Coastal Brittany
Starting from Le Palais, the GR340 loops around Belle-Île-en-Mer on the coastal path, from cliffs to coves and harbours to moorland, on a route more demanding than it looks.
A 75 km loop starting from Le Palais.
The GR340 goes around Belle-Île-en-Mer, the largest of the Breton islands, off the coast of the Morbihan. It follows the coastal path in a loop and starts from Le Palais, where the boats from the mainland dock. Along the way, it passes through the island’s four communes: Le Palais, Sauzon, Bangor and Locmaria. In 2022, it was voted France’s favorite GR in the competition organized by the FFRandonnée.
The route described by MonGR leaves Le Palais by skirting the Vauban citadel, follows the north coast via the Pointe de Taillefer and Port Fouquet, then drops down to the little harbor of Sauzon before reaching the Pointe des Poulains. The path then follows the wild coast, facing the ocean: Donnant beach, the needles of Port Coton, which Claude Monet painted in the fall of 1886, Port Goulphar and Port Kérel. It reaches Locmaria via the Pointe de Pouldon and Port Maria, then returns to Le Palais via Port Andro and the Grands Sables beach.
The path has no technical sections, but it is constantly dropping down to the coves and climbing back up onto the cliffs: the tourist office compares its ascent to that of mid-altitude mountains. It is therefore for fit walkers. You can walk it as a long-distance hike, changing accommodation every evening, or from a single base, with daily transfers to the start of each stage.
Le Palais
From Auray station, served by the Paris–Quimper TGV, get to Quiberon on the Tire-Bouchon train in summer, or on the BreizhGo line 601 coach the rest of the year; allow time to get from the stop to the ferry terminal. BreizhGo Océane runs the crossing from Quiberon to Le Palais all year round; other seasonal boats leave from Vannes, Port-Navalo and Le Croisic, among others.
The Morbihan departmental tourism committee advises coming out of season, in spring or fall. The boats from Quiberon run all year round, but the Belle-Île Bus network only operates from the Easter school holidays to the All Saints’ holidays.
Challenging
No technical sections, but endless climbs and descents between coves and cliffs; the tourist office compares the ascent to mid-altitude mountains, and several stages are rated difficult.
2 gîtes, 1 youth hostel, 3 B&Bs, and 10 hotels
Accommodation is found in Le Palais, Sauzon, Bangor, Locmaria and Portguen; the Étape Rando Bretagne label flags several places less than 2 km from the path. Many require a minimum stay of two nights: book early, or explore from a single base. Local companies transport luggage or walkers, such as La Bagagerie de Belle-Île and Les Cars Bleus.
Bivouacking and wild camping are forbidden all year round on the island. Since June 20, 2022, pointed walking poles have been banned on the entire coastal path: fit them with tip protectors, sold at the tourist office. The coastal path is reserved for pedestrians, the Grotte de l’Apothicairerie is not open to the public and the gathering of goose barnacles is regulated.
There are no water points, toilets or bins along the path: water, toilets and supplies are only found in the four communes. Set off each morning with water for the day and a small bag to carry your trash back.
TrekGR stage plan: each stage ends where you can sleep. Actual walking time excluding breaks (DIN 33466 standard).
| Stage | Route | Distance | Ascent | Descent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Le Palais → Bortifaouen | 21.1 km | 240 m | 230 m |
| 2 | Bortifaouen → Domois | 17.2 km | 160 m | 160 m |
| 3 | Domois → Le Skeul | 18.9 km | 270 m | 240 m |
| 4 | Le Skeul → Le Palais | 18.1 km | 250 m | 280 m |
26 places to stay near the route, from refuges to campgrounds.
No current alerts for this GR (checked on November 12, 2026). All live updates →
Yes. The tourist office describes two options: the long-distance hike, which means booking different accommodation each evening, and the single base, with the same base camp and daily transfers to the start and end of each stage. Les Cars Bleus offer a transfer package designed for the tour of the island, from Monday to Friday (Belle-Île tourist office).
The MonGR suggestion starting from Le Palais heads for Sauzon and the Pointe des Poulains, follows the wild coast via Port Coton, then returns to Le Palais via Locmaria. The stages suggested by the tourist office follow the same order.
No. Bivouacking is forbidden all year round on Belle-Île, as is wild camping, to protect a fragile environment. Plan a campground or accommodation for every night (Belle-Île tourist office).
Only with tip protectors. Since June 20, 2022, pointed poles have been banned on the entire coastal path to protect the site; poles without points or fitted with tip protectors are still allowed, and the tourist office sells tip protectors.
The main crossing runs from the Quiberon ferry terminal to Le Palais, all year round, with BreizhGo Océane (Belle-Île tourist office). You can reach Quiberon from Auray station on the Tire-Bouchon train in summer or by BreizhGo coach. Other seasonal crossings leave from Vannes, Port-Navalo, Locmariaquer, Lorient or Le Croisic.
It has no technical sections, but the climbs and descents follow one another all along the coast, and the tourist office compares the total ascent to that of mid-altitude mountains. Physical preparation is advisable; the single-base option lets you walk with a light pack.
Route: OpenStreetMap contributors. Elevation: IGN’s RGE ALTI®, one point every 50 m. Text checked on November 12, 2026.
