Île de Groix, Brittany
The region of Brittany is stunning and nothing is prettier than its islands. Île de Groix is a small picturesque island in this region and its 24 square kilometres are so lovely that it attracts lots of visitors and deserves a visit if you can add it to your itinerary. Over the last 12 months I've been visiting some of the islands in my region (Île de Batz, Île de Bréhat and Belle Île) and have fallen in love with everything about them.
The boat ride to each island is slightly different and each island has its own vibe. I can't believe just how fairytale sweet the homes on the islands are and the little swimming coves that are dotted around all the islands are divine. Today, I'm sharing what you need to know with stunning photos of Île de Groix, or as it's also known, the 'wild one'.
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Île de Groix stretches over 8 km in length and 3 km in width with the west and east sides of the island being quite different to each other. The west is wild and steep with Pointe de Pen-Men (and its square lighthouse) being on the wildest part of the west coast. The east is picturesque with beaches and groves.
Île de Groix - Grand Phare at Pointe de Pen-Men
History of Île de Groix
You can find the island laying offshore four miles from the bustling town of Lorient, a town and seaport in the Morbihan department of Brittany in western France. It's a relatively new town (as far as French history goes), founded in the 17th century and recently well-known for it's submarine naval base built in 1941 by the German Kriegsmarine during WWII.
Tuna fishing dominates the island's history with it being the main source of employment for around 2,000 of the island's inhabitants between 1870 and 1940. The pretty harbour of Port-Tudy used to bustle with colourful fishing boats during the heyday of fishing, but now Port-Tudy is filled with moored pleasure boats that glisten with water as the tide lowers.
The tuna fish is such an important part of the island's culture that it has been immortalised in the iron fish weathervane on the church tower.
Port Tudy
Port Tudy
Brightly painted boats, fishing nets and traps and colourful lighthouses are such interesting photography subjects, and if you love these views, Île de Groix has it all in spades, especially at Port Tudy.
The island's first jetty at the Port was built in 1792 and was replaced in 1860. The port unfortunately is particularly vulnerable to bad weather and so in an effort to protect fishing vessels two other piers were built. Despite these efforts, major shipwrecks still occurred in the 19th and 20th centuries. With the 1935 extension of the northwest pier, the port and its fishing vessels, recreational boats and ferries are now protected. This means that access to the island is safe and easy now.
Port-Tudy is still the largest fishing and pleasure port on the island and today it's where your ferry from Lorient and Port-Louis will dock.
Going to Île de Groix via Bateau d'Escal’Ouest
Escal'Ouest makes the crossing by boat to the island of Groix from Lorient La Base from April to September, every weekend. In the high summer seasons of July and August the boat crossings are every day and with additional crossings on Saturdays. The crossing takes 45 minutes. You can buy your tickets online or at the departure point.
You should note that the Escal'Ouest boat stops in Port-Louis before heading to the island of Groix.
– Departure times from Lorient-La Base: 9:00 and 16:30 (Stopover in Port-Louis)
– Departure times from Port-Tudy de Groix: 10:15 and 17:45
Get rates and timetables on the Escal’Ouest website.
Going to Île de Groix via The Ocean Company
The Ocean Company offers crossings every day of the year from Gare Maritime de Lorient and this service allows you to take your car. Expect the trip to take around 45 minutes. In terms of fares, expect to pay a little more on the weekends and in the high season. Make sure you are at the departure point at least 15 minutes before departure time at Gare Maritime. Tickets can be purchased at the departure point or online if you prefer.
Get rates and timetables for boat crossings on the Ocean Company (Compagnie Océane) website.
Homes on Île de Groix
Like other quaint islands close to the Breton shore, houses are often low. Some are brightly coloured in render to protect them from the wind and others have shutters that remind you of the deep blue sea. Walking around the small islands of Brittany and looking at the homes perched on the cliffs or around the town squares has to be what I love the most. Fluttering lace curtains, chippy painted shutters, geraniums in terracotta pots and lazy sleepy cats on stone walls are typical sights.
The much calmer Locmaria port is hidden among the winding streets with pretty houses and fountains.
Natural Wonders of Île de Groix
Islands are often places of safety for bird populations and Île de Groix has a bird sanctuary on the north-westerly Pointe de Groix. Drawing visitors who know more bird varieties than seems possible, the sanctuary is an important ecological site.
The island also draws geologists who come to take a closer look at the 60 varieties of minerals, including the very particular blue glaucophane.
The island even has megaliths, which bear witness to ancient civilisations and occupation.
Beaches of Île de Groix
The island has the only convex beach in Europe called Grands-Sables. It has fine sand in every shade from garnet to white and joins the clear water in a spectacular sight.
Another beach, the exquisite Sables-Rouges, is coloured by garnet. If you'd prefer a tranquil lagoon, you are in luck! Poulziorec is the calm lagoon at the bottom of a steep path that epitomises paradise itself.
Things to See on Île de Groix
As well as the natural wonders of the island that can be explored by walking trails, bike riding and exploring by boat, there are places and events on the calendar you won't want to miss.
Écomusée is a museum dedicated to the heritage and history of life of an island community - you'll find it at the end of Port Tudy Quay in a former cannery - Bretagne Museum Official Website - Écomusée
Maison de la Réserve is located at Rue Maurice Gourong and was created to educate the public on, and preserve the natural heritage of the island. There is a naturalist library, temporary exhibitions on the fauna and flora of the island and also genuine Groisillon products (products made by inhabitants of the Île de Groix.
Féte de la Mer (held annually late July) pays respect to those perished at sea. The parishioners of the island towns of Groix, Lomener and Larmor meet in the middle of the courreaux de Groix for quiet meditation with the clergy flying their banners at the head of the procession.
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