Considering whether you should visit the Glénan Islands with kids during your next holiday to Brittany? You would be crazy not to!
The Glénan Islands were the main reason that we decided to take a road trip around Brittany in the summer holidays. As soon as I read about the turquoise blue waters and white sandy beaches in this article written by Nell, at the Pigeon Pair and Me, I knew I had to experience a boat ride to the Glénan archipelago.
The Glénan Islands certainly didn’t disappoint. We truly felt like we were in the Caribbean…
The tourist board organised our boat trip with an experienced guide, Lulu for the last day of our two-week holiday. We met the lovely Lulu at the little dock of Beg Meil in Fouesnant.
Shortly afterwards we boarded our boat for the short one hour crossing over to the isle of Saint-Nicolas des Glénan, located just 16 km off the south coast of Finistère.
Lulu immediately made everyone onboard feel welcome and shared her passion for the region with stories of pirates and the rare plants and birds which live on the protected islands. We enjoyed a lovely calm crossing on an open-topped boat, chatting to other people onboard whilst taking photos of the stunning scenery.
When we arrived at Saint-Nicolas Lulu explained that the large island of 14 hectares is the only one of the Glénan Islands open to the public. It is home to Frances smallest nature reserve created to protect the Glénan Narcissus, a beautiful white flower that covers the island in the spring.
We stayed with Lulu and our group for a little while for the start of her guided tour around Saint-Nicolas.
When my boys began to pester to go for a swim we headed off on our own to experience the crystal clear waters. There simply could not have been a better place to enjoy the last day of our holiday in Brittany…
What to expect from a visit to Saint Nicholas
The facilities on Saint Nicholas are limited to just a couple of restaurants and ice cream stall overlooking the harbour, a few holiday apartments and the internationally renowned diving school and not-for-profit sailing school.
The Glénan islands don’t have mains electricity or water and Saint Nicholas only has very limited toilet facilities for day visitors. (Although our guide did point out that this is due to change for the next season, due to an investment by the local government). Due to the popularity of the island in the spring and summer months and the region being a resting place for rare birds and sea life, there is thankfully a strong commitment to conserving the area. We found many signs dotted around asking visitors to take litter home with them and visitors are encouraged to stay on the main wooden walk ways to prevent footpath erosion.
The highlight of the day for my boys was when three dolphins decided to put on a little show during our boat journey home… You’ll just have to believe me though I’m afraid as I wasn’t quick enough to get my camera out to capture the playful trio jumping over the waves!
Tips for visiting the Îles de Glénan / Glénan Islands with kids
* There are several boat operators who offer a service out to the Glénan Islands. Families with older children will thoroughly enjoy the guided tour by Lulu. They will be fascinated learning about how the islands flora and fauna are being protected and will enjoy a visit to the Cigogne fort, built in 1755 to drive away pirates from the islands. Families with younger kids like mine are most probably best booking a boat tour without guide to enjoy free time to explore the beaches and enjoy swimming.
* There is a wooden path around the entire island of Saint Nicholas making it easy to get around with kids in push chairs (see photo of my Dad pushing my youngest son above!) The crew were really helpful getting our push chair on and off the boat.
* The cafe/restaurant which we visited at the end of our day for an ice cream was incredibly busy and I was very pleased that we had taken a picnic. (Although the toilet facilities are limited at the moment this is going to improve for next season).
* Make sure you pack swimwear, towel, suncream and beach toys for visiting the Glénan Islands with kids. (I wish we had packed a wind shield too because at times it did feel a little nippy when the sun popped behind a cloud).
* If you intend to spend your visit bird watching and exploring the island, binoculars and walking shoes are a must.
* And last but certainly not least, you can only visit the Glénan islands during the spring and summer months and it is extremely popular so you must book in advance to avoid disappointment. The daily ferries operate from Loctudy, Bénodet, Concarneau and Beg-Meil.
Have you visited the Glénan Islands with kids? Please do pop your thoughts and tips below. We would love to hear about your experience.
Disclosure – We were invited as guests of Brittany Tourist Board to review the guided boat tour to Saint Nicholas as part of our two week road trip around Brittany. All words and opinions are, as always, my own.
