Belle Île, Island in Brittany, France
Belle Île is an island off the coast of Brittany measuring about 17 kilometers long and 9 kilometers wide, shaped by steep cliffs on the southwest side and gentle sandy beaches on the northeast. Four small towns spread across the island, with Le Palais serving as the main settlement with a fortified citadel and Sauzon offering a sheltered harbor for boats.
The territory served as a stronghold for the Veneti tribe during Roman times and passed temporarily into British hands after an 18th-century war before returning to France in 1763. Fortifications were expanded during the 16th and 17th centuries to secure the strategic position off the Breton coast.
The name means beautiful island and describes a landscape marked by lighthouses, fishing harbors, and white houses along the coast. Fishermen and sailors share the sheltered bays while hikers follow marked paths that lead past small chapels and roadside crosses.
Ferries depart regularly from several ports in Brittany and arrive at Le Palais or Sauzon depending on weather and season. Walking trails follow the coastline and cross the interior, with sturdy footwear recommended due to rocky sections in some areas.
French painter Claude Monet visited the island in the late 19th century and produced several paintings capturing the rock formations and changing light over the sea. His work helped bring the coastal landscape to wider attention beyond France.
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