Discover Belle-Île-en-Mer by Motorhome: Complete Guide
Introduction
Welcome to our ultimate guide to an unforgettable road trip to Belle Isle-sur-Mer, France! Immerse yourself in the island’s fascinating history, explore its unique geography, and learn more about the various travel options. Do you want to experience life in style on this beautiful island? We have all the tips for finding the best RV parks, for free of course! Want to know where to try the best local dishes and what are the must-see activities on the island? We have the answers! Don’t miss our suggestions for the perfect Belle Isle-sur-Mer trip and find out how much you should budget to make the most of this extraordinary experience. Buckle up, the adventure begins here!
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Motorhome road trip video in this destination
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What is Belle-Île-en-Mer – France?
History of Belle-Île
Belle-Île-en-Mer, where the wind and waves have more stories to tell than any dusty old book! Hop aboard our trusty horse Edward and let us tell the story of this island gem.
Conquered by the Normans in the ninth century, Belle-Île was little more than a sketch on the canvas of history. Echoes of Viking battles still echo on the beaches, while the crumbling fortress walls tell of the centuries-long battle for control of this Atlantic jewel.
Over the centuries, the Dukes of Brittany and later the Kingdom of France have left their mark here. When Vauban designed the castle that still stands proudly today, his original intention was to repel invaders, but he may have also inspired countless artists and travelers who have walked through these lands.
Thus, Belle Island, known by its inhabitants as “the beautiful name”, tells a story as magnificent as its stunning landscapes. Between the blue sky and the white sea foam, every stone, every alley in the village tells the story of a sometimes turbulent, sometimes carefree past.
Geographic location
The island is close to the Gulf of Morbihan and the famous Quiberon Peninsula. Just a stone’s throw away, you will find the charming town of Vannes, rich in history, while the island is surrounded by the vast ocean on all sides. Between the sky and the sea, the soft songs of sailors echo in this destination that is not disturbed by mountains or volcanoes. Less than a hundred kilometers (about 62 miles) away, forests such as the legendary cradle Brocéliande guard this Breton land. It is a real heartbeat for globetrotters looking for tranquility and amazing landscapes!
How to get to Belle Island?
To reach Belle-île-en-Mer by motorhome, you can either depart from Nantes or Vannes, the nearest cities. If you depart from Nantes, you must take the N165 to Vannes. After about 88 km you will reach Vannes. Then continue on the D768 to Quiberon. Once in Quiberon, you can take a boat to Belle-île-en-Mer.
If you depart from Vannes, you should take the D768 to Quiberon. After about 55 km, you will reach Quiberon. Then you can take a boat to Belle-île-en-Mer.
In summary, to reach Belle-île-en-Mer by motorhome, you should take the N165 if you depart from Nantes and the D768 if you depart from Vannes. Once in Quiberon, you can take a boat to your destination.
To get to Belle-Île-en-Mer from the French capital, you can take the train. First, hop on the high-speed train from Paris to Vannes, along the TGV line. Then, at Vannes station, take the regional train towards Quiberon on the TER line. Once you reach Quiberon, continue your journey by ferry to Belle-Île-en-Mer. You can also grab a taxi from Quiberon station to the port. Enjoy this picturesque trip and take in the stunning landscapes of Brittany. Have a great journey!
To reach Belle Island by plane, the nearest national airports are Nantes Atlantique, about 100 km from Nantes, and Rennes Saint-Jacques, about 170 km from Rennes. The nearest international airport is Paris Orly, about 450 km from Paris. From these airports, you can take a domestic flight to Lorient Brittany South Airport (about 50 km from Lorient) and then take a ferry to Belle Island-sur-Mer.
Ferry services run frequently and can be booked in advance.
Please check the flight and ferry schedules before planning your trip. Hello! If you want to reach Belle Island by plane, the easiest way is through a national airport such as Nantes Atlantique or Rennes Saint-Jacques. If you are coming from further afield, Paris Orly is your best option. From there, take a domestic flight to Lorient Brittany South Airport and then take a ferry to Belle Island.
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The island isn’t really accessible for RVs, so you’ll need to make a stop in Quiberon and visit the island in one day if you’re short on time (that’s what we did, and it was a real race). However, you can also spend a night or two on the island to take your time and explore as many nooks and crannies as possible.
