The Island by Bike

What it is

Belle-Île is about 17 km from east to west and 9 from north to south: it fits into a day by bike. On minor roads you link the three places you do not want to miss, the port of Le Palais, the one at Sauzon and the Aiguilles de Port-Coton on the wild coast, and you finish on a beach in the east. There are no cycle lanes on the island, but there is a network of small roads between hamlets.

The tour step by step

A circuit of about 28 km on roads, clockwise:

1. Le Palais – Sauzon (about 7 km). Leave the port heading north. When you arrive, stop at the quay in Sauzon and have an ice cream facing the coloured houses.
2. Sauzon – Port-Coton (about 12 km). Head down the west of the island, through the interior, towards Bangor. It is the longest stretch and the one with most hills. Next to the Grand Phare, leave the bike and walk to the Aiguilles de Port-Coton.
3. Port-Coton – Le Palais (about 9 km). Return through the centre of the island towards the port. If you have any energy left, make a detour of about 5 km to the south-east to the beach of les Grands Sables.

The tourist office calculates times at an average of 15 km/h: about 2 hours of pedalling not counting stops. With the visits, lunch and a swim, it is a full day. The island has continuous hills; with an electric bike the tour can be done without training.

Rules worth knowing

• Bikes cannot enter the beaches or the coastal paths, not even pushed. The last stretch to the viewpoints and the sand is done on foot: bring a lock.
• The roads are narrow and winding, shared with cars, buses and pedestrians, and unlit outside the villages. The tourist office recommends a reflective vest and a helmet.
• Get off the main road as soon as you can: the hire company advises using the small roads.

Where to hire

In Le Palais, on the quai Bonnelle, opposite the ferry quay, Locatourisle hires electric bikes with a range of up to 140 km, children's mountain bikes, seats and trailers. It is open every day of the year from 8:30 to 18:00, with day and week rates, and delivers bikes to any point on the island. They recommend booking, online or by phone (06 38 94 44 26), and will help you plan the route. Prices are in their 2026 rate leaflet.

If you bring your own bike, the BreizhGo Océane ferry from Quiberon charges €15 return for the bike.

When to go

May, June and September: long days and good temperatures. In July and August the island receives more visitors and more cars. With a strong west wind, the wild-coast stretch becomes hard: choose a day with light wind for the full tour.

With children

With seats or trailers, the short loop (Le Palais, Sauzon and back, about 14 km) is more reasonable than the full circuit. For teenagers on e-bikes, the whole circuit is a good challenge. Take water and something to eat: between the villages there are stretches without services.

What to bring

Helmet, reflective vest, lock, waterproof jacket (in Brittany the weather changes fast), sun cream, water and swimwear if you are going to finish at the beach.

Where to sleep and eat

In Sauzon, the Hôtel du Phare and the Camping La Source; in Le Palais, the Hôtel Le Clos Fleuri. For a meal halfway, there is the Crêperie Chez Renée, in the centre of the island.