Vauban Citadel  of Palais

This website will present you some distinctive features (sometimes less known) of Belle-Ile. First of all, here are some examples of what this beautiful island may offer you. Sunny beaches, rough sea and foamy waves, flowery moors and small sheltered creeks, villages well integrated in the environment, secret glens, rocks chiseled by wind and sea, Belle-Ile shows many different faces and an amazing variety of superb landscapes.

Here is Donnant, one of the most beautiful beaches. The sea is rarely calm, often rough and sometimes wild.The waves roar when breaking on the golden sand. It is the preferred spot of surfers and body-boarders.

Sauzon harbour is located on the port side of a ria (more than half a mile long).This natural harbour is well protected from the prevailing winds and is an appreciated mooring place for yachtsmen. Such a beautiful place is much sought after by photographers and painters.

A map of the villages of Belle-Ile, and some useful web links relative to Belle-Ile en Mer.
High definition aerial views of Belle-Ile (a high speed connection is necessary)

At Belle-Ile, the sea and the wind sculpt the schist and carve the rock, creating remarkable stone arches, sinkholes opening on the sea, or many pierced rocks. Here are some examples...

Various subjects: flowers, sand colours, weathercocks, Vauban Citadel, old maps: Google Map XVIII° century version, ...
Information : Webcam of the harbour of Palais Information : Webcam of the harbour of Sauzon (user : guest ; password: guest )
Texte en français
(en français)
Click on the map below
(sites to visit on the footpath along the coast)

Yeyew creek

Port-Coton needles

Les Poulains foreland

Goulphar Cove

 

Aiguilles de Port-Coton Plage de Donnant De Donnant au Grand Guet De Goulphar à l'île Bangor De Goulphar à l'Ile Bangor De l'île Bangor à Porh Gwenn De Porh Gwenn à Kastel Brand De Kastel Brand au Skeul Du Skeul à Kerzo De Kerzo à La Biche De La Biche à la pointe Bugul De la pointe Bugul à Port Guen De la pointe Bugul à Port Guen Le Palais Des Curés à Port Jean Sauzon Sauzon De Fri Mez à Kerledan De Kerledan à Donnant De Baguen Hir à Fri Mez From Kerzo to La Biche From La Biche to Bugul foreland Port-Coton needles Beach of Donnant From Donnant to Grand Guet From Goulphar to Bangor island From Goulphar to Bangor island From Bangor island to Porh Gwenn From Porh Gwenn to Kastel Brand From Kastel Brand to the Skeul From the Skeul to Kerzo From Kerzo to La Biche From La Biche to Bugul foreland From Bugul  foreland to  Port Guen From Bugul  foreland to  Port Guen Le Palais From "Les Curés" to Port Jean Sauzon Sauzon From Fri Mez to Kerledan From Kerledan to Donnant From Baguen Hir  to Fri Mez Les Poulains foreland

Information : 360° pictures of Belle-Ile (full screen) : http://www.belle-ile-360.com/

Some pictures of the meeting of traditional sailing boats in the port of Palais (end of July 2010): click here

Information : Some pictures of the storm on February 24, 2010 : click here

Information concerning the wrecks at Belle-Ile or in Britanny, click here (French language only !)

A chapter in the history of Belle-Isle :
Did you know ? The "March of Belle-Isle"
(see the lyrics at: http://www.fidella.com/trmg/TRMG3.html ) was created to celebrate the surrender of the citadel of Belle-Ile on the 7th of June , 1761, and, today, the laurels on the badge of the Royal Marines "are believed to honour the gallantry they displayed during the capture of Belle Isle in 1761".

   
One question regarding a wreck found on the shore, near the beach of Les Galères : where does come from this steam boiler ? (it is what it looks like...)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

De Goulphar à l'île Bangor De Goulphar à l'île Bangor Pointe des Poulains Aiguilles de Port-Coton Plage de Donnant De Donnant au Grand Guet De Goulphar à l'île Bangor De Goulphar à l'Ile Bangor De Goulphar à l'île Bangor De l'île Bangor à Porh Gwenn De Porh Gwenn à Kastel Brand De Kastel Brand au Skeul Du Skeul à Kerzo De Kerzo à La Biche De La Biche à la pointe Bugul De La Biche à la pointe Bugul De la pointe Bugul à Port Guen De la pointe Bugul à Port Guen Le Palais Des Curés à Port Jean Sauzon Sauzon De Fri Mez à Kerledan De Kerledan à Donnant De Baguen Hir à Fri Mez