Crique des Armels

A hidden cove between two beaches

Crique des Armels slips in between Plage de Ramonet and Fort Ramonet, in the town of Le Palais on Belle-Île. This isn't a beach you stumble upon by chance: you have to take a dead-end lane, then a fairly steep staircase with a damaged handrail, to reach the sand.

This tricky access largely explains why the spot has stayed so under the radar. Some visitors turn back halfway, while others see it as the very guarantee of a quiet corner, far from the family beaches nearby.

Two coves, a rock in the middle

Once you're down, the cove splits into two small beaches separated by a rocky outcrop. The sand there is mostly firm, which makes walking easier but gives it a different feel from Belle-Île's usual fine sandy beaches.

Each section is small, which naturally limits how many people can settle in comfortably. Depending on the time of day, one cove or the other catches more sun, which leads some to switch sides as the tide moves.

Unofficial naturism, no legal status

Nudity has been practiced here for a long time, without any official status. It's precisely the low-key nature of the place, reinforced by how hard it is to reach, that has turned this cove into an informal meeting point for naturists passing through.

You'll find couples, occasional naturists and sometimes families here, in an atmosphere that's calm rather than festive. Exploring the cove, especially to reach the other side by walking along the rocks, is best done at low tide.

Parking and getting organized

There are two parking options nearby: a free car park and a paid one, both a few minutes' walk from the access lane. Better bring proper shoes for the staircase, especially with young kids or beach gear in tow.

Every account you hear about this cove makes the same point: the peace and quiet more than makes up for the effort of the climb down. The firm sand, often seen as a downside elsewhere, becomes an asset here, letting you walk without sinking in, between the two coves split by the central rock.