Weather: When visit Belle-île en mer by campervan ?
| Month | Average Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Weather | Opinion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4°/8° (39°F/46°F) | 73mm | 🌧️ | Not favorable |
| February | 4°/9° (39°F/48°F) | 60mm | 🌧️ | Unfavorable |
| March | 5°/10° (41°F/50°F) | 64mm | 🌧️ | Unfavorable |
| April | 7°/12° (45°F/54°F) | 52mm | 🌧️ | Unfavorable |
| May | 10°/15° (50°F/59°F) | 54mm | 🌦️ | Not favorable |
| June | 13°/18° (55°F/64°F) | 45mm | 🌦️ | Not favorable |
| July | 15°/20° (59°F/68°F) | 40mm | ⛅ | Not favorable |
| August | 15°/20° (59°F/68°F) | 45mm | ⛅ | Not favorable |
| September | 13°/18° (55°F/64°F) | 54mm | 🌧️ | Not favorable |
| October | 11°/16° (52°F/61°F) | 81mm | 🌧️ | Not favorable |
| November | 7°/12° (45°F/54°F) | 83mm | 🌧️ | Unfavorable |
| December | 5°/9° (41°F/48°F) | 84mm | 🌦️ | Unfavorable |
So when is the best time to visit Belle Isle? I would say visit this beautiful place in the summer, from June to September. Then you can really enjoy the sandy beaches, the mild sunny weather, and all the summer activities. When we were there the weather was a bit mixed, with some sunshine and some rain – which is typical for the area, right?
Where to spot in belle-île en mer by camper ?
- 📍Camping by the Ocean: Rosboscer, 56360 Le Palais, France • Rating: 4.3• Coordinates (47.34312329999999 – -3.1670277)
- 📍ROMANEE – The Bordénéo: Lieu Dit, Bordeneo, 56360 Le Palais, France • Rating: 3.8• Coordinates (47.3550639 – -3.1702222)
- 📍Camping Trion Guen: lieu dit, Trion Guen, 56360 Le Palais, France • Rating: 4.7• Coordinates (47.330565 – -3.185656)
- 📍Camping Moulin Luc: Le Moulin Luc, 56360 Le Palais, France • Rating: 4.8• Coordinates (47.3533772 – -3.1861777)
- 📍Sauzon Municipal Campground: Pen Prad, 56360 Sauzon, France • Rating: 4.3• Coordinates (47.3673765 – -3.2243298)
- 📍AQUALOGIA Laundry: 34 Av. Carnot, Le Palais, 56360, France • Note: – • Coordinates (47.3449971 – -3.1553483)
- 📍KISwash Laundry: Le Palais, 56360, France • Note: – • Coordinates (47.340705 – -3.1739206)
- 📍Rapido Laundry: Borticado, Sauzon, 56360, France • Note: – • Coordinates (47.3487325 – -3.2090173)
- 📍Belle Ile Camper Vans: 597 route de Sauzon, Bellevue, 56360 Le Palais, France • Rating: 5 • Coordinates (47.350098 – -3.165418)
- 📍Camping Trion Guen: lieu dit, Trion Guen, 56360 Le Palais, France • Rating: 4.7 • Coordinates (47.330565 – -3.185656)
- 📍Camping de l’Océan: Rosboscer, 56360 Le Palais, France • Rating: 4.3 • Coordinates (47.34312329999999 – -3.1670277)
- 📍Parking: BELLE ILE EN MER BEACH, Les Grands Sables, Locmaria, 56360, France • Note: – • Coordinates (47.3177572 – -3.1101876)
- 📍Cemetery Parking: Bellevue, Le Palais, 56360, France • Note: – • Coordinates (47.34982549999999 – -3.1644353)
- 📍Parking: Remparts Street, Le Palais, 56360, France • Note: – • Coordinates (47.34481599999999 – -3.1537313)
Among these spots, we stayed at Camping de l’Océan on Belle-Île-en-Mer. Located in Rosboscer, this campsite offers a range of activities to make your stay unforgettable. We got to test the modern and comfortable facilities, and enjoy the heated pool. The surrounding landscapes are breathtaking, with a stunning view of the sea. Being close to the beach is a major plus, allowing us to fully enjoy the sea’s delights. The staff is warm and welcoming, ready to cater to all our needs. At Camping de l’Océan, we had moments of relaxation and camaraderie, feeling far from everyday life. We highly recommend it for an unforgettable vacation on Belle-Île-en-Mer.
Where and What to Eat on Belle-Île-en-Mer?
Here’s a list of traditional and typical restaurants in the town of Belle-Île-en-Mer, as well as the specialties to ask for, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the local gastronomy.
The Restaurants of Belle-Île-en-Mer
🍽️ Le Poisson Rouge • Rating: 3.4 • A traditional restaurant located in Le Palais, offering tasty cuisine in a friendly atmosphere.
