HOEDIC’S CHARACTER AND LOCATION
Hoëdic is Houat’s even more remote neighbour, sitting ever so prettily in the colourful Breton seas that surround it. It lies roughly an hour’s boat ride south from the Quiberon Peninsula.
Getting here and around the island
La Compagnie Océane
BP 1 - 56360 Le Palais
Tél. 0820 056 156 (n° Indigo)
www.compagnie-oceane.fr
Crossing takes 1h10 from Quiberon (with stopover at Houat). Book in advance.
Others connections in season from Vannes, Locmariaquer, Port-Navalo, La Turballe, Le Croisic.
Accommodation
We only get around by foot!
For sailors
In the port of Argol : Anchorages
Toilets, water and electricity
Hoëdic is another gorgeous, peaceful little island undisturbed by cars. There are however, two ports for yachts to moor, the recent Port-Argol on the north side, where the ferry arrives, and the older, more fragile Port-Croix on the rockier south side. Most of the glorious, unspoilt beaches lie along the northern and eastern shores.
Living on Hoëdic has always been demanding. Nowadays, the population is very small outside the main tourist season, just topping 100. A few islanders still live from fishing. Some 80% of the houses, however, are second homes now, so the place really comes to life in high summer. Otherwise, the rest of the year, it provides a haven away from the world.
This wonderfully isolated spot has, though, been fought over by competing armies in times past, as attested by the remnants of forts. The finest one, built in the mid-19th century, never actually served, so it remained in a good state. Now, it has been converted into a visitor centre, where you can find information on Hoëdic’s flora and fauna. This proves helpful when you walk the magical coastal path around the island. In addition, there’s group accommodation in the fort, supplementing the possibilities at the one hotel and the campsite. Inland, spot the odd old calvary cross, and thefairly numerous neolithic remnants. As to the village, set up between the two ports, it’s a gentle place to wander round and the islanders have a great reputation for friendliness.
BRITISH CONNECTIONS WITH HOEDIC
Les Cardinaux is the name attached to two islets southeast of Hoëdic, one marked by a towering lighthouse. It’s also the name the French give to one of their navy’s most terrible defeats of all time, known in British history as the Battle of Quiberon Bay. The action took place in 1759, during the Seven Years War. This was a conflict between Britain and France over control of hugely lucrative colonies. The French military had even hatched a plot to invade the British Isles and was gathering its navy’s ships out to sea. The British, though, scuppered the plan. Admiral Hawke was in charge of the British fleet that caused the destruction of a fair proportion of the French ships in these waters. This action seriously hampered the French navy’s capabilities and contributed to France losing many of its colonies to the British.
To document
Visit the gallery
Download documentation
