Belle-Ile-en–Mer, France
It’s not hard to see how Belle-Île got its name – the beauty of this island is found in the magnificent coastline, which varies between unspoilt beaches and dramatic cliffs, with the occasional quaint townships in between. Brittany’s largest island lies south of Quiberon, in the Morbihan department, and is divided into four communes: Le Palais, Sauzon, Bangor and Locmaria. Le Palais is the island’s hub, with pastel-coloured buildings housing bakeries, cafes and shops, and an imposing citadel overlooking the harbour. Sauzon is a pretty fishing village at the top of Belle-Île close to the magnificent La Pointe des Poulains – a magnificent area of rocky coastline dominated by a lighthouse. Locmaria in the southeast has some excellent beaches, while Bangor is a great place to start for those looking to explore the island’s wild coast in the south-west. Despite its turbulent history, with numerous pirate attacks and a brief period of English occupation in the 1700s, Belle-Île today is a tourism hotspot, enticing visitors with its natural beauty.
