at the Pointe du Grouin

L’île des Landes refuge for seabirds

If there are magical places, then the Landes Island is one of them. Inaccessible since it is surrounded by the sea and protected, the “locals” nickname it “the island of birds”.This biological reserve created by the association Bretagne Vivante (also called Society for the study and protection of nature in Brittany) hosts the largest colony of seabirds in Brittany. Only the members of the association go there once a year to count the species. However, it is quite possible to observe them from the Pointe du Grouin, located only 600 meters away. During the summer, the association welcomes visitors to raise awareness about the different species of birds. And speaking of birds, which species can be observed? The great cormorant is the most emblematic bird of the place. It shares the cliffs of the Ile des Landes with its cousin the crested cormorant or with tadorns of Belon, oystercatchers and herring gulls. Other specimens, even more marvelous, regularly pass between the point and the island of birds. Schools of bottlenose dolphins majestically emerge from the water for a moment and roam the bay. You wouldn’t believe it, but it is common between Cancale and Saint-Malo!