France is full of charming islands, between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. Corsica still tops the list, while Belle-Île-en-Mer is Brittany in its own right. Elsewhere, Porquerolles, Oléron, Île d'Yeu and Ré 'la blanche', to name but a few, all offer great options. Here's an overview.
1. Corsica, an island of many beauties
The most beautiful island in France? It's always subjective, but Corsica deserves a place in this ranking. A little jewel in the Mediterranean between the sea and the mountains, the Isle of Beauty offers a breathtaking setting for anyone wishing to venture there, from the must-sees of Haute-Corse to those of Corse-du-Sud. With its 25 rivers, 120 peaks covered in snow until spring, Laricio pine forests, mountain lakes, scrubland, canyons, vineyards and beautiful beaches, Corsica is a life-size geography book. Start your day with your feet in the water, then take the little paths or wine routes, climb the mountains, and finish on a terrace in a typical village... It's an island of many beauties!
To sum up: if you want to enjoy the sun almost all year round on a legendary island, head for Corsica!
2. Belle-Île-en-Mer, a concentrate of Brittany and one of the most beautiful islands to visit in France
Belle-Île-en-Mer is the largest of the Ponant islands (83 km²), 14 km off the coast of Quiberon. It has all the landscapes you'd expect: fertile fields, arid moorland, cliffs and the jagged coastline of the Atlantic seaboard, with the famous Port-Coton needles, the first of our must-sees, the astonishing Apothicairerie cave and its beaches of fine golden sand. The mild climate is home to fig, laurel, mimosa, palm and camellia trees. It's hardly surprising that some of the world's greatest names have come here to caress it with their words, their paintbrushes and their music. Prévert, Claude Monet, Courbet, Matisse, Vasarely, Flaubert, Proust, Derain, Colette, Sarah Bernhardt... have all drawn on its beauty for inspiration and reverie on one of France's most beautiful islands.
In short: if you're dreaming of a taste of Brittany, what could be better than Belle-Île-en-Mer?
Also worth reading: What to do and see in Morbihan and its Gulf? Top 11 most beautiful spots
3. Porquerolles, happiness and idleness in the south
Facing the Var coastline, Porquerolles is the largest of the Hyères islands, with a host of unmissable activities. A veritable Mediterranean jewel, it boasts contrasting landscapes that are best explored outside the summer months, when the calm reveals all its beauty. The north coast charms with its long sandy beaches, protected by pine forests and garrigues planted with broom, heather, myrtle and arbutus. The wilder south coast boasts steep cliffs and secret coves. And the village of Porquerolles has retained the soul of a hamlet around the Place d'Armes. From May to September, the island, one of the most beautiful in France, also comes alive with a rich programme of festivities!
To sum up: under the Var sun, Porquerolles is the perfect place to relax.
4. The island of Oléron, for a cycling getaway
The second-largest island in mainland France after Corsica, theIle d'Oléron attracts holidaymakers every summer in search of fine sandy beaches, bike rides and unspoilt landscapes between forests and marshes. Its gentle terrain, unmissable sights and numerous cycle paths make it a paradise for families. At the entrance, Saint-Trojan-les-Bains charms with its Belle-Époque villas and seaside atmosphere. Further north, the colourful port of La Cotinière invites you to take a stroll before reaching the Chassiron lighthouse, the island's iconic landmark. To the east, the Château d'Oléron and its citadel fortified by Vauban stand alongside Boyardville, opposite the famous fort, and the oyster route dotted with oyster huts.
To sum up: if you want to cycle between sea and marsh before taking a refreshing dip, the island of Oléron is perfect.
5. The island of Bréhat, a unique atmosphere
Ile-de-Bréhat, one of our must-see islands in the Côtes-d'Armor, nestles in the heart of the pink rocks and deep waters of the English Channel. Just ten minutes by boat from the Pointe de l'Arcouest, this island community is 3.5 km long and 1.5 km wide, and has two faces. To the south, thanks to a mild microclimate, you'll find walled gardens, flower-filled lanes, low houses, villas and manor houses surrounded by pink granite. Connected by an eighteenth-century bridge, the north island offers a wilder setting, reminiscent of Ireland, with its moors, jagged coastline and secluded coves. All around, a myriad of islets live to the rhythm of the tides. Spring is the ideal time to explore Bréhat, revealing the unique atmosphere that inspired famous artists and painters such as Matisse and Gauguin. A must-see!
To sum up: if you're looking for a timeless atmosphere, Bréhat is the place to be.
