Island guide
What to do on the Île de Groix: the guide
The crossing from Lorient, Port-Tudy, the Grands Sables beach, the Pen-Men lighthouse, the wild coast and the geological reserve: what to do on the Île de Groix, by bike.
6 min read
Groix is Lorient’s island, forty five minutes away by boat. Once the capital of tuna fishing, it keeps its colourful sailors’ houses, a wild coast to the south and sheltered beaches to the east.
Port-Tudy
Boats arrive at Port-Tudy, where the ecomuseum tells the story of the great tuna boat era. The bike hire shops are on the quay: it is the best way to tour the island, which is about eight kilometres long.
The Grands Sables beach
On the east of the island, this beach juts out into the sea instead of curving inwards: a rare shape in Europe. Its sand moves from year to year with the currents.
Beaches and lighthouses
BeachPlage des Grands SablesÎle de Groix · 3 hours to a full dayOn Groix, Les Grands Sables is an exceptional convex beach of fine white sand, lifeguarded in summer, known for moving with the currents and storms.
BeachPlage de LocmariaÎle de Groix · 3 hours to a full dayIn the south of the island of Groix, Locmaria is a south-facing village beach, sheltered by its bay, lifeguarded in summer, with a Hippocampe chair, ideal for swimming, kayaking, shore fishing and island life.
LighthousePen Men LighthouseÎle de Groix · 45 minutes to 1 h 30 with the headland and the heathland.The great lighthouse of western Groix, 27.60 m tall, first lit in 1839, with a white light of four flashes and an official range of 30 nautical miles.
LighthousePointe des Chats LighthouseÎle de Groix · 45 minutes to 1 h 30 with the point and the path.A 15.22 m lighthouse-house built in 1897 and 1898 in the south-east of Groix, with a light visible up to 19 miles, guarding a coast of dangerous shoals.
Pen-Men and the wild coast
To the west, the Pen-Men lighthouse overlooks a coast of cliffs and heathland where seabirds nest. Along the south coast, the Trou de l’Enfer is a chasm the sea rushes into on days with a swell.
The geological reserve
The François Le Bail nature reserve protects rocks unique in Europe, sparkling with garnets and blue glaucophane. Collecting stones is forbidden: look at them, do not take them away.
Outings and visits
- ActivityGroix : initiation à l’apnée et à la plongéeGroix · 4 hoursA half-day introduction to freediving and scuba diving on the island of Groix, to discover the underwater world.See prices and bookPartner link GetYourGuide
- ActivityGroix : randonnée palmée et plongée sous-marineGroix · 4 hoursHalf a day of snorkelling or scuba diving off Groix, to explore the Atlantic seabed, suitable for everyone.See prices and bookPartner link GetYourGuide
Where to stay on Groix
Stay in Groix
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