Archipel des 7 IlesIt’s 9am when we board an Armor Navigation speedboat. The weather is perfect for a trip out to sea. The crew gives us a warm welcome and safety briefing, then we leave the docks of Perros-Guirec for the archipelago, 7 km out to sea.
Fous de Bassans de l'Archipel des 7 Iles
Bandeau MacareuxThe sun outlines a series of rocky islets: Rouzic, Malban, Bono, l’île aux Moines, l’île Plate, les Costans and les Cerfs. The guide explains that the Sept-Îles archipelago is the largest ornithological reserve in France. No fewer than 27 species of nesting birds can be found here, including 12 species of seabird, representing over 24,500 pairs.
The archipelago has been classified as a protected natural site since 1912 by the Ligue de Protection des Oiseaux, and as a Nature Reserve since 1976 by the French Ministry of the Environment. Closer to the islands, we head for Rouzic Island for an immersion in the kingdom of birds.
Archipel des 7 Iles
Fous de Bassan - Archipel des 7 Îles
Archipel des 7 Iles
Macareux 2Imagine thousands of gannets, hundreds of puffins, crested cormorants, razorbills, common guillemots, northern fulmars, great black-backed gulls, herring gulls and brown gulls… in flight and in the hollows of the rocks. Attentive to the excellent ornithological comments of the guide, who directs our gaze to the observation of the different species, the children are filled with wonder. Grey seals are also present, swimming or basking on the rocks. Some thirty specimens are thought to have made this nature reserve their home.
Continuing our tour of the neighboring islands, and since we’ve opted for the stopover option, we dock on Île aux Moines, with its distinctive lighthouse and Vauban fort. This was the perfect opportunity to stretch our legs and take a walk to the lighthouse. To the delight of children, this island is a rabbit’s paradise, with rabbits running all over the place!
We board the launch again for the return trip to the coast. 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), is also at the stop, offering guided outings with a professional from the station.
On the way back, we sail 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.
We’ll treasure our unforgettable memories of this fun outing to discover the paradise of “our feathered friends”.
Don’t wait for departures to fill up, reserve your tickets at the tourist office (no phone reservations). You’ll benefit from queue-cutting tickets allowing you to board without having to wait to buy your tickets on the spot.