6. Ile d'Yeu, a nature break and one of the most beautiful islands to visit in France
Off the coast of the Vendée, theisland of Yeu, formerly known as "Insula Oya", is well worth a visit for its unmissable sights. Accessible only by boat, it has managed to preserve its authenticity thanks to limited car traffic: here, cycling and walking are king. Its contrasting landscapes are a delight, with steep cliffs, beaches, dunes and pine forests, from the Pointe du But to the Pointe des Corbeaux. You'll also discover a remarkable heritage, including the old feudal castle, a sentinel of the past. The picturesque port of La Meule, the pointe de La Tranche, Saint-Sauveur - the heart of the island - and Port-Joinville punctuate the exploration. There, the traveller awaits the return boat, rich in memories and already tempted by a new visit to one of France's most beautiful islands.
To sum up: if you're looking for a breath of fresh air in the Vendée, there's nothing better than a trip to Yeu Island!
7. Île de Ré, charming villages between land and sea
Nicknamed "Ré la blanche" for its houses with immaculate facades, theIle de Ré stretches for 30 km off the coast of La Rochelle, linked to the mainland by its bridge. In summer, its population explodes with the influx of tourists, seduced by its ten picturesque villages, beaches, vast cycle paths and must-see sights. The region has been awarded the "Pays d'art et d'histoire" label for its unspoilt countryside, with dunes, salt marshes, vineyards, market gardens and pine and holm oak forests, rich in flora and birds. From the top of the Phare des Baleines (Whale lighthouse), the view takes in the ocean after 250 steps. Surfing, windsurfing, thalassotherapy, hiking, fishing, visits to oyster beds and tastings of Pineau, Cognac or seafood are all part of the holiday. Ré is windy and flat, making it ideal for cycling, a symbol of its eco-friendly spirit. But its elitist nature sometimes limits access to low budgets.
To sum up: if you want to enjoy picturesque landscapes and a wide range of activities, the island of Ré is the perfect destination.
8. The island of Groix, a rich natural heritage
In Morbihan, 5.5 km from the mainland, theisland of Groix has always lived to the rhythm of the sea and is one of the most beautiful islands to visit in France. At the beginning of the 20th century, there were more than 300 boats fishing for albacore tuna and, between 1930 and 1950, no fewer than five canning factories boosted the island's economy. Today, only Groix et Nature continues this tradition. But the island's main attraction is its rich natural heritage : the Grands Sables beach, Europe's rare convex beach, and the Pointe des Chats reserve are magnificent examples. Every August, the FIFIG (Festival International du Film Insulaire) also reinforces the island's identity.
All in all, it's a great way to get away from it all on a typically Breton piece of land.
9. Noirmoutier, a Vendée getaway
To the north of Noirmoutier, the centre of the island boasts narrow streets, old buildings and a historic atmosphere. Designated a "Petite Cité de Caractère" (small town of character), it boasts a wealth of shops and heritage around a channel bustling with fishermen and yachtsmen. Discover the former seigniorial salorge, now a cultural centre, the Jacobsen and Lebreton des Grapillères hotels, and above all the 11th-century château next to Saint-Philbert church.The Banzeau district, one of the oldest, is a mix of hollyhocks and white houses with colourful shutters. From the port, the Jacobsen jetty is a 7km walk offering superb views of the salt marshes and the Müllembourg bird sanctuary. Further on, the Bois de la Chaise reveals its elegant residences before the Plage des Dames and the village of Le Vieil. At the far end of the island is the port of L'Herbaudière, a favourite with local yachtsmen.
To sum up: for an authentic, natural and seaside excursion, you need to pass through the legendary Passage du Gois on your way to Noirmoutier.
10. The island of Batz, an authentic little island
Among the Ponant islands, theisland of Batz, less famous than its neighbours in Finistère, has managed to preserve its authenticity. Situated opposite Roscoff, it is one of the most beautiful islands in France to visit, with a charm all its own thanks to its agricultural character and the vitality of its fishing industry, still practised by a few sailors. Today, tourism is playing an increasingly important role, attracted by its microclimate and abundant vegetation. The island can be circumnavigated in four hours, allowing you to discover its coves and varied landscapes. Its history is marked by the settlement of the Landevennec monks in 945, who developed the salt marshes and salt trade, bringing wealth and religious influence, as witnessed by the Notre-Dame-du-Mûrier chapel and the church of Saint-Guénolé. Heir to this past, Batz is also a seaside resort, with beaches and coastal paths.
In short: if you want to land on a small, authentic and natural island, Batz is perfect.
Also read: What to do and see in Finistère? The 21 must-sees
