Seven islands around an inland sea with transparent water, white sandy beaches… No, you’re not in the Seychelles, you’re in Brittany! Off Fouesnant, this archipelago resembles the paradisical landscapes of tropical countries. It’s like a waking dream.
Click. Inspire. Go…
Receive the Brittany newsletter!
Discover The Glénan Archipelago
You can’t come to this area without taking a detour via the Glénan islands. From April to September, boats leave from Bénodet, Concarneau, Loctudy, Port-La-Forêt and Fouesnant-les-Glénan (Beg Meil slipway), or Trévignon port in Trégunc, to Saint-Nicolas, the main island. It’s an excellent way to spend the day. The archipelago has just one holiday cottage and camping is forbidden. But in the summer, the Glénan islands liven up with restaurants, a diving centre and its famous sailing school. To make the most of your day here, you can book in advance a commented tour of the island at the Tourist office or a discovery of the underwater environment via an outing on a boat with a transparent bottom.
The archipelago is made up of nine main islands and many islets, in the middle of which is a lagoon renowned for the clarity of its water and the whiteness of its sands; in fact, the area has been described as ‘the Breton Tahiti’.
The Glénan islands are well known because of their idyllic beaches, but also because of the international diving centre and the water sports centre. Take advantage for an initiation! If you prefer hiking, a wooden trail goes around Saint-Nicolas for 1 km. From there, the view of the inland sea (called the Chambre) and the entire coast is magnificent.
Did you know
Harmless sharks!
Away from pollution, the archipelago has a rich and varied eco-system. On a diving outing, you might be lucky enough to see a basking shark. They can grow to 7 metres in length, but are totally harmless and only eat plankton!
A flower unique in the world
Pretty, white, odourless flowers growing 15 to 40 centimetres tall… The Glenan Narcissus is a species characteristic of the archipelago. Endangered in the 1950s, a nature reserve was created on Ile Saint Nicolas to protect it. It generally flowers (depending on Mother Nature of course) from March to April, or early May (boats are arranged accordingly).
