belle île en mer, île de Bretagne, Bretagne sud, au large du Golfe du Morbihan

lages - Partir à la plage, Océan - Profiter de l'Océan, Changer de rythme - déplacement doux, déconnexion, tranquilité, Histoire - Patrimoine bâti, Belle île en mer, île de Bretagne, Bretagne sud, au large du Golfe du Morbihan

Nature - île photogénique Océan - Profiter de l'Océan Plages - Partir à la plage, Belle île En Mer, île De Bretagne, Bretagne Sud, Au Large Du Golfe Du Morbihan

Plages - Partir à la plage, Océan - Profiter de l'Océan, Changer de rythme - déplacement doux, déconnexion, tranquilité, Histoire - Patrimoine bâti, Belle île en mer, île de Bretagne, Bretagne sud, au large du Golfe du Morbihan

TO CONSUME WITH or WITHOUT MODERATION

Beer and spring water...100% local!!

During summer, the brewery “La Morgat” organises free tours and beer tastings. A bar and a small crêperie are also present in the establishment.

Also near the beach is Belle Fontaine, one of the most historically significant buildings on Breton coasts, being one of two still standing in France.

#2 Grands Sables

More than 1.5 km of fine sand!

The largest sandy beach

On Belle-Ile!

This beach seems to have been created by the gods of swimming! Grands Sables offers everything you need to enjoy a moment of tranquillity by the water. Sheltered from westerly winds by cliffs covered in tall ferns and shrubs, the beach is bathed in sunlight all day long. The calm sea allows you to venture into the water with ease, while the fine sand stretches for 1.5 km, providing an enormous playground for both young and old. Easily accessible, Grands Sables can be reached via the coastal road connecting Le Palais and Locmaria. A large car park is conveniently located right at the beach entrance.

Hébergements, Plages - Partir à la plage, Belle île en mer, île de Bretagne, Bretagne sud, au large du Golfe du Morbihan

Se Déplacer, Plages - Partir à la plage, Belle île En Mer, île De Bretagne, Bretagne Sud, Au Large Du Golfe Du Morbihan

Déguster local, Nature - île photogénique,Belle île en mer, île de Bretagne, Bretagne sud, au large du Golfe du Morbihan

Water activities

Of Grands Sables

Grands Sables is the place to learn to perfect your water sports skills on Belle-Île.

#3 Ster Vraz

Sauzon's large sandy cove

A sheltered and wild!

swimming spot

Flanked on all sides by 20-meter-high cliffs, Ster Vraz is the perfect beach for a relaxing day by the sea, especially when the easterlies make an appearance! Just a 6-minute drive from Sauzon, the small parking lot at the base of the beach offers easy access to the sand and pebbles. At the back of the beach, a marsh full of reeds and bordered by small trees provides a shady retreat, ideal for hot days in July and August. The cliffs create a natural barrier against the waves, making swimming and bathing particularly easy. In summer, it’s also a superb spot for paddleboardingand kayaking. The mile-long cove offers a calm and safe playground for a peaceful walk on the water, and on clear days, the waters of Ster Vraz are as still as a lake!

bretagne-sud-belle-ile-en-mer-morbihan-plage-sauzon-ster-vraz-printemps-loup-samzun.jpg

Nature île Photogénique, Plages, Océan, Voile Plaisance, Ster Ouen, Côte Sauvage, Sauzon, été, 2021©karine Piquet (37) 2021 ©karine Piquet (22)

Se dépasser - sports, Nature - île photogénique Océan - Profiter de l'Océan Plages - Partir à la plage, Belle île en mer, île de Bretagne, Bretagne sud, au large du Golfe du Morbihan

Restaurant and visits

Enjoy Sauzon's wild coast

The afternoon is drawing to a close, and the children have had their fun. How about extending the pleasure along Sauzon’s coast with a delicious pizza? Just 5 minutes by car from Ster Vraz, the restaurant “Bistrozza À l’Ouest!” at the Belle-Île Golf Club serves pizzas made with local and unique ingredients; try a pizza with Belle-Île sausage or cuttlefish ink! And as a free bonus, enjoy a breathtaking view of the rugged cliffs and the Pointe des Poulains.

#4 Herlin Beach

NESTLED AMONG THE CLIFFS OF THE WILD COAST

Herlin Beach

A wild beach ideal for shore fishing

This is one of the largest beaches on the wild coast. Embedded within the cliffs, its fine sand stretches along the water’s edge, providing a perfect spot for a leisurely walk while observing the numerous seabirds that inhabit the western coast of Belle-Île, including great cormorants, gulls, and seagulls. Also found on the site are ducks living in the dune swamp behind the beach. Herlin is also a fantastic place for swimming, as its waters are among the warmest on the island!

It is one of only two supervised beaches on Belle-Île, with lifeguards present from 1 pm to 7 pm during July and August.

Nature - île photogénique, Plages - Partir à la plage, Randonner -autour de l'île, Belle île en mer, île de Bretagne, Bretagne sud, au large du Golfe du Morbihan

Herlin, plus qu'une plage : un site naturel unique à Belle-île ! La plus grande des îles bretonnes, Bretagne Sud

Herlin, plus qu'une plage : un site naturel unique à Belle-île ! Bienvenue sur la plus grande des îles bretonnes, Bretagne Sud

On Herlin, big coefficients mean...

...Great catches!

During high coefficient tides, it is possible to reach the neighbouring beach of Baluden at low tide. A vast expanse of fine sand, littered with coloured quartz and tuff pebbles, joins the beaches and creates a perfect exploration ground for children.

This also makes Herlin one of the best places to partake in intertidal fishing, as caves and rocks populated by mussels, shellfish and a variety of crustaceans.

Consult the tide tables

#5 Port Andro

A sheltered spot

Very close to Locmaria

A sandy beach

Enclosed by lush vegetation

At the foot of the verdant coastal path of Locmaria, this beautiful sandy beach is a wonderful spot for sunbathing. Access to Port Andro is directly from the coastal road. Its eastern orientation ensures excellent sunshine that lasts until late afternoon, ideal for a little swim. The rugged terrain of Locmaria protects the beach perfectly from wind and waves. However, beware of southerly winds, as they

be careful, when the prevailing winds go south, waves come in on the beach. The sea then becomes a beautiful surf spot!

Want a nice view? By walking a few moments on the coastal path to the right of the beach, you will reach the Pointe de Kerdonis which is only 10 minutes walk away. A superb panorama of the coastline of southern Brittany awaits you. On good days, you can see the island of Hoëdic and the Loire estuary.

At the foot of Locmaria’s lush coastal path, this beautiful sandy beach is a fantastic spot for sunbathing. Its east-facing orientation and low lying surroundings ensures excellent sunlight, lasting until late afternoon. Access to Port Andro is direct via the coastal road. It’s a safe spot for a quick swim, as the rugged landscape of Locmaria provides perfect protection from the wind and waves. However, be cautious when the prevailing winds shift to the south, as waves may roll in, turning the sea into a great surfing spot!

Looking for a great viewpoint? A short walk along the coastal path to the left of the beach (when facing the sea) will take you to the Pointe de Kerdonis, 10 minutes away on foot. There, you’ll be treated to a stunning panorama of the southern Brittany coastline. On clear days, you can catch a glimpse of the island of Hoëdic and the Loire estuary.