Gulf of Morbihan Boat Trip
The Gulf of Morbihan is a shallow, tide-sculpted inland sea dotted with over 40 islands, and the only proper way to experience it is by boat. Departing from Vannes's own port, day-trip ferries loop past the Île aux Moines, the Île d'Arz and megalithic standing stones that predate Stonehenge.
The Islands
The Île aux Moines is the largest island and the most visited, with a permanent village, mimosa-lined lanes and a genuinely mild microclimate that allows palm trees and camellias to thrive. Ferries from Port-Blanc (a 10-minute drive from Vannes) run every 15 minutes in summer and cost just a few euros — you can walk the entire island in under two hours.
The Île d'Arz is quieter and flatter, beloved by cyclists who bring their bikes on the ferry. The island has a Romanesque church, a tidal mill and a handful of crêperies that get very busy on summer weekends, so arrive early for lunch.
Megaliths & Birdlife
The Gulf is studded with Neolithic monuments, the most striking being the Er Lannic stone circles — two concentric rings of standing stones that sit right on the waterline and are partially submerged at high tide. You can see them clearly from passing boats, though landing is restricted to protect the site.
The gulf is also a major stopover for migratory birds, and the mudflats around the Île de Boëdic are a reliable spot for egrets, spoonbills and oystercatchers. Compagnie du Golfe and Navix both run narrated boat tours departing from the Gare Maritime in Vannes, with trips ranging from 1.5-hour cruises to full-day island-hopping itineraries.
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