Making the most of Le Palais Belle Ile en Mer
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
As cruise ships cannot dock here, passengers will be brought ashore by tender.
Bring a printable map.
Hotels and cruise calendar for this port.
The “beautiful island” lives up to its promising name. Ponant’s largest island is a place of contrasts, with natural harbours and deep rias, sheltered coves overlooking turquoise-blue water, long golden sandy beaches, magnificent dunes, rugged cliffs and grottos…
This small paradise has 4 Communes, French administrative territories: Le Palais, the capital, with its imposing Citadel; Sauzon, a charming pastel-coloured harbour; Bangor, beside Gouphar’s great lighthouse above the wild coast; and Locmaria, whose village gathers around a small church full of legends.
From Le Palais, the port of arrival, a picture-perfect route climbs through hills and pastures to Sauzon. Monet painted this delightful port during a stay of several months in 1886. Farther along lie the ancient village of Bangor and its church.
Getting around
Lyrique en Mer/Festival de Belle Ile is western France’s largest opera festival. American opera singer Richard Cowan founded it in 1998. Each summer it stages two operas, conducted by Music Director Philip Walsh and directed by Artistic Director Mr. Cowan.
The festival also presents sacred concerts in each of the island’s four historic churches, alongside smaller concerts and Master Classes. Lyrique en Mer receives broad backing from French business, Conseil General, Conseil Regional and the Paris Senate.
Many types of car are available to hire, from old 2CVs to modern small buggies. Small cars suit the narrow roads, while bikes, motorbikes and scooters can also be rented.
Food and shopping
Several island creperies are restaurants specialising in Brittany’s sweet and savoury crepes.
Money
The currency is the Euro.
Staying connected
For Internet, ask the tourist office at Quai Bonnelle in Le Palais.
For local emergencies, call 112.
Opening Hours and
French shops, businesses, information services, museums and banks often stay open through the day. Smaller shops and firms may close for lunch between 12.30pm and 2pm. Large shops generally trade 8 or 9am–6.30 or 7.30pm Monday to Saturday; smaller shops Tuesday to Saturday, with some opening Monday afternoon. Boulangeries and food shops can still be found open on days others close, normally until noon on Sunday.