The Glénan Islands | rivierabretonne

The Glénan archipelago a jewel off the coast of Finistère

Around fifteen kilometres off the south coast of Finistère, the Glénan archipelago unfurls its islands, islets and reefs in the heart of a lagoon with a tropical feel. Crystal-clear water, white sand, dazzling light… This picture-postcard setting owes its beauty to the clear granite seabed and the presence of maerl, a calcareous seaweed that contributes to the purity of the waters.

But the Glénan is more than just an idyllic image. It’s a living, fragile and fascinating territory, rich in history and biodiversity.

A string of islands to discover

There are around twenty main islands, although the exact number varies according to tides and definitions. Among the best known are Penfret, Saint-Nicolas, Le Loc’h, Drenec, Bananec, l’île aux Moutons and Cigogne.

Sailing in the archipelago requires vigilance: there are many reefs and the passes are sometimes narrow. The tombolo of Bananec, a thin spit of sand linking Saint-Nicolas to Bananec, is a remarkable phenomenon. As for “La Chambre”, between Saint-Nicolas and Fort Cigogne, it is a popular anchorage for its calm and beauty.

Did you know?

We say“les Glénan” in the plural for the sailing school, but“l’archipel des Glénan” without an “s” for the geographical location.

An ancient and eventful history

The Glénan Islands have been inhabited since Neolithic times, as evidenced by megalithic remains. In Gallo-Roman times, marine resources were already being exploited, notably to produce a purple dye from shellfish.

Over the centuries, the islands were the haunt of pirates, fishing grounds and even industrial centres, with a soda factory on Le Loc’h in the 19th century. Fort Cigogne, built in 1756, was intended to secure the area. Its name is said to come from seiz kogn, “seven corners” in Breton, evoking the shape of the rocky promontory.

Other interesting anecdotes include the purchase of the archipelago by Nicolas Fouquet in 1658, and a local legend recounting the presence of a witch, Groac’h, on the island of Loc’h.

A paradise… with no permanent inhabitants

Today, nobody lives on the islands all year round. But there is still life!

Les Glénans sailing school, founded in 1947, trains generations of sailors here every summer.
There’s also sea kayaking, diving and fishing.
However, camping and bivouacking are prohibited, to preserve the tranquillity of the area.

Unique biodiversity

The archipelago is home to exceptional flora and fauna, both on land and at sea.

On the island of Saint-Nicolas grows the narcissus des Glénan, a small endemic flower protected by a National Nature Reserve.
It’s also a mecca for birds: 140 species are regularly spotted here, including the particularly vulnerable Ring-necked Plover.
Underwater, you’ll find eelgrass beds, underwater dunes, kelp forests and even coral! These environments are home to up to 500 animal species.
And if you’re lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of grey seals, dolphins and even the basking shark, a peaceful giant that is nationally endangered.

A fragile site to preserve

The Glénan ecosystems are sensitive to human pressure, both at sea (anchors, pollution, waste) and on land (trampling, disturbance, harvesting).

Protection measures are in place:

Natura 2000, classified site, Conservatoire du littoral, Espaces Naturels Sensibles, Réserve Naturelle Nationale, etc.
Management is carried out by a range of players: State services, associations, local authorities (including the Pays Fouesnantais Community of Communes), all committed to sustainable management.
The island of Saint-Nicolas is an open-air laboratory, with, for example, the production of green electricity and the installation of ecological moorings. A project to extend the nature reserve has even been launched for 2022, to better reconcile reception and protection.