Treasures of Brittany Along the French Atlantic Coast

The mere mention of Saint-Malo’s name is enough to evoke the richness of its past. The fortifications stand as testimony to the Malouins’ determination to defend their citadel, fought over by France and Britain in turn. When we drop anchor here, immerse yourself in the diversity of its heritage: the time when privateers sailed the oceans in search of trade and victories; the legendary yacht races the port city is still famous for, such as the Route du Rhum; and the final resting place of the French writer François-René de Chateaubriand, who was born here and chose to be buried here anonymously.

The island of Brehat, which has banned cars from its streets, became France's first classified natural site in 1907. As it's 3.5 km long and 1.5 km wide, visit on foot for a change of scenery, one imbued with the maritime and military history which marked it from the Middle Ages. Its nickname is the Island of Flowers for the variety of its flora with agaves, echium, hydrangea, mimosa, mulberry trees, eucalyptus, aloes, camellias and the emblematic agapanthus. All year round, it enjoys the influence of the Gulf Stream which gives it a particularly mild microclimate, even in winter. It's also a paradise for birds, with 120 different species identified. 

Chart a course toward this sentinel island, the most westerly point of mainland France, recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1988. Some 7 km long, Ouessant boasts a wild and bitter beauty. Its landscapes, carved by the sea and the wind, are the home to thousands of sea birds. The island has been continuously inhabited since prehistoric times, with women dedicating themselves to farming while the men were fishermen and sailors. From Lampaul, admire the powerful lighthouses that adorn the Ouessant coastline, including the Créac’h lighthouse, which stands out from the rest with its black and white stripes.

The Glenan archipelago and its string of islets offer you a magical spectacle with their white sand beaches and emerald green waters. Located around 10 nautical miles from the French mainland, the Glénans are a succession of seven islets, coiled around an interior sea with a paradisiac decor. To the east, Penfret shelters the lighthouse. Further on is the largest island of Loch,  recognizable by its chimney stack. Then come Cigogne with its fort, Drenec, Bananec, Guéotec, and finally Saint-Nicolas. The daffodil is the emblematic flower of the Glénan Islands; these pretty white flowers decorate the idyllic landscape of the archipelago in springtime. 

An emblematic town in Brittany, it is hard to resist the delights of Concarneau. The "blue town” will astonish and surprise you with its charm and history.  Stroll along the streets of the Ville Close, with its remarkable walls and fortifications overlooking Concarneau Bay. Since the siege of the town by Duguesclin in the 16th Century, it has maintained its taste for adventure. The maritime history of the town and its canning industry is examined in the interesting fishing museum (Musee de la Peche). Also, do not miss the visit to Keriolet Castle, a neo-gothic gem built in the 19th Century by a Russian imperial princess.

“Qui voit Groix voit sa joie” (“Whoever sees Groix will see its glee”) — this proverb will make perfect sense as soon as your ship starts following the coastlines of Groix Island. Located around four nautical miles from Lorient, Groix stretches eight kilometers long and is home to pretty low houses and colorful gardens. There is much contrast in the panorama: mainly wild and craggy landscapes to the west, and long beaches to the east, inviting conviviality and relaxation. At the beginning of the 20th century, Groix was the leading tuna port in France and the tuna-shaped weather vane, perched atop the church belfry, illustrates this history.

Along its eight km of coastline and superb beaches, the island of Hoedic offers an enchanting and rare palette of colors and sensations. Authentic and faithful to its roots, it presents a universe that is both fragile and poetic. The island has steep shores, and upholds its motto: "Hoedic, come hell or high water." Secret and wild, the island saw its first tourists arrive at the beginning of the 1960's in second homes, which represent 80% of accommodation today. 

Port-Navalo is located at the entrance to the Gulf of Morbihan, at the extreme tip of the Rhuys peninsula. The view over Locmariaquer as well as over the Quiberon peninsula are exceptional. A charming village of traditional Breton houses, Port-Navalo has always been a resolutely maritime town, a traditional fishing port and a well-protected refuge from the Suroit winds. Do not miss the chance to stroll along the coastal footpath in search of viewpoints over this inland sea that is the gulf, crossed every day by all types of vessels including the famous sinagots with their red sails.

The following optional excursions will be available for an additional charge: Morbihan Gulf & Oyster Tasting, Medieval Vannes.

The island of Houat is home to 400 inhabitants all year round. It belongs to Mor Braz, a vast body of water that includes the peninsulas of Quiberon, Rhuys and Guerande. Houat is immediately striking thanks to its immaculate appearance and its sandy creeks bathed by emerald waters. If you walk briskly, it's possible to get around the island in a couple hours, admiring its landscapes, which are a paradise for amateur botanists, honeysuckle, tamarix, everlastings, sea pink and more. 

Lying to the South of Brittany, Belle-Île is very aptly named. The largest of the Ponant islands, it owes its glowing reputation to its exceptional environment and generous natural attributes: pristine moors and dunes, headlands and cliffs cut into granite points, rocky inlets, and sheltered bays with sandy or pebble beaches. Aboard your ship, watch the wild coastline of Belle-île-en-Mer, this little speck of land surrounded by the ocean sparkling with colors in the morning light.

The following optional excursions will be available for an additional charge: Hiking At Pointe Des Poulains, Eden Garden & Panoramic Tour, Panoramic Tour Of Belle-ile-en-mer.

Disembark in Nantes, one of the larger cities in France. On the banks of the Loire river, this charming city serves as an excellent starting point to explore the chateaux dotting the nearby countryside.