Belle-Île-en-Mer
Small harbours
There are three harbours in Belle-Île: Le Palais, Sauzon and Locmaria.
Le Palais is the biggest, the one where the ferry linking the island to Quiberon lands.
Sauzon is a smaller fishing harbour, quite picturesque with its lighthouse, and colourful under the sun. Fishing boats are moored in shallow clear water reflecting the houses.
Coastline
The coastline of the island is rocky, the northern coast has small sheltered sandy creeks.
The western coast has higher cliffs, from which you can gaze at the transparent water that glitters among the rocks.
The eastern part of the island lies lower on the blue and green water, some beaches are broader, but most have a a rocky access.
Land
Le Palais is a fortified town designed by Vauban (or in the Vauban style, this man would have had multiple personalities disorder if he had fortified every French city that has a wall named after him), encircled with a soil wall cut by granite gates.
Cycling around the island is really pleasant (with your bike or a rented one), even if some climbs are a little impressive. It would be better if the ferries brought less cars and public transportation was more prevalent. Car renting companies try to develop electric scooter and car renting, their silence is pleasant.
Inland, the Goulphar lighthouse gives a very good point of view to check the panoramas of the island, with sheep scattered on the land, and sails on the sea. The staircase of the lighthouse revolves around an impressive cylindrical void.
On bikes, it’s easy to get to quiet beaches, at the end of shady paths, with outlooks on the countryside. You are never far away from the sea, which you glimpse along the way.