Last Updated on 22/08/2020 by secretmoona

Here, I am again in the Rhuys Peninsula, having been 2 years ago. When my friend invited me to join her for a long weekend in the Gulf of Morbihan, I couldn’t refuse. The idea of admiring the sunset, eating lots of seafood and taking a boat trip were the only things on my mind. Needless to say that I was thrilled. 

The Rhuys Peninsula is a pretty corner of Brittany. It’s fairly flat with some steep coastal points. You will find here pretty and long sandy beaches, small ports, small hiking paths and some rocky points which offer outstanding panoramic views.

Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys

Our base for the little break in Brittany was Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys. The seaside town is lovely with an abbey, a village feel with weekly markets and of course beautiful sandy beaches. The town has retained its olden charm with its mismatched architecture and friendly locals. On Sunday mornings, Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys bustles with the weekly market which takes place by the abbey. It’s one of the biggest markets in the area so it attracts lots of residents and tourists. 

Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys is a great summer break destination thanks to the 7 beautiful beaches on offer. As well as swimming, sunbathing and building sandcastles, people can also engage in water sports. You can go sailing, windsurfing or kitesurfing. The location of the peninsula makes kitesurfing fun.

The little port “Port aux Moines” was located within 15 minutes walk from our accommodation. It’s not as impressive as the other port in the area but is a good place to see the fishermen bring their catch of the day. used by the monks of the abbey – hence its name. 

It also makes a great starting point for one of the coastal walks. There are several routes for serious hikers or casual hikers like me. Along the many routes, hikers can discover the rocky coastline, coves and beaches. 

Ever since my trip to Jeju Island, I am slowly becoming an outdoorsy person. With the nice weather, we decided to explore the coastal path leading to the Pointe du Grand Mont, the highest point of the Rhuys Peninsula. All around the path, we were met with breathtaking views. I was amazed by the gorgeous landscape, empty beaches and the serene environment. For more information about the walking trails, check Brittany Tourism.’s website

Arzon, la pointe de l’île de Rhuys

On the second day, we went to Arzon, a lovely seaside village situated at the western end of the Rhuys peninsula, on the southern side of the Gulf of Morbihan in Brittany.

Port du Crouesty 

Our first stop was Port du Crouesty. Located in the centre of the Bay of Quiberon, the port du Crouesty is the largest port in Morbihan. If you love seeing boats, then you will be spoiled as the marina is home to thousands of leisure boats. The port is very lively all year around since boat shows like « Mille Sabords » are often held here. 

There are lots of clothing stores including restaurants and bars. The new houses and apartment blocks make the port less charming than Port-Navalo.

If you venture away from the port and follow the path, you will arrive at the Site du Petit Mont d’Arzon, a protected area with lovely views along the coast. From the port, you can easily take a boat trip to the islands of the Gulf of Morbihan.  

Port-Navalo

Port-Navalo, located in the west of Arzon, is a pleasant port with a pretty marina and has a more traditional Brittany fishing port than the previous one. This little gem is a must-see while in the Gulf of Morbihan.

There are lots of pretty walks and viewpoints as you head away from the port and towards the ocean. The path called “Corniche du Phare” which starts by the lighthouse offers nice views across the sea and along the coastline. On clear days, you can see Quiberon and Locmariaquer. 

Vannes

On the next day, we drove to Vannes. The walled town has more than 2,000 years of history with a well-preserved old town centre surrounded by medieval walls. Although the town has retained its medieval architecture, it is lively with lots of cafes, shops etc…

The moat of the former castle, Château de l’Hermine, has been replaced by a very beautiful garden.

Vannes is nice to wander around the cobblestone streets while admiring the colourful half-timbered houses and strolling along the harbour. The marina is lined with boats and lots of cafes and restaurants so you can stop by for a typical breton lunch of  galette de Sarrasin. The super thin buckwheat crepes are delicious and can be topped with pretty much anything.  The typical choice would be ham and cheese but I had mine with goat’s cheese, pear and walnuts. 

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