My journey in France...
Belle Île
Belle Île (October 1st 2000). One of my favorite souvenirs from Britain.
The waves of Belle Île.
Having badly planned our trip last time (see The Morbihan), this time I took care of noticing both the ferry's and the sightseeing tours' schedule.
The departure
I woke up at 5h30 and left Rennes around 6h15. I arrived at Quibéron around 8h00. The ride was not easy: it was foggy most of the time.
The sun just rised on Quibéron when I bought my ticket at the ferryport. Some time later the ferry was shoring.
Few minutes later we were onboard. I went at the back of the ship in order to get a interesting viewpoint.
The crossing (about 45 min.) gave a hard time to my body: we were right in the middle of the tidal season!
The island
Belle-Île is located at 15 km offshore. Its acreage is 84 km2. Due to its position and its orientation, the island holds a sheltered coast on the North side and a wild coast on the South side.
The sheltered coast offers greenish glen, creeks & beaches, flowery hillsides and small villages to the visitors. The wild coast offers cliffs downed by the dominating winds and the ocean as well as deep caves.
Le Palais
From the Quibéron's port we navifate to Le Palais' port. While getting closer to the island, we can see the imposing Citadelle. Build over the ruins of the Gondy's palaces, it was developed by Fouquet, fortified by Vauban, and equiped by Napoléon III.
Today it holds a museum in a Louis XIII's building.
A forced small walk: the buses' departure is at few meters from the port. After a short confusing moment, we got aboard the bus. The driver looks funny.
Locmaria
First insular destination, Locmaria is incontrovertible. During the ride the driver informs us on the island's history, geography and geomorphology.
On the scene, the driver suggests to visit the chapelle (dating from the XVIIth).
The trek continues while riding along the sheltered coast toward East. We changed direction half way and went to the wild coast side.
Port Goulphar
Important catering (manor and castle) and health (thalassotherapy) domain on the island, we arrived there for lunch.
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The Tall Lighthouse: one of the most powerfull of France with its range of 32 nautical miles (about 60 km). |
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The natural port of Goulphar: veritable fjord, well protected behind its rock-based battlement. |
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One of the many well-tailored trees all around the place. |
Port Coton's peaks
These peaks are in fact rocks that were so profiled by the elements that theiur shape became frayed. The tallest reaches 42 m.
Each one's profile remembers more or less famous people's face. A bit farther a view on the Atlantic ocean.
Poulains's point
Magnificient views over the Groix island, Quibéron and the Wild Coast, formed by chaotic and shredded rocks.
The Sarah Bernhardt's fort. |
Profiled rocks: this picture gives |
Natural cave. |
Motif of the rocks' texture. |
Île, à marée haute, que surmonte un phare, dans un paysage d'une sauvage grandeur.
Apothicairerie cave
One of the Britain's wonders. Curious rocky tunnel where th sea devours.
They called this place "apothicairerie" because the way the birds nest in layered ranks remembers the shelves of a apothicary.
Close from there, an interesting view on the coast.
Sauzon
Fishing port, called Port Philippe in the old time, and pretty small city where the houses spread along the hillsides of the Sauzon river. It's a picturesque regional attraction.
View of the port at low tide.
With its small lighthouse at the end of the dock, its sardine and crayfish boats, and its marina, Sauzon reserves to the amateur photograph (like me!) some very nice pictures.
Back to Le Palais
Here is a panoramic view over Le Palais' inland marina.
The ferry was there, on time, as usual!
The day was ending and it was time to get back to Rennes. Last view of Belle-Île and its historic Citadelle from the ferry.
My new friends
Ho! I would like to introduce you my 2 new friends that accompanied me all day long!
The
pictures contained in the following web pages were realized by, and
are the property of: Martin Lemieux (a.k.a. Maître Bart).
Any copy, in whole or in part, for commercial or lucrative usage must be
previously approved by the author.
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