Beauty and peace on the island of flowers
All year, thanks to the Gulf Stream, this wonderful place enjoys its own micro-climate. Give yourself a day to discover its charming houses and wild coves. And leave the car behind! No engines are allowed here, just bicycles and pedestrians. The only island commune in Côtes d’Armor, Bréhat, 3.5 kilometres long and 1.5 kilometres wide, consists of two main islands. South is the town and its 16th-century church; north are landscapes evocative of Ireland.
Aga… what?
With hydrangeas, mimosas, blackberry bushes, eucalyptus, aloes, camellias, etc., it’s clear to see why the island has its nickname! But among them all, the flower the best symbolises this island is the agapanthus. From June to September, you will see its purple-blue flower on every path. It was brought back by sailors from South Africa. Other exotic plants, such as agave or echium flourish here. And there’s a good reason for this! Frosts are extremely rare here. As for birds, there are over 120 species on the island. In the spring, you’ll hear the tits, finches, robins, larks and song thrushes.
Invaders!
Fortified in the Middle Ages, Bréhat island had a strategic position for a long time. During the war of succession and then the wars of religion, the Bretons, the French and the English fought for it. Its castle, which was razed several times, was finally dismantled under Henry IV. Today, tourists increase its population each year from around 400 to 2,000 people.
