Île aux Moines from Port-Blanc

What it is

The Île aux Moines is the largest island in the Gulf of Morbihan: about 6 km long and 3.5 wide, cross-shaped, with a village in the centre, where the four arms meet. About 630 people live on it. It is one of the two islands in the gulf with their own town council and is reached in five minutes by boat from Port-Blanc, in Baden.

What you do is walk or cycle along narrow paths and roads, with hardly any cars: only vehicles authorised by the town council run. There are whitewashed stone houses, pine woods, small coves and views of the gulf from every point.

The crossing

The regular boat is run by Izenah Croisières and operates every day of the year, with no booking. It leaves Port-Blanc at five and thirty-five minutes past the hour, and leaves the island on the hour and at half past. It costs €6.80 per adult and €4.40 for ages 4 to 10; under-4s travel free. Dogs on a lead are allowed on its boats. If you want to take your bike, ask at the ticket office: the website does not make it clear for the crossing.

At the Port-Blanc landing stage there are car parks nearby, some paid and others free further away. In summer they fill up: arrive early.

If you would rather see the rest of the gulf before getting off, Izenah's gulf cruise stops at the island at midday and you return later on the boat.

What to see

• The village, a few minutes uphill from the harbour, with the church of Saint-Michel, from 1802, which keeps sailors' ex-votos, and the chapel of Notre-Dame-d'Espérance, on the rue de la Mairie.
• The Kergonan cromlech: a horseshoe-shaped enclosure of standing stones, among the largest in Europe. Its largest stone is called le Moine, the monk.
• The Penhap dolmen, the best preserved on the island, on the south arm, about 5 km from the village.
• The beaches: the Grande Plage, Port Miquel and Le Gored, where the remains of an old stone fish weir survive.
• The points: Trec'h, Brouel and Toulindac have calvaries and viewpoints over the gulf; next to Toulindac is the bois d'Amour.

Getting around

On foot, the village and Kergonan can be seen in a morning. To reach the Penhap dolmen and return, allow about 10 km there and back from the village. By bike you can see the whole island in half a day.

For bike hire, Izenah lists several points on the island on its website: the Véloc'Ouest shops (P'tit Louis Locations, Port Locations and Bourg Location), which have electric bikes and online booking, and L'Île à Vélo, on the route du Port. Check prices and availability directly with them.

How long and when

Half a day is enough for the village, Kergonan and a beach; a whole day if you want to go down to Penhap or have lunch on the island. The boat runs all year, so it also works in winter, with the island almost to yourself. In July and August the morning boats are full and the island has a holiday atmosphere.

With children or with a dog

With children it is a good excursion: a short crossing, traffic-free paths and calm beaches. A pushchair is fine on the little roads, worse on the coastal paths. With a dog, keep it on a lead on the boat.

Back on the mainland, the Carnac alignments lie to the west, past Auray.