Anchorage

Île aux moines

Shelter: NW, W, SW, S
Seabed: mud
Anchoring: Allowed

Anchorage off the Île aux Moines in the Golfe du Morbihan, mud bottom, sheltered from the westerly quadrant.

Beach

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Enter the Golfe du Morbihan through the Port-Navalo pass, watching the tidal stream that runs up to 8 knots on springs. Work up the main channel north of the island and anchor off the village in 3 to 6 m on mud, holding good. The current sets boats about, so allow for the swing; the visitor buoys take light craft only, and keelboats anchor just south of the field. Land at the northern slipway to keep clear of the oyster beds. Port-Blanc lies 0.7 nm W, Arradon 0.7 nm N.

Practical

Visitor mooring buoys laid by the commune in season off the main village. Water tap at the slipway, showers and laundry at the harbour. Bakery, supermarket and restaurants in the village within 300 m of the landing. Passenger ferry Izenah Croisières links Port-Blanc every 10 minutes.

Ashore

Coastal footpath loops around the island for 18 km past the Pointe du Trec'h, the dolmen of Penhap and the cromlech of Kergonan, one of the largest neolithic stone circles in Brittany. La Cabane oyster shack by the shore sells fresh gulf oysters to eat in or take away. Village church of Saint-Michel at the centre of the island, 500 m from the landing. Bicycle hire at the pier.

History

The island takes its name from a 9th century Benedictine monastic grant from King Erispoë of Brittany. The Kergonan cromlech and the Penhap dolmen date from the 4th millennium BC and predate the Carnac alignments.

Story

The island is known among Morbihan sailors as a rare wintering spot where mimosas flower as early as February, a consequence of the mild micro-climate of the inner gulf.