Gavin May report June 2024
Currently no water on the pontoons and that did not seem a surprise to locals.
Marked by two green cardinals there is a gravel bank just outside the north end of the island near the pontoons. It is of course well marked on the charts but do note that the bank does extend well beyond those cardinals at low water and there may even be a small unofficial bouy about 50 metres outside the cardinals perhaps marking safer water. Anyway, don’t cut in close at half tide!
Both pontoons are for visitors, but depths at the far end of V2 may drop to 1.6m (estimated), so take care turning there, or berthing there in low tides. The free taxi RIBs run by the Capitanerie, do have quite an area of buoys to cover, as well as Port Blanc, so be a little patient- they will be along. When we were here, there seemed a fair bit of travel out of Port Blanc first thing in the mornings and it was a good 15 minutes before a pick-up from the pontoons. If using your own tender, park it in the small space inside where the HM rib parks up. Personally, I wouldn’t try rowing if the tide is underway!
Owning a boat, calm anchorage, fine weather- almost anywhere seems special but nowhere competes with the Morbihan in north/western France. Forget the fuel bill – cancel the kids’ inheritance if necessary- but come here!
This island in the middle of the Morbihan, is the largest of about 60 other mini-islands. The only other inhabited larger island nearby is called Ile d’Arz. At Ile aux Moines there are two long pontoons with electrics and water anchored in around 2m minimum about 150m off Le Port. The harbourmaster operates a rib service on demand either ashore or across to Port Blanc. At springs the tide can run up to 5 knots through these pontoons and up to 8 knots through the nearby main channel near Les Rechauds cardinal marks.
With limited berthing for dinghies at the port and for safety and convenience, we go ashore using the harbourmaster’s rib service. Biking around the island is a great way to see it and there several bike-hire shops near the Capitainerie.
Ashore at this pretty ‘bijou port is’ the Capitainerie, Office de Tourisme and several cafes. The port is usually remarkably busy with ferries bringing people from the mainland (often referred to by the locals as ‘Le Continent’) and tourist boats operating from Vannes – mainly taking sight-seeing tourists around the Morbihan.
Walking into ‘town’ (in reality a small village) reveals the basic amenities and a small daily market in the square. A good boulangerie is only 100m from the square and several good restaurants nearby, but either book ahead or be flexible over the time you get offered a table in season. Walking or biking on Ile aux Moines is great fun (but it’s not flat!). We always enjoy visiting Ile aux Moines, whatever the weather.
Nick Fletcher kindly provided the above report