Stay in Houat

Prepare your tourist visit to the Island of Houat in Morbihan in Brittany. Here you will find all the information to have a pleasant stay on our beautiful island.

Discover the island of Houat

14 km off Quiberon, you have to sail for 40 minutes to deserve to land on this islet which is home to 250 inhabitants all year round, and even fewer trees! Here, stones, moors, wind and sea reign. Measuring just 4 km long by 1.5 km wide. The island of Houat is a true haven of peace: here, no car! In season, you can rent bicycles to go from one side to the other on the island. To explore the coastal paths, bring good shoes, as they are only accessible on foot.
Tout ici est authentique et pittoresque : le bourg, typique d’un village breton de bord de mer qui présente ses petites maisons blanches aux volets bleus, son église du milieu du XVIIIème siècle et ses superbes roses trémières en saison.

Following a footpath, the coast is breathtakingly beautiful. But because the sea is its primary resource and the inspiration for all its human activity, the island of Houat is the first to act for its protection and the defense of its biodiversity. In Houat, you only meet crazy lovers of nature and its riches, sincere friends of the oceans, beings turned towards a future more respectful of the environment…

Houat is divided into two parts: To the east, it is a huge beach of fine sand that awaits you, 2 km long, clear and turquoise water, ideal for relaxing. The landscapes of the south of the island are more cut out with its cliffs and coves which confirm the wild character of the island of Houat.

A bit of history

The island of Houat (from Breton: duck) and the island of Hoëdic form, with the many islets that surround them, the extension of the peninsula of Quiberon, witness to a continent that has now disappeared.

This explains why it was populated from the Neolithic period. There are also vestiges of megalithic and Gallo-Roman civilization. Legend has it that Saint-Gildas established his hermitage there in the 6th century. Later still, Houat and Hoëdic had to defend themselves from Dutch and English attacks. Both islands were occupied by England until 1763.

Former dependency of the commune of Palais de Belle Ile, Houat only became autonomous in 1893.

For a long time, the rector of Houat combined the functions of mayor, syndic of seafarers, customs agent, director of the post office, justice of the peace and tax collector. All the regulations in force on the island were brought together in a “Charter” made up of 32 articles and which defined the main duties of community life.

It was only on November 4, 1963 that electricity arrived in Houat, bringing comfort, television, openness to the outside world, but also the disappearance of vigils. This electrification partially solved the crucial problem of drinking water supply by creating a seawater desalination plant. However, water remains a rare and expensive commodity, so it should be saved.

 

HOUAT IN PICTURES