Our journey at sea continues on this ornithological tour, as we slowly approach Rouzic Island, a genuine marine nature park (which is why it’s nicknamed the kingdom of birds!). Impressive cliffs rise up before us, revealing the rocky heights where thousands of seabirds nest. Our guide draws our attention to the different species and stresses the importance of preserving these fragile habitats.
Rouzic, gannets’ kingdom
Imagine a spectacular view from the sea: welcome to Rouzic Island, a veritable nature park in the heart of the water. Here, marine life reigns supreme! In this nature reserve, the steep rocky heights are home to thousands of gannets. The skies are dotted with the incessant ballet of puffins, crested cormorants, razorbills, common guillemots, northern fulmars, herring gulls, great black-backed gulls and brown gulls. Who could have imagined so much life on the open sea?
Grey seals are also part of our walk! They emerge at the surface, or let themselves be lulled by the lapping of the water as they lie on the rocks. Some thirty of these marine specimens have made their home here, in this protected environment. This exceptional passage through the Sept-Îles archipelago will remain a suspended moment of our vacations in Brittany!
A stopover on Île aux Moines
Continuing our sea tour around the Sept-Îles archipelago, we set course for another emblematic island. Thanks to our stopover package, we’ll be docking on Île aux Moines, recognizable on approach thanks to its emblematic lighthouse and the remains of a Vauban fort.
The stopover is ideal for a family outdoor activity: we follow a small coastal path, perfect for a gentle hike, between rocks, heather and breathtaking sea views. The route takes you up to the lighthouse, the highest point on the island, where the panoramic view over the islets of the 7-island archipelago is breathtaking.
But what delights the children most is the bucolic atmosphere of this little park: here, rabbits live freely, popping up at every bend in the path or between two granite blocks. They run around everywhere, to the delight of the youngest, who marvel at this unexpected colony!
Encounter with dolphins
We take our places aboard the speedboat for the return trip to the coast. At sea, we are lucky enough to come across a school of dolphins, and the boat’s captain slows down to let us enjoy this magical moment. Another boat, belonging to the Ligue de Protection des Oiseaux (League for the Protection of Birds), also offers guided tours with a professional guide!
Geological discovery of the Pink Granite Coast
On the way back, we cruise along the Côte de Granit Rose, listening to the guide’s geological and historical explanations. This discovery of the coast and its colors from the sea offers us a unique and grandiose landscape before returning to our starting point and ending the excursion.
