Poulains Lighthouse and the Apothecary’s House from Sauzon

Set off from the lovely port of Sauzon and follow the coastal path to the picture-postcard Phare des Poulains, then, via the bird sanctuary, to the Grotte de l’Apothicaire.
Stunning scenery all along the coastal path.

Details

4047304
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.31 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 177 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 176 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 36 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start and finish at the Sauzon harbour car park.

Yellow markings

(S/E) Walk along the quays northwards then head up to Pointe du Cardinal.

(1) Continue westwards to reach the small beach at Porh Puce, then on to Bordery.
The path then climbs towards a headland; turn right for a round trip and descend 200 m to Deuborth beach.
The terrain is now less rugged. Note the blue hydrangeas at the edge of a private property.

(2) Then cross the Penhoët cove and head for Pointe des Poulains.

(3) Turn off towards Île des Poulains, which is accessible at low tide.

(4) Return to the previous junction.

(3) Then take the D25 for about 400 m. The path continues to the right towards the wild coast, passing near Fort Sarah Bernard. Walk alongside the golf course and, after passing the Puits de Baguen-Hir, you’ll discover the view offered by the coves of Stêr-Vraz and Ster Ouen.

(5) Then head down towards Ster-Vraz Beach. Cross the beach and, as soon as you leave it, take the steep path on the right.

(6) Then follow the seafront to the Vieux Château peninsula.

(7) Then walk along the particularly jagged cliff face to the Grotte de l'Apothicairerie.
The return to Sauzon is via the inland route. Head east towards the car park.

(8) Take the D30 to the junction with the D25.

(9) Continue straight ahead on the D30, Route de l'Apothicairerie, towards Sauzon. Pass the school complex and arrive at the T-junction.

(10) Turn left onto Rue de l'Amiral Willaumez, then take the second street on the right, Rue du Lieutenant Riou, and pass by Sauzon church.

(11) At the seaside, turn left and follow the quays to reach Sauzon harbour (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 4 m - Port of Sauzon
  2. 1 : km 0.98 - alt. 30 m - Pointe du Cardinal
  3. 2 : km 3.53 - alt. 19 m - Pernhoët Cove
  4. 3 : km 4.62 - alt. 19 m - Pointe des Poulains
  5. 4 : km 5.13 - alt. 22 m - Île des Poulains
  6. 5 : km 7.9 - alt. 26 m - Descent towards Stêr-Vraz
  7. 6 : km 8.57 - alt. 5 m - Steep path on the right
  8. 7 : km 9.57 - alt. 27 m - Vieux Château Peninsula.
  9. 8 : km 10.76 - alt. 35 m - Apothicairerie car park
  10. 9 : km 13 - alt. 34 m - Junction D30 - D25
  11. 10 : km 13.68 - alt. 35 m - Rue de l'Amiral Willaumez
  12. 11 : km 14.04 - alt. 5 m - Seaside junction
  13. S/E : km 14.31 - alt. 4 m - Port of Sauzon

Notes

Wear sturdy walking shoes. There are significant changes in elevation between the various coves.
No water sources.

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
camo29
camo29

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We’ve just walked four sections of the Belle-Île coastal path (though we didn’t complete the full circuit) in windy but sunny conditions. It’s all absolutely stunning, and the southern part is more rugged and wild than the north.
As it was the start of the school holidays, we were able to catch buses to all our hike starting points and back, except for one time when we had to hitchhike!
This section, which we’d saved for last thinking we’d be well-trained by then , is actually the easiest... with few climbs or steep sections. The arrival at Le Poulain is truly spectacular; we didn’t go into the Sarah Bernardt centre, but it’s nice to see her house(s), then back towards L’Apothicairerie… where there’s nothing left to see, which is a bit disappointing. We hitchhiked back.

Machine-translated

lolo69
lolo69

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant route along the coast, though the return journey on a tarmac road is less so.

Machine-translated

cricaille35
cricaille35

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A superb walk along the coast, but the return journey by road wasn’t pleasant
This island is magical and the colours in June are simply breathtaking, both at sea level and amongst the flowers!
Not too crowded, except at the Poulains lighthouse

Machine-translated

Pascal C56
Pascal C56

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The charm of Belle-Île! It’s magnificent.
An easy-to-follow, well-signposted coastal route. Not difficult on this part of the island.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.