Breton, Atlantic or Mediterranean, French islands offer a real change of scene just a short way from the mainland. A slow pace, bikes rather than cars, unspoilt beaches and fishing villages: each one has its own character.
This selection ranges from Bréhat, the island of flowers, to Porquerolles and Port-Cros, jewels of the Var, by way of Belle-Île, Ré, Oléron, Yeu and Sein. It also includes the wild Corsican archipelagos of Lavezzi and the Sanguinaires, to be explored by boat.
Île-de-Bréhat is a French commune in the Côtes-d'Armor département, north of the Pointe de l'Arcouest in Brittany, made up of the Bréhat archipelago, named after the main island.
View full page →
A cylindrical tower with a base, built in 1836 – 44 metres above ground and 68 metres above sea level – 210 steps – range of 23 miles – 5 white flashes in 25 seconds – automated since 1995 – very fine view of the Île de Batz and the coast.
View full page →
A former megalithic site then druidic retreat, the island of "Sena" was described by a Roman geographer as early as the year 43 of our era.
View full page →
One of Europe's rare convex beaches, on the east coast of the island of Groix, with white sand and turquoise water.
View full page →
Located west of Belle-Île, on the wild coast, the needles have as their neighbour the Grand Phare guiding sailors with its range of 111 km...
View full page →
The main town of the island of Noirmoutier, between salt marshes, a medieval castle and white houses with colourful shutters.
View full page →
L'Île-d'Yeu is a French commune in the Vendée département and the Pays de la Loire region.
View full page →
The fortified port of the Île de Ré, with its citadel and Vauban ramparts inscribed by UNESCO.
View full page →
The Île d'Oléron is the largest of the French islands after Corsica. It is separated from the coast by the Pertuis d'Antioche and the Pertuis de Maumusson.
View full page →
The island of Porquerolles is the largest and westernmost of the three Golden Isles of the Gulf of Hyères, with an area of 12.54 km².
View full page →
Port-Cros is undoubtedly the wildest of the 3 islands of the Golden Isles archipelago, but also the most mountainous.
View full page →
From Corsica to Sardinia, only a few kilometres separate these islands, but many sailors have wrecked their ships on these terrible reefs, as the marine cemeteries of Furcone and Archiarino and the memory of the wreck of La Sémillante in 1855 bear witness.
View full page →
The Sanguinaires archipelago is an exceptional natural site renowned for its magnificent sunsets.
View full page →