Region guide
What to do in the Gulf of Morbihan
The Île aux Moines, the Île d’Arz, the Gavrinis cairn, Port-Navalo, Locmariaquer, Vannes and Suscinio: the guide to visiting the Gulf of Morbihan, its islands and its shores.
7 min read
The Gulf of Morbihan is a small inland sea, opening onto the ocean through a narrow channel between Locmariaquer and Port-Navalo. It has around forty islands, only two of which are municipalities: the Île aux Moines and the Île d’Arz.
The Île aux Moines and the Île d’Arz
The Île aux Moines is a few minutes by boat from Port-Blanc, in Baden. Its paths lead to flower filled houses, beaches and a stone circle. The wilder Île d’Arz is reached from Conleau, near Vannes. Both can be explored on foot or by bike.
The Gavrinis cairn
On its islet, reached from Larmor-Baden, this stone tomb holds one of the finest engraved decorations of prehistory: almost every slab in the passage is carved. Visits are guided, with booking, in the summer season.
Gavrinis is part of the megaliths of Carnac and the shores of Morbihan, UNESCO World Heritage listed in July 2025, as is the Locmariaquer site and its great broken menhir.
The shores of the Gulf
ViewpointPointe de KerpenhirLocmariaquer · 45 minutes to 1 h 30.A spectacular headland marking the western entrance to the Gulf of Morbihan, facing Port-Navalo, with powerful currents, the statue of Notre-Dame de Kerdro and views as far as Houat, Belle-Île and Méaban.
ViewpointPort-NavaloArzon · 30 minutes to 1 h 30.An iconic viewpoint at the entrance to the Gulf of Morbihan, facing the currents, the islands and the boat traffic between the Gulf and the bay of Quiberon.
ViewpointCairn du Petit MontArzon · 45 minutes to 1 h 30, depending on the time spent on the monument and the view.A remarkable high point on the Rhuys peninsula, combining megaliths and a view over the ocean, the Gulf of Morbihan and the islands.
LighthousePort-Navalo LighthouseArzon · 30 minutes to 1 h 30 with the walk.A 21 m lighthouse at the entrance to the Gulf of Morbihan, in its current form since the late 19th century, with a sector light visible for 14.4 miles.
Natural siteRéserve naturelle des marais de SénéSéné · 2 hours per trail, half a day for bothAt the far end of the Gulf of Morbihan, 530 hectares of former salt pans, mudflats and meadows where avocets, spoonbills and stilts live. Covered hides, and a free trail open all year.
Vannes, Auray and Suscinio
At the far end of the Gulf, Vannes has its ramparts and harbour. Auray keeps the harbour of Saint-Goustan and its half timbered houses. On the Rhuys peninsula, the Château de Suscinio, the summer residence of the Dukes of Brittany, rises on the edge of the marshes.
Towns and castles
Heritage siteVannes walled townVannes · Half a dayA walled town in Morbihan that keeps nearly a kilometre of ramparts, five of its seven gates and two thousand years of continuous urban history.
VillageSaint-Goustan, port d’AurayAuray · 2 hours to half a day, longer with the historic centre of Auray, a cruise or a meal on the harbourBelow the old town of Auray, Saint-Goustan unfolds its quays, its stone bridge, its half-timbered houses and cobbled lanes around one of the most photogenic harbours in Morbihan.
CastleSuscinio CastleSarzeau · 2 to 3 hoursBetween marshes and ocean, Suscinio was one of the great residences of the Dukes of Brittany; restored, it now combines a medieval castle, immersive displays and a natural estate.
VillageSaint-CadoBelz · 1 to 2 hours on site, half a day with Belz, Port Niscop or ÉtelLinked to Belz by a little stone bridge, Saint-Cado brings together fishermen’s houses, a Romanesque chapel, a calvary and one of the most famous postcards in Morbihan: the Nichtarguer house with its blue shutters.
The Gulf by boat
The simplest option is a cruise from Vannes, Port-Navalo or Locmariaquer, with a stop on an island. Kayaking and sailing are also possible, but the currents in the channel are among the strongest in Europe: go with an instructor.
Cruises and outings
- ActivityArzon, Port-Navalo : croisière brunch en catamaranArzon · 3 hoursThree hours on a catamaran from Port-Navalo, in Arzon, at brunch time: brunch box, oysters or aperitif boards on board.See prices and bookPartner link GetYourGuide
- ActivityBaden : exploration du golfe du Morbihan en catamaranBaden · 3 hoursThree hours of catamaran sailing from Port-Blanc, in Baden, among the islands of the Gulf of Morbihan, with several routes to choose from.See prices and bookPartner link GetYourGuide
- ActivityVannes : découverte du street art avec un artisteVannes · 2 h 30A 2 h 30 street art tour in Vannes, led by Maks, of the association L’Art prend la Rue, artistic director of Vannes et sa Street.See prices and bookPartner link GetYourGuide
- ActivityVannes : balade guidée avec séance photo professionnelleVannes · 2 hoursA 2-hour guided walk through Vannes with a professional photo shoot by Mizaru Vision, solo, as a couple or with family.See prices and bookPartner link GetYourGuide
Where to stay in the Gulf of Morbihan
Stay in Golfe du Morbihan
Places to stay that are still available, with current prices, compared across the main booking platforms.
Partner link: a booking made from this map may earn us a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Going further
Morbihan, in the journal
- What to do in Morbihan during the Christmas holidays
- What to do in Vannes during the Christmas holidays
- What to do in Lorient during the Christmas holidays
- What to do in Morbihan during the All Saints’ holidays
- What to do in Vannes during the All Saints’ holidays
- What to do in Lorient during the All Saints’ holidays
- What to do in Vannes: the complete guide
- What to do in Carnac: the complete guide
Our other region guides
- What to do on the Crozon peninsula
- What to do on the Pink Granite Coast
- What to do on the Emerald Coast
- What to do on the Quiberon peninsula
- What to do on the Guérande peninsula
- What to do in the forest of Brocéliande
- What to do in Cap Sizun and at the Pointe du Raz
- What to do in the Bay of Morlaix and Roscoff
- What to do in the Pays Bigouden
- What to do in the Pays des Abers and on the Côte des Légendes