Bréhat is sometimes nicknamed “the island of flowers”. Aloe, which usually borders the Mediterranean, tropical palm trees, eucalyptus, jasmine, fig trees, agaves native to Central America, camellias and hydrangeas from China… In spring, the southern part of the Bréhat Island, located in Côtes-d’Armor, is indeed an explosion of colors.
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Plants from the ends of the world
For what ? The explanation lies in the history of the island. If the inhabitants of Bréhat were fishermen, they above all provided a large number of long-distance sailors. Commercial sailors, like the Cape Horn captains who went to sea for months, but also soldiers. Many Bréhatins thus became admirals or captains of ships. From their expeditions to the ends of the world, these men brought back plants which became acclimatized on the island. It must be said that, in its southern part, the winds are gentle and the frosts are rare. During this time, the women who remained on the island cultivated a plot of land and raised a few animals.
Victim of his own success
Very early on, Bréhat benefited from a beautiful image, which attracted a number of personalities. Writers and painters set foot there from the end of the 19th centurye century. The Belle Vue hotel was built in 1904 to accommodate these first tourists. To name just a few: Prosper Mérimée, Pierre Loti, the Goncourt brothers, Colette, Marc Chagall…
As cars are not allowed, the island is a haven of peace where it is particularly pleasant to stroll through the streets, admiring the beautiful residences that line them. Bréhat, a bit of a victim of its success in recent years and wishing to preserve its quality of life, has now introduced quotas to limit the number of visitors in high season. A pioneering decision to combat overtourism, which has sparked quite a few reactions in Brittany and beyond…