Pin for later – Exploring the Glenan Islands with kids
Perfect mix of beach and not beach if you ask me, and so temptingly close!
I’m amazed by how beautiful and clear the water is. Also, I’m always happy to hear that efforts are being made to conserve the environment!
Have never heard of these islands, but I can definitely see why you would visit! You could mistake them for somewhere in the Caribbean. #MondayEscapes
The coastline looks so beautiful. I really admire them for going the extra mile for the conservation efforts. Though I’m glad the toilet situation will soon be better. #mondayescapes
I had never heard of these islands, but I can definitely see you wanted to visit! The water looks so inviting and I love that it doesn’t seem over run with tourists. Will have to remember this! #MondayEscapes
Are you and Nell in league to get us to revisit Brittany? You both make the Glenan Islands sound just perfect #MondayEscapes
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Ha ha yes Catherine! We should be on commission. Seriously though, we should just keep this little gem to ourselves, it is a simply stunning place!
I have wanted to go since I followed you trip there last year it looks just stunning x
Looks gorgeous and seeing dolphins is the icing on the cake!
Looks gorgeous and being able to see dolphins must be the icing on the cake!
Ah this looks like such a gorgeous spot – those waters! Lovely to hear they’re focusing on the conservation of the islands too though…
I find it so hard to believe that this is just a hop and a skip across the channel from us. I’ve not been to Brittany since I was a kid and this has me itching for a trip there. Just got to fit it in!
What a lovely place! France offers so many different experiences for locals and visitors alike…what an amazing country! #mondayescapes
Lovely to revisit this post as part of #MondayEscapes. Great shot of you all leaping into the air! I’ve been thinking about Glénan a lot these days. I’d really like to go back there some time.
wow I’ve never heard of these islands! I love hearing about new places. I’m def an island girl! Happy #MondayEscapes
You’re right, it does look like it would have that Caribbean feel. It looks absolutely stunning and the perfect place to spend some time during the summer. #MondayEscapes
Never heard of these islands, but looks nice! #mondayescapes
Brittany is an area of France that I’ve yet to explore – love the look of the boardwalks and beaches and that blue blue water! Putting on list for sure! Cheers from Copenhagen, Erin
It looks and sounds like a beautiful place. Such a shame you couldn’t get photos of those dolphins! ;)
#mondayescapes
It does look like the Caribbean! Can’t get over that white sand and clear water! Glénan Islands is now making it onto our travel bucket list x #MondayEscapes
You had me at that white sand! I had never heard of this island before reading your post. Now I can’t wait to go there! #MondayEscapes
Beautiful! I spent some time on the Brittany coast last summer, but I didn’t know about the Saint-Nicolas island. If I had, I would have made a day trip out of it.
#MondayEscapes
It’s funny, I’ve been to Fouesnant many times as we have 2 lots of good friends who have houses there but I’ve never been to the islands. Looks like I’ve really missed out and next time I’m over that way I’m going to make sure we go. You were so lucky with the weather, more often than not when we’ve been in the area we’ve been in fleeces on the beach, even in August!
What a beautiful looking place. France is somewhere I would like to explore more of This is definitely on my list #fearlessfamtrav
They look like the tropics! A nice thought as it is less than 1 degree as I type. #AllAboutFrance
I had never heard of these islands, but now I desperately want to go them them! They love incredible!
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They are stunning Lisa and fortunately they should continue to be so as the locals and tourist authorities seem very switched on in how to protect them;)
What a gorgeous little spot – I’d never heard of these Islands before but it looks like a lovely place to visit! x
Oh, this is bringing it all back! Thanks ever so much for mentioning my post. I’ll pop in a link to this one once I’m back from WTM, as I it adds something – I bet every person has a slightly different experience at Glenan. I’m glad you had sunshine, like us. Great to know they’re making the toilets better – that was one big downside when we visited!
So beautiful – it really does look like the Caribbean. And lovely to have Lulu to show you around and get all the insider secrets. Shall have to make a note for whenever we finally get there.
Wow, what a lovely place. The colours of the sand and sea are so inviting. Sounds like improved toilet facilities will be a welcome addition!