The Glénan archipelago the jewel of Fouesnant-les Glénan

A unique archipelago with many faces!

Located around fifteen kilometres off the coast of Fouesnant, the Glénan Archipelago is a Breton jewel known for its crystal-clear waters, white sand and exceptional biodiversity. The Glénan archipelago is famous for its crystal-clear waters, white sand and exceptional biodiversity, and its beauty is unrivalled in Southern Brittany! This little corner of paradise, often compared to tropical lagoons, offers a timeless interlude in the open sea. The water here is the clearest in Brittany! And if the archipelago continues to offer a picture postcard setting worthy of the Caribbean, it’s at the price of a firm commitment to preserving its biodiversity!

©Les Glenan Riviera Bretonne Amoureux Du Monde 2018 6

The Glénan Archipelago a blue paradise in Fouesnant

Around fifteen kilometres off the south coast of Finistère, the Glénan archipelago unfurls its islands, islets and reefs in the heart of a lagoon with a tropical feel. Crystal-clear water, white sand, dazzling light… Made up of nine main islets and a multitude of reefs, the archipelago stretches around a central lagoon sheltered from the winds. The most emblematic islands include :

Saint-Nicolas: The tourist heart of the archipelago, this is where you disembark for a stroll along the beaches, following the signposted paths.
Penfret: Formerly inhabited, it now houses a nautical centre and semaphore.
Drénec: Wild and peaceful, a popular spot for nature lovers.
Bananec, Guiriden, Cigogne, Loch: So many islands with evocative names, each with its own character.

How do I get to Les Glénan?

Visit the Glénan With a clear conscience

Best practices for preserving the ecosystem

Stay on the marked paths to avoid trampling protected species.
Don’t move or take anything with you, except your souvenirs (shells, plants or sand are not allowed to be collected).
Avoid walking on the tops of beaches and dunes.
Respect the silence and nesting areas: the birds will thank you.
Keep your distance from wild animals, even if they are very beautiful.
Remember to take your rubbish with you: there are no bins on the islands.
Don’t pile up pebbles to form “cairns” (a trendy practice but bad for the environment).
Keep your dog on a lead and away from the beach to avoid frightening the birds (dogs are not allowed on the beaches from 1 June to 30 September).
Bring water and a cap or hat (there are no shady spots on the island).
Use biodegradable suncare products before swimming.
Take a picnic or book in at one of the two restaurants on Saint-Nicolas (April to September).

And for boaters…

Use the municipal ecological moorings set up in the main anchorage areas.
If you have to drop anchor, do so on the sand and avoid the eelgrass beds.
Take your rubbish ashore and dispose of your waste water through the collection services.
On board, use natural biodegradable products rather than detergents.

Booklet for respectful visitors - Glénan Archipelago

the Glénan Archipelago Locate

Exceptional biodiversity and preserving nature

The archipelago is classified as a Natura 2000 area, reflecting its great ecological wealth. It is home to many species of plants and animals, both on land and at sea.

The Glénan Narcissus, an endemic plant, only flowers here in spring. It is protected and symbolises the fragility of this island environment.
Colonies of seabirds, notably common and caugek terns, nest on the islets.
Seagrass beds, rich in marine life, line the seabed around the islands, providing a veritable nursery for fish and shellfish.

And if you’re lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of grey seals, dolphins and even the basking shark, a peaceful giant threatened with extinction at national level. Discover our other protected natural areas!

©The White Sea Between Benodet And Mousterlin In Fouesnant 4 1920x1280 1

Natural areas

The story human and maritime

Megalithic remains attest to the presence of man since the Neolithic period. For centuries, the trading activity of the ports in South Finistère attracted a great deal of interest. The Glénans were the ideal hideout for pirates from England and the Netherlands. During the 19th century, fishing boomed, with the construction of fish dryers and shellfish tanks. The construction of a soda factory on Le Loc’h at the end of the 19th century marked the industrial history of the Glénan. The seaweed collected nearby was burnt to make soda ash, which was then sold to industries on the mainland.

A paradise… with no permanent inhabitants.
Today, no-one lives there, but many people do come… And yet many human activities take place there. Every year since 1947, the Glénans sailing school has been a veritable institution, welcoming many trainees to the islands. For sea bass, pollack and mackerel fishermen, the Glénans is a fantastic playground.

Did you know?

The archipelago is home to one of Europe’s largest maerl beds.
Crystal-clear water, white sand, dazzling light… This picture-postcard setting, which has earned the site the appellation “Breton Caribbean”, owes its beauty to the clear granite seabed and the presence of maerl, an extremely calcareous red algae that contributes to the purity of the waters and gives the fouesnantais sand its “ultra bright” whiteness as it decomposes.

OTHER SITES TO EXPLORE

Natural areasa natural heritage to preserve

©Photographer - videographer|JEREMY JEHANIN

The beachesTo each his own!

Practical infoTo find out more