The Most Beautiful Islands Just Off the Coast of France

Just off the western coast is the picturesque island of Île de Ré, connected to La Rochelle by a bridge. The port town of Saint-Martin-de-Ré is particularly charming. Cafes line the harbour – sit with a café au lait and watch the world go past. At sunset the houses are bathed in golden light. The island is a natural paradise with a clutch of unspoilt beaches to visit – hire a bike and cycle your way around. The beauty of this island is that, because it is connected to mainland France, you can come and go as you please, and even make La Rochelle your base.

Head to the south coast of France, in the direction of Italy rather than Spain, and you’ll discover a little slice of paradise. Île de Porquerolles lies only 10 minutes by boat from mainland France (travel from Toulon or Tour Fondue), but feels like the Caribbean. Plage Notre-Dame, in particular, boasts turquoise waters and pine-tree-flanked sand dunes. The best way to explore is by bike, and there are numerous campsites and other accommodation options available. Make sure to book well in advance as it gets very busy in high season.

Situated off Brittany’s Côtes-d’Armor, Île de Bréhat is a Breton delight. This car-free island is technically an archipelago of two main islands and many smaller ones. It boasts its own microclimate, so you’ll see unlikely Mediterranean vegetation sitting alongside the usual northern European plants. To explore the island, hire or bring a bike, or simply go by foot. There are a few campsites and accommodation options, but mostly this pretty island tends to be a destination for day-trippers.

This island in Brittany, whose name aptly translates to “beautiful island”, is a must-visit. Not only did its coastline inspire Claude Monet, but it’s small enough to explore over a weekend. Stroll past the quaint cafes and boutique shops in Le Palais, the capital, where the boat from mainland France docks. Its daily market is well worth a visit – make sure you try a slice of Brittany cake. Venture to the opposite side of the island to see Les Aiguilles de Port-Coton, a series of impressive sea stacks once painted by Monet, before heading north to the delightful village port of Sauzon.

Port Cros is something really special. It’s the smallest, wildest island of the group of islands called the Îles d’Hyères (of which Île de Porquerolles is also one). While there are facilities when you first dock in the port area, the rest of the island is free from development. This means unrivalled hiking trails and gorgeous views. Travelling by boat? Grab your snorkel and dive into the crystalline waters – as a dedicated marine park, there are plenty of fish to see here.

Île-d’Aix is a tiny island south of La Rochelle in the Charente-Maritime, with incredible 360-degree views of the 19th-century sea fort of Fort Boyard, just to the southwest. It’s known as the “little Corsica of the Atlantic”, which captures this peaceful, slow-paced island perfectly. You’ll not spot a vehicle here, just locals and visitors enjoying the unspoilt views, pathways and watering holes. For such a tiny island, it houses many museums – the must-sees are the Napoleon Museum and Fort Liédot.