7 Stunning French Islands Worth Adding to Your Travel List
Scattered along mainland France’s coast, these islands feel untouched – just boats, bikes, and sea air. Some are rugged and remote, others sunny and laid-back. What they have in common? They’re all worth the trip!
1. Ile d’Oléron (Charente-Maritime)
Île d’Oléron, off France’s Atlantic coast, is the country’s second-largest island after Corsica. It’s linked to the mainland by a toll-free bridge near Rochefort.
The island has long sandy beaches, pine forests, and oyster farms, especially around Marennes-Oléron, which is known for premium oysters.
Château d’Oléron has well-preserved citadel walls, and Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron is the main hub with shops and restaurants.
Popular for water sports, fishing, and hiking, the island also offers bike trails for exploring villages and marshlands. The working ports give it a relaxed, maritime feel year-round.
2. Belle-Île-en-Mer (Brittany)
Belle-Île, off the coast of Brittany, is the largest island in Brittany. It’s accessible by ferry from Quiberon (under an hour). The island has dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, and coastal trails.
Le Palais, the main town, features the 16th-century Citadel Vauban overlooking the harbor. Sauzon, a smaller port, is known for colorful houses and seafood restaurants.
Popular spots include the rocky Port-Coton Needles and the sheltered surf beach at Donnant. The island attracts hikers, cyclists, and artists, who are drawn by its landscapes and changing light.
3. Île-de-Bréhat (Brittany)
Île de Bréhat lies off the coast of Brittany, just a short ferry ride from Paimpol. It’s made up of two main islands connected by a stone bridge. Cars are banned, so visitors explore on foot or by bike.
The island benefits from mild weather, with lush gardens filled with hydrangeas and exotic plants. It’s also popular for its Pink granite rocks and tidal inlets. Landmarks include the Paon Lighthouse on the northern cliffs and Chapelle Saint-Michel with great views over the archipelago.
4. Porquerolles (Côte d’Azur)
Porquerolles is the largest of the Îles d’Hyères, off the southern coast of France. Ferries run from Toulon, Hyères, and La Londe, with crossings taking 20–30 minutes.
The island has sandy beaches, pine forests, and vineyards. It’s car-free, so visitors explore by bike or on foot.
Notre-Dame Beach and Plage d’Argent are popular for swimming. The village has a small square, a church, and shops. You can climb up to Fort Sainte-Agathe for views over the island and coast. The island is also known for hiking trails and snorkeling spots.
5. Île de Ré (Charente-Maritime)
Île de Ré is a small island off the west coast of France, connected to La Rochelle by a 3-kilometer bridge. It’s known for sandy beaches, salt marshes, and whitewashed villages with green shutters.
The main town, Saint-Martin-de-Ré, has a historic harbor and 17th-century fortifications designed by Vauban. Cycling is popular, with over 100 kilometers of bike paths cutting through vineyards and coastal trails.
The island’s salt production and oyster farms attract food lovers, while markets sell local produce and crafts. It’s a quiet escape, especially outside the summer season.
6. Noirmoutier (Vendée)
Noirmoutier, off the Atlantic coast, is connected to the mainland by a bridge and the Passage du Gois, a tidal causeway accessible at low tide. The island is known for salt marshes, sandy beaches, and pine forests.
The main town, Noirmoutier-en-l’Île, has a medieval castle and a historic church. Plage des Dames, with its wooden beach huts, is a popular spot.
Cycling paths and coastal trails make it easy to explore the island, where oyster farming and sea salt production are key industries.
7. Île d’Yeu (Vendée)
Île d’Yeu, off the Vendée coast, is reached by ferry from Fromentine or Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, with crossings taking 30–60 minutes. The island has rocky cliffs, sandy beaches, and coastal trails.
Port-Joinville, the main town, has a fishing harbor, markets, and cafés. Landmarks include the medieval Château de Pierre-Levée and the Old Castle ruins overlooking the sea.
Cycling is popular, with paths connecting villages, coves, and scenic viewpoints. Local life still revolves around fishing and seafood.