On foot and by bike: in the footsteps of Claude Monet

By bike, starting in Le Palais

Heading for Claude Monet’s wild coast

Through a series of renowned works, Claude Monet introduced the wider world to the stunning beauty of the jagged rocks of Les Aiguilles de Port Coton (Cotton Cove’s “Needles”). Their name comes from the sea-foam resembling large flakes of cotton, often whipped up by storms and carried inland on the wind.

During a 75 day trip in Autumn 1886, Monet experienced an infamous Breton storms. Autumn and winter deliver a sort of grandiose splendour to the wild coast, with ever changing sea and light conditions… Due to the highly variable weather, he had to adapt his method and work in “series”, a revolutionary method focused on portraying the changes in lighting and “mood”.

With this roughly 30 km loop starting in Le Palais, you too can conquer the clifftops of Port Coton! Along the way you will discover Bangor, the oldest of the 4 communes on the island founded in the VII th century by Irish or Welsh monks, and Grand Phare (the Great Light[house]), designed by Fresnel and commissioned in 1836.
Allocate half a day for this 30 km circuit. Food and drinks can be found in Le Palais, Bangor and Kervilahouen (down the road from Grand Phare and Port Coton)

Check out the detailed route sheet or download the PDF.

On the trail of stunning beauty

In the footsteps of the “Prince of Impressionists”

Originally, Claude Monet had planned a “tour of Brittany, cane in hand“, including a fortnight on Belle-île. In the end, Brittany as a whole was to be distilled to Belle-île, itself reduced to a small part of the wild coast! Arriving on September 12, 1886, he would leave on November 25, 75 days later.

Working relentlessly, he would create 39 paintings in just 10 weeks, of which a number are a part of the collections of the most prestigious of museums…As you walk along this iconic stretch, from the tip of “Le Talut” to the “Rocks of the Lion” passing by the Aiguilles de Port Coton, discover the coast along which this relentless artist set down his easel to create some of France’s most impressive pieces of artistic heritage .

 Plan for an 11 km walk along coast. Food and drinks can be found at Le Kervi, near Grand Phare and the Aiguilles de Port Coton, a cozy establishment where you will find a restaurant and a grocery store.