COTTON PORT NEEDLES

Considered as one of the most remarkable sites of Belle-Île-en-Mer, the Aiguilles de Port-Coton, located in Bangor, are a must-see of the region. In the middle of the wild coast, this spectacular panorama is really worth the detour. You can play at guessing what creature or object you see through the shapes of these rocks. Indeed, the Aiguilles de Port-Coton have always been a great source of inspiration, whether for tourists who passed by or for the many painters who painted their portraits. Among these painters, three great names: Claude Monnet, John Peter Russell and Charles Cottet. Claude Monnet even painted them several times, and you can admire Needles in the Storm at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris. The Agulhas take their name from the rough sea: the foam, produced by the waves crashing against the rocks, looks like a cotton veil.

This point of view has nothing to envy to the twelve apostles of Australia. The variation of the lights according to the weather and the different hours of the day offers an evolving show with an ever-changing landscape. Here, the magic of Brittany operates immediately, even more so in front of the breathtaking sunset.

You can extend the magic by taking one of the many hiking trails in the area. There is something for everyone and, depending on the direction you take, you will also discover lighthouses, bunkers, and spectacular views of the cliffs and beaches of Belle-Île. Note that this viewpoint is also accessible by a bus that runs several times a day in high season.

Belle-Île's bird sanctuary is as rich as its landscapes, and the needles of Port-Coton are no exception: you will be able to observe the birds that are at home here and make it clear. Occupied by one of the largest colonies of herring gulls in France, the island will also allow you to discover black-legged kittiwakes, crested cormorants, northern fulmars and red-billed choughs. In August, if the summer has not been too dry, the heather will magnify the landscapes. To take full advantage of it, let yourself be tempted by the tour of the island via the GR 340. After 5 days of walking, Belle-Île-en-Mer will have no more secrets for you. It is possible to reach different points of the trail by bus every day from Le Palais.