Grande plage de Houat, Sandy beach on Île-d'Houat, France
The Grande Plage de Houat is a wide sandy shore on the island's eastern coast, stretching for several kilometers with clear shallow water perfect for swimming. It sits between the old harbor and the headland at En Tal, forming the main seaside area of the community.
Since the 18th century, the island was built around fishing, and the old harbor here became the lifeline of the community. The shore itself served as a natural mooring ground where boats and daily maritime work kept the settlement alive.
Fishing remains woven into island life, and along this shore you see boats and nets that reflect how people here have always depended on the sea for their livelihood.
The beach is reachable by walking paths from the village center, with clear coastal trails marked along the way. Swimming is most pleasant at high tide when the beach feels wider and the water calmer.
At low tide, a natural sandbar links this shore to the nearby islet of Er Yoc'h, creating a walkable passage that vanishes when water returns. This temporary path adds an element of surprise to visits, as the geography itself shifts with the tides.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
