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The Gulf of MorbihanA magical little inland sea

The Gulf of Morbihan

“Mor bihan” is Breton for ‘little sea’. Here, it’s hard to say whether the ocean has invaded the countryside or the other way around. Dazzling light, more islands and islets than you can count, and pretty coastal cottages… this is the Gulf of Morbihan, the pearl of southern Brittany.

One of the world’s most beautiful bays

Around the famous Île aux Moines and the Île d’Arz, which you can easily reach by ferry from Vannes and Port Blanc, there are about 40 islets scattered across the sea: Boëdic, Logoden, Irus, Ilur, La Jument, Gavrinis, Radenec etc. The Gulf of Morbihan covers about 40 square kilometres between Vannes and Auray to the north, and Arzon and Sarzeau to the south. There are new sights, sounds and smells around every corner, and on every headland where the granite rocks jut into the waves. This is a paradise of changing light for photographers: nowhere else will you find such rich and varied blues and greens. From the bird reserve of Séné Marshes to the Rhuys Peninsula, from the bends in the River Auray to the ocean access at Port Navalo, from the Gavrinis megalith to the Passage de la Jument –  site of one of the most powerful tidal bores in Europe –  you’ll really fall for the charms of this region. You can explore oyster farms and a multitude of little ports and anchorages where the little local sailing boats, called Simnagots and Guépards, are bobbing at anchor. From Conleau to Arradon, from Kerners Point to Bernon Point, from Port Navalo to Locmariaquer, every landscape is unforgettable.

Exploring the islands

The GR® 34 coastal path, which links Auray to Vannes, is perfect for exploring the foreshore and visiting the delightful harbours of Le Bono, Arradon and Conlesau, while taking in the view of this incredible marriage between land and sea. Around 100 km of signposted footpaths can be found around the Gulf of Morbihan. There are several islands you can visit for a full day’s walk: the Île aux Moines, the even wilder Île d’Arz, and also the Île Berder, which is accessible on foot at low tide. This is a place where you can try all kinds of watersports on a protected lake in Kergonan Bay: dingy sailing or yachting, canoeing, etc. Cycling or mountain-biking would be perfect for exploring the islands.  The ‘Littorale’ greenway on the Rhuys Peninsula also offers some lovely bike rides through the salt marshes and by the sea. And there’s no need to strain your calf muscles: the relief map of the area shows only gentle slopes.

Official website of tourism in Brittany
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