Harbour

Sauzon

Maximum length: 15 m
VHF channel: 9
Maximum draught: 2 m

Drying harbour on the north-west coast of Belle-Île-en-Mer, at the mouth of a narrow ria opening onto the Quiberon bay.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Approach from the NE between Pointe du Cardinal and Pointe du Vieux Château, leaving the Les Poulains reef well to the north. Entrance channel marked by green and red beacons. Harbour dries at low water, access roughly from HW minus 2h to HW plus 2h for a 1.5 m draught. VHF 9.

Practical

About 450 moorings on fore-and-aft trots inside the ria, plus a visitors pontoon near the lighthouse. Water and electricity on the pontoon. Fuel at Le Palais, 3.1 NM to the SE. Bakery, grocery, fishmonger and several restaurants on the quay.

Ashore

GR 340 coastal path leaves the harbour in both directions, reaching the Pointe des Poulains and its Sarah Bernhardt fort in 4 km to the NW. Plage de Donnant, a surf beach, lies 3 km to the west across the heath. Daily shuttle bus to Le Palais, the main town of the island.

History

Former tuna fishing port active from the 19th century, Sauzon kept its colourful houses lined along the ria after the fishery declined in the 1950s. The Pointe des Poulains lighthouse, built in 1868, guards the western approach.