Welcome to paradise! For fishermen, oyster farmers, yachtsmen... and nature-loving walkers. The Gulf of Morbihan, an extraordinary place of life where the land and the sea mingle with the variable and unusual landscape. On the shores of this real little inland sea, there is room for hiking on the coastal paths, cycling, the Conleau seawater pool, nature reserves for birds, visits to megaliths... Set out to conquer this magical area where, according to legend, there are 365 islands!

From port to port in Southern Brittany

This haven of peace in Southern Brittany invites you to discover it through a narrow inlet between Locmariaquer and Port Navalo, the limit of the Gulf. Going up the river of Auray, in Le Bono, the old suspension bridge amazes the visitor. Once you have crossed the ancestral bridge, head for Larmor-Baden, often called "the Key to the Gulf" because of the quality of its waters. This village is a very active oyster farming centre, but also a real paradise for lovers of natural sites, wild flora and walks. Leave the centre of the village for the old salt marshes of Pen En Toul, now a refuge for a multitude of birds. A footpath, laid out around the marsh, allows you to admire the magnificent grey herons, stilts, avocets and egrets

If you are looking for one of the most sumptuous views of the islands, choose Arradon. At the end of the point, rest on this bench which seems to invite you to stroll... It is best to go early in the morning. Depending on the weather, you can enjoy a superb sunrise or a misty day that gives the place a very strange look

Then, Vannes, keystone of the Gulf of Morbihan, has the priceless privilege of a marina in the heart of the city. You can stroll around the ramparts or through the narrow streets of the old town before heading for the largest reserve in Brittany. The marshes of Séné represent an area of international importance for water birds. In this landscape marked by the history of salt, stilts, egrets, spoonbills evolve in complete freedom. The remarkable site offers 8 observatories. Bring your binoculars and don't forget your camera... Along the paths, the walks are wonderful towards the Langle peninsula, the sites of Montsarrac, Bodspernen, or in search of the coves nestling in this idyllic setting.

Continue your journey towards Sarzeau and its three large marshes which are magnificent areas for discovery and visits: the marshes of Landrezac and Penvins, that of Suscinio, a real natural setting on which the feudal castle of Suscinio is set, and finally the marshes of Duer, former salt pans converted into a refuge for birds. After the visit of the oyster port of Logéo, join the only departmental road that crosses the Rhuys Peninsula in the direction of Arzon and Port Navalo. On one side the ocean, on the other the gulf and, between the two, this passage so delicate to manoeuvre for the sailors

From island to island, idleness on the agenda

This small inland sea is dotted with several dozen islands and islets. If you consider the large rocks that emerge from the water, there are as many islands as there are days in the year. This legend is still very tenacious... If most of the islets are uninhabited, this is not the case of the two jewels of the Gulf: the Ile aux Moines and the Ile d'Arz. Also called the "pearl" of the Gulf, Ile aux Moines is accessible from the Port-Blanc slipway in Baden. After a few minutes of crossing, you will succumb to its charm. Let yourself be seduced by the small low houses of the fishermen or the beautiful granite residences, testimonies of a rich past. Lose yourself in the narrow streets, admire the luxuriant flora favoured by the extreme mildness of its climate and enjoy the beautiful Lério beach. Renowned for its calm, this natural setting was used by the film-maker Claude Miller for the shooting of La Petite Lili! Ludivine Sagnier, Bernard Giraudeau and Jean-Pierre Marielle still have fond memories of it. To moor on the Ile d'Arz, we embark at Conleau, south of Vannes. Apart from its many beaches, the main asset of Arz remains the superb coastal path that allows you to go around the island and enjoy the magnificent views over the Gulf

On board a canoe, you can voluntarily get lost in this maze of islands... On the eastern side of the Gulf, Tascon Island is connected to the land by a causeway discovered two hours before and after low tide. If you are looking for the most beautiful beaches in this inland sea, choose the islands of Govihan, Godec or Stibiden. Some of them are privately owned, but you can enjoy their white sands... This is also the case of the island of Berder, domain of the cosmetics designer Yves Rocher. Berder is an island to which hikers and simple tourists can easily access on foot from Larmor-Baden. At this place of the Gulf, we understand better the phenomenon of the tides. Admire the spectacle of the water's descent, before taking the causeway that opens the access to this piece of land. This haven of greenery is home to a remarkable coastal path accessible to the public.

Discovering the megaliths, a walk through Breton history

According to legend, fairies were chased out of the forest of Broceliande, in inland Brittany. Far from their sanctuary and overcome with pain, they began to cry. Their tears, so numerous, by pouring on the earth gave birth to the Gulf of Morbihan. They threw their wreaths of flowers, which gave birth to the 365 islands, islets and rocks of the Gulf. On the other hand, it was not the fairies who erected countless menhirs. This priceless work was the will of the men of Armorique, more than 6 000 years ago. The Gulf of Morbihan is an exceptional area for the number, importance and variety of megaliths. The menhir represents the standing stone. The most famous ones are located near the Gulf, in the region of Carnac. However, take advantage of your stay to go to the peninsula of Locmariaquer to the Great Broken Menhir, with impressive dimensions. Now on land and broken into four pieces, it is the largest menhir that man has ever erected towards the sky. In the middle of this small inland sea, 49 menhirs of the islet Er Lannic form a double cromlech, two arcs of stones, half submerged at high tide. The island opposite, Gavrinis, has one of the most beautiful megalithic monuments in the world and one of the best preserved from this period of prehistory

Useful information

When to visit? Spring and summer are ideal times to discover this small inland sea! Don't hesitate to get up at dawn... A sunrise over the Gulf will be forever engraved in your memory.

How to get there. By plane, train, bus or car, everything is possible.

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