The Glénan, the Breton paradise
The island of Penfret is one of the islands of the Glénan archipelago. For those who do not know the area, the Glénan is the Tahiti of Brittany, the Seychelles of Finistère. A small corner of paradise located about ten miles from Concarneau. Seen from the sky - but also from the sea - islands and islets with white sand "float" in a turquoise sea (yes, turquoise in Brittany!) which is certainly cold enough (it's still Brittany!).
The setting is idyllic, sumptuous and soothing, when dozens (or even hundreds) of boaters leave the island at sunset. The advantage of Penfret - compared to Saint-Nicolas, the main island of the archipelago - is that it is only accessible by pleasure boat. Ideal to avoid the crowd.
Penfret, main base of the Glénans sailing school
Well, that's not quite true since it hosts the main base of certainly one of the most famous sailing clubs, the Glénans (with an S!). Thus, regularly, the Odet launches make their way between the anchored boats to pour onto the long white sandy beach a lot of trainees eager to practice the numerous nautical activities offered by the school. It is on Penfret that the trainees stay in tents, but that the school's nerve center is also located (instructor's PC, boat repairs, infirmary, telephone, etc.).
The sailing school has owned almost the entire island since 1952 and has rented the semaphore since 1964. After the restoration of the farm in the early 1950s, the school built some buildings between 1955 and 1965. The island is supplied with electricity mainly through solar panels.
Accessible to boaters only
We exaggerate a little, in spite of the frequentation, it is always a real pleasure to enjoy the sumptuous landscape. To go to Penfret, you will go by sea, by sail or by motor, by renting or by embarking on a friend's boat.
You will recognize Penfret by its white and red lighthouse, at the northern end of the island of Penfret, renovated by the association Plein Phare sur Penfret, whose president is none other than the legendary Jean Le Cam, skipper of the Vendée Globe (to name but one). Built in 1838, it was automated in 1992.
The 2nd island of the Glénan archipelago
Penfret is the second largest island of the archipelago with a surface area of 39 hectares, just after that of Le Loc'h, which belongs to the Bolloré family and measures 54 hectares. It is located at the North-East end of the archipelago, itself attached to the commune of Fouesnant, in Finistère.
A wild island
Apart from the sailing school, which has set up its quarters there, the island is rather wild. The west coast has large white sandy beaches bordering the transparent water. The east coast is wilder, but there are nevertheless two small, rather quiet beaches. If the boats at anchor prefer the west side - the side of the islands - the other side facing the coast may be less populated. It all depends on the wind.
Penfret is also the island of gulls. Everywhere on the rocky coast, they watch over the protected fauna and flora. Because the site is classified Natura 2000. Fishing is limited to coastal fishing (for spider lovers). Birds live there in large numbers and the species are numerous: oystercatchers, terns, cormorants, etc.
To come back to the gulls, if you venture in the rocks, be careful not to approach them too closely, especially during the nesting period. Mothers watch over their young and do not hesitate to run over you to defend their territory with their beaks.
What to do in Penfret ?
Enjoy the joys of anchoring! You can disembark to enjoy the beautiful beaches or walk around the island, and push to the lighthouse in the north and the semaphore in the south. Dive, the sea bed is rich! Huge sea grass beds cover in some places the (shallow) bottoms bordering the island to the east.
Paddle, swim, sunbathe, collect tiny shells and go in search of purple sea urchins... In short, relax and enjoy the Breton Caribbean landscapes that are reserved for a privileged few.
If you stay overnight, please follow the 0 waste policy. The island is fragile so don't throw anything back into the sea, if possible.
Photo credits: Chloé Torterat
