There are numerous islands around the coast of France that you can explore as you tour the country, with the most popular to be found around Brittany, along the coast of Charente-Maritime and along the coast of the Mediterranean.
Note: here we are visiting the small islands around the coast of France only: we have a separate section for Corsica, the beautiful island in the Mediterranean to the south of Nice, and we do not include the DOM-TOM islands such as La Réunion, Guadelope and Martinique
Belle Ile (Morbihan)
Belle-Ile is the largest of the Brittany islands and has lovely coastline and pretty villages to enjoy exploring
See Belle Ile guideIle aux Moines (Morbihan)
In the Morbihan Gulf, the Ile-aux-Moines is also very easy to reach - very enjoyable to spend a day exploring but you might not be on your own!
See Ile aux Moines guideIle Brehat (Cotes-d'Armor)
The views and landscapes of the small island of Ile-Bréhat can be explored on foot or by bike; a lovely escape from the crowds
See Ile Brehat guideIle d'Oleron (Charente-Maritime)
It is usually the beaches that attract visitors to Ile d'Oleron, but allow time to explore the towns as well!
See Ile d'Oleron guideIle d'Yeu (Vendee)
Explore the Ile d'Yeu on foot or by bike to see scenic coastline, beaches and a medieval castle
See Ile d'Yeu guideIle de Groix (Morbihan)
With a popular beach, lovely traditional cottages and scenic villages the Ile-de-Groix is one of our favourite Brittany islands
See Ile de Groix guideIle de Houat (Morbihan)
We particularly recommend you walk the coast path around the small island of Ile-de-Houat
See Ile de Houat guideIle de Re (Charente-Maritime)
The Ile-de-Ré is an island with lots of sandy beaches and some attractive villages. Much loved by cycling families!
See Ile de Re guideIle Molene and Ouessant (Finistere)
The remote and barren landscapes of the Molene islands are fascinating and now a listed World Biosphere Reserve
See Ile Molene and Ouessant guideIle Saint-Honorat (Alpes-Maritimes)
The Ile Saint-Honorat, one of the Iles de Lerins south of Cannes, is best known for its abbey and fortress
See Ile Saint-Honorat guideIle Sainte-Marguerite (Alpes-Maritimes)
The Ile Sainte-Marguerite is one of the Iles de Lérins on the Cote d'Azur and has a large fort with views of Cannes
See Ile Sainte-Marguerite guideIle-d'Aix (Charente-Maritime)
Ile d'Aix is a small island, explored on foot or by bike, known for its association with Napoleon
See Ile-d'Aix guideIle-d'Arz (Morbihan)
The beaches and scenery along the coastal footpath combine to make the Ile d'Arz, in the Morbihan Gulf, very popular with visitors
See Ile-d'Arz guideIle-de-Batz (Finistere)
The Ile-de-Batz is one of the most popular Brittany islands, with a pretty harbour, beaches, semi-tropical gardens and scenic coastline to enjoy
See Ile-de-Batz guideIles d'Hyeres (Var)
The Iles de Hyeres, off the Riviera coast, are perhaps the most beautiful coastal islands anywhere in France
See Iles d'Hyeres guideIles de Lérins (Alpes-Maritimes)
The Iles de Lérins is a peaceful group of islands to the south of Cannes
See Iles de Lérins guideIles des Glenan (Finistere)
The uninhabited islands of the Glenan archipelago are now a popular nature reserve and diving centre
See Iles des Glenan guideIles-Sanguinaires (Corse-du-Sud)
The Iles-Sanguinaires and the Parata peninsula are a Grand Site of France west of Ajaccio
See Iles-Sanguinaires guideSee more tourist attractions in France