🍽️ La Parenthèse • Rating: 4.6 • A restaurant located in Le Palais, offering inventive and refined cuisine in a pleasant setting.
🍽️ L’Abri Côtier • Rating: 4.7 • A restaurant located in Sauzon, offering stunning views of the sea and dishes made from fresh local products.
🍽️ Le Suet’ • Rating: 4.9 • A restaurant located in Locmaria, renowned for its gourmet cuisine and varied menu.
🍽️ Hôtel-Restaurant La Désirade • Rating: 4.7 • A restaurant located in Belle-Île-en-Mer, offering creative and elegant cuisine in a warm setting.
The Specialties of Belle-Île-en-Mer
After choosing a restaurant, here’s an overview of the typical dishes offered in this region. Savor the orau, quiche aux ormeaux, and the ratafia, an island digestive.
As you can see in the video, we only had a day, so we opted for practicality: a picnic on one of the island’s lovely beaches. Honestly, we didn’t regret that choice at all. Maybe we’ll hit up the restaurants next time!
Budget Travel for a Road Trip to Belle-Île-en-Mer
The currency used in Belle-Île-en-Mer, in Brittany, is the Euro (EUR). Compared to the French average, the cost of living in Belle-Île-en-Mer shows some specific variations. Here is an overview of the costs you can anticipate when visiting Belle-Île-en-Mer, comparing them to the French average. Please note that the percentages indicated are estimates based on available data and may not reflect current prices.
Exploring France on a budget? No worries! For UK and US travelers, France can be quite affordable. Lunch typically costs around 15€, fairly standard. Dinner gets pricier at about 30€, but fast food options at 10.50€ can stretch your budget further. Thirsty? A local beer sets you back about 6€. Moving around is pretty cheap too: a public transport ticket is only around 1.50€ ($1.70, £1.30), and gasoline costs about 2€ per liter ($2.25, £1.75).
Accommodation doesn’t break the bank either. A night in a cheap hotel (double room) is about 75€ ($67, £54), while mid-range and luxury options are 89€ ($80, £65) and 101€ ($91, £74), respectively. Shopping? A Levi’s 501 pair of jeans is around 65€ ($72, £57), and a summer dress from Zara or H&M is roughly 28€ ($31, £24). Not bad, right? So pack light, book smart, and enjoy your French escapade without blowing your budget!
Looking for things to do in Belle-île-en-mer?
Take a romantic stroll along Donnant Beach, enjoy a candlelit dinner at a seaside restaurant, stroll through the Belle Isle Castle gardens, take a boat trip to admire the stunning island scenery, spend a night in a tree house or uniquely restored accommodation at the lighthouse – these are some of the must-do things to do on Belle Isle for a perfect romantic getaway.
- First, visit the Sarah Bernhardt Museum to learn all about this famous actress who stayed on the island. It’s really interesting!
- Then explore the remains of the Fortress of Vauban, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The history there is really special.
- If you’re interested in art, be sure to visit some of the contemporary art exhibitions in the city’s galleries. Maybe you’ll discover some hidden gems!
- Want some entertainment? Attend a concert or show at the Belle Isle Theater. It’s a great way to spend an evening.
- Don’t forget to stroll through the charming streets and admire the island’s typical architecture. It’ll be like stepping back in time!
- Do you feel more like a water rat? Then go sailing, kayaking or paddleboarding. The sea is your playground!
- If you want to relax a little, hop on a bike and tour the island at your own pace. It’s the best way to explore every corner.
- Would you like to try your luck at sea? Try deep sea fishing. Who knows, you might catch a big one!
- And hey, if you like golf, Belle Isle has some world-class golf courses. Tee off in paradise!
- Every summer there is the “Belle Île en Scène” festival, with concerts all over the island.
- Then there is the Belle Île summer celebrations, with street performances, parades and fireworks.
- If you are interested in contemporary dance, there is a festival that brings together dance companies from all over the world.
- For film fans there is the “Belle Île en Scène” festival, with film screenings on the beach.
- Last but not least, the Belle Île Christmas Market offers handmade goods and activities for the little ones.
Conclusion: Why Visit or Return to Belle-Ile?
Oh, it is a pleasure to take you on a road trip to the gem of Brittany – Belle-Ile-sur-Mer! We hope that our story will immerse you in a sea of emotions. From the turbulent history of this city to the stunning landscapes that surround it, to its gastronomy and diverse activities, this destination is full of treasures to discover. So do not hesitate. Come aboard the Edward and start your own adventure on this magical island. Let the wind guide you on your journey and let yourself be enchanted by the beauty of Belle-Ile, where there are new stories to tell at every moment!
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