Sentier de grande randonnée 340, sentier de grande randonnée en France
The GR340 is a long-distance trail that circles the coast of Belle-Île-en-Mer, a Breton island, covering about 85 kilometers (53 miles) around its perimeter. The path passes by high cliffs, sandy beaches, fishing ports, and small villages, with the landscape constantly shifting between rugged rocky headlands and sheltered coves.
Belle-Île held strategic importance in French military history, with fortifications including the citadel at Le Palais designed by Vauban in the 17th century. These defensive structures were built to protect the island from invasion and to control maritime trade in the surrounding waters.
The trail carries an old legend about fairy queens whose tears created the islands of Brittany after they were banished from an enchanted forest. This story remains woven into daily life on Belle-Île, giving the landscape a sense of magic that visitors encounter throughout their walk.
Wear sturdy footwear and prepare for changing weather, as the coast is highly exposed to wind and fog can roll in quickly. There are no public toilets or drinking fountains along the trail, so carry enough water, food, and a bag for your trash to bring back to town.
A rare crustacean called pouce-pied clings to the wave-battered rocks along the path, and only certain coastlines between Belle-Île and Galicia in Spain provide its habitat. The artist Mathurin Méheut was captivated by this odd creature and painted it repeatedly, making it a subject in local art history.
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