The Breton Islands, rocky and windswept, offer a wealth of exceptional sites. Those in the far west are exposed to the most violent storms and are home to sparse, poor vegetation. The number of hours of sunshine on the Islands exceeds that on the Breton mainland, and the rainfall is lower. The reason is simple: the Islands are not high enough to force the air to rise. Depressions pass above the Islands without depositing any rain. This microclimate is often manifested by the presence of exotic species.

The Îles du Ponant
The Breton islands are called the Iles du Ponant since they lie in the west, where the sun sets. Bathed by the English Channel or the Atlantic, they are among the few French islands not connected to the mainland by a bridge. They can be reached by boat in roughly an hour and a half, and by plane in just a few minutes.

The Islands of the English Channel

Batz and Bréhat
In the north of Brittany, Batz and Bréhat enjoy an exceptionally mild microclimate. The Ile de Batz, 4 km long and 1 km wide, has tropical gardens. Market gardening is carried out on the island’s some thirty or so farms, specialising in choice early vegetables. Bréhat, the "Island of Flowers" is 3.5 km long and 1.5 km wide. The tides are constantly redefining this archipelago of pink rocks, located facing the Point of Arcouest, near Paimpol. The palm trees, mimosas, eucalyptus or fig trees are evidence of the almost Mediterranean mildness of the climate.

The Islands of the sea of Iroise

Ouessant and Molène
Composed of seven islands and some ten islets, the archipelago of Molène and of Ouessant, with the sea of Iroise, is classified by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve. The Ile d’Ouessant is constituted of a rocky plateau, 30 to 65 m high, hollowed out to form a deep bay on the south west. Its approaches are feared by sailors on account of the danger the area represents, with innumerable rocks and violent currents. They are the subject of folklore: "He who sees Molène sees suffering, he who sees Ouessant sees his blood".

The lighthouses protecting these reefs are famous: Jument, Stiff, Créac’h. The Ile de Molène, just 1.2 km long and 800 m wide, is very flat and surrounded by white sandy beaches. A fishing fleet is based on the island, specialising in lobster and langoustes.

The île de Sein
The Ile de Sein is a platform of sand and rocks anchored 9 km off the Point of Raz. 2 km long, the total surface is less than 1 km², and the highest point lies just 6 metres above sea level. At the far westerly point of the island the Ar Men lighthouse rears up, a vital aid for sailors, given the difficulty of navigating around the island.

The Atlantic Islands

The Glénan Lagoon
Opposite Fouesnant, this archipelago comprises eight main islands and a dozen islets. Famed for its sailing school and its unique species of daffodil, the only one in the world, the archipelago lies bathed in a sea of clear water.

Ile de Groix
Located in southern Brittany, 14 km offshore from Lorient, the Ile de Groix is 8 km long and 3 km wide. This island, which at the beginning of the century was the largest tuna fishing port in France, is today an exceptional nature reserve.

Belle île en mer
Located 15 km offshore from Quiberon, BelleÎle, baptised Kalonessos (beautiful island) by the Greeks, is the largest of the Breton islands. Its 84 km² offer a wealth of sights, and the island is a haven for wildlife. A plateau 20 km long, the island has a central ridge, with several valleys leading off to "ports", small beaches tucked away in set-back inlets.

Houat and Hoëdic
Houat, a tiny island of 7.5 km, earns its living from shellfish and tourism. Even smaller (2.5 km long) than its neighbour, Hoëdic is low lying and sandy, with a scattering of reefs.

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