The Greek sailors, who were expert when it comes to beautiful islands, called it Kalonessos, which means “beautiful island”. The biggest, the steepest, the most beautiful, it takes superlatives when you try to describe Belle-île-en-mer. Its stunning splendor inspired many artists, and by no means the least of all: Sarah Bernhardt, Gustave Flaubert, Claude Monet, and many others fell under its charms. Over an expanse of 17 by 9 kilometers, the island has a resolutely maritime character, and remains at the same time deeply bound to its countryside. When you decide to criss-cross the island, you can very well forget the surrounding sea for a while, time enough to discover some rustic hamlets. Still the change of scenery remains perfect. Le Palais is the most urban city of the island, and Sauzon, with its pastel coloured houses, is its smartest harbor. Highest point of the island, Locmaria brilliantly combines countryside and wild coast. Bangor is a pretty rural village, a haven of peace, whose accesses to the sea are among the most tormented of the island.

Le Palais
Since it is the principal access to the island, it is generally the starting point for the discovery of Belle-île. Dominated by the Vauban citadel, it is also the most densely populated, busiest town of the island. Only a few minutes from there, going inland, you'll be amazed by the quietness. Going north, the customs trail leads to the adorable port of Sauzon.

Sauzon
With its pretty, colourful houses, Sauzon is a delight to look at. Many trails part from here and guide you to wonderful settings, like the Grotte de l'Apoticairie (apothecaries' cave) or the Pointe des Poulains (point of foals). No innocent foal is joyfully grazing around here, though, only jagged cliffs and many rocky spikes, with the shape of needles, called “polenn” in breton, which ended up to become “poulain” in French.

Locmaria
Opposite the Pointe des Poulains, Locmaria has a very natural, rural and maritime character at the same time. The white chapel “Notre-Dame de Bois-Tord” reminds one of the Cyclades. It adds an exotic touch to the village, confirmed by the presence of a smart palm-tree.

Bangor
Bangor hosts some of the most impressive settings of the wild coast, among which the famous Aiguilles (needles) of Port Coton and Port Goulphar that greatly inspired Monet, or else the magnificent beach of Donnant.