Ile Brehat

Visit Ile Brehat, Brittany

Found on the northern coast of Brittany in the Cotes d'Armor department, Brehat is a small island affectionately known as the 'Island of Flowers' just off the coast from Paimpol - the setting of the trees and flowers against the backdrop of the pink granite of the island makes a very attractive combination.

Strictly speaking Ile Brehat is two islands, of roughly equal size, that are connected by a bridge built by Vauban, the French military engineer. There are also numerous smaller islands just off the coast and in the same group, such as Ile Beniguet, the island you can see to the west. Together the group of islands is called the Brehat archipelago.

The northern island is predominantly a landscape of heather and gorse landscape, while the southern island is more Mediterranean in character, with exotic plants able to grow here because of the warm micro-climate on the island - you will see many plants and flowers such as yuccas and mimosas that you more commonly associate with your trips to the south of France.

Exploring Ile-de-Brehat

The coast line around Ile-de-Brehat is especially varied, with small ports and beaches giving way to dramatic red cliffs and jagged islands jutting out of the sea - and many lovely views along the coast and across to the small neighbouring islands.

A tour of the island, can be made by bicycle or on foot - the southern island is the most easily accessible. The highlights you should see include a 19th century fort and nearby glassworks to the south-west of Brehat; an attractive little tidal mill called the Moulin du Birlot on the western coast, and the nearby Chapel Saint-Michel (especially notable for the views from the chapel, which stands relatively high on a small hill).

Of course you will also want to visit the town of Bréhat, which has basic facilities and a 12th century church (much modified in the 18th century). A hundred years ago the town was a centre for post-impressionist artists, attracting among others both Gauguin and Matisse, and also has a reputation for inspiring writers and poets.

Nearby Guerzido beach is a popular beach in a bay that is sheltered from the strong winds that can affect much of the Brittany coast.

On the northern island you can see another small 19th century chapel, and also the Paon lighthouse, standing high on a raised rock peninsula jutting into the sea. The current lighthouse was built after World War Two to replace the 19th century lighthouse in the same location that had been destroyed by the Nazis.

A legend tells that if a young lady throws a flat pebble into the sea from the two large rocks near the lighthouse, the number of bounces made by the stone is the number of years until the girl will get married.

Getting here

Ferries to Ile-de-Brehat leave from the port at Ploubazlanec, just outside Paimpol. The ferry crossing only takes about 10 minutes, although for a higher charge you can take a boat that travels around the island first before dropping you off, so about 45 minutes long and a lovely way to see the coast of the Ile-de-Brehat.

Suggested places to visit near Ile Brehat, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Perros-Guirec 34km; Lannion 36km; Tregastel 38km; Saint-Brieuc 39km; Cap Frehel 50km; Locquirec 51km; Guerlesquin 56km; Moncontour 58km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Ile Brehat

Ile Brehat tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Beauport Abbey - grand site of france (7km) : Jardins de Kerdalo - remarkable garden (17km) : Jardin du château de la Roche-Jagu - remarkable garden (17km) : Jardin du Kestellic - remarkable garden (19km) : Cap d'Erquy / Cap Frehel - grand site of france (44km) : Quintin - ville fleurie 4* (48km) : Cap Frehel - site of natural beauty (51km) : Jardin du Colombier - remarkable garden (54km) :

French version: see Ile Brehat (Francais)