Getting around the Îles du Ponant: car, bike or on foot?
Most of the Îles du Ponant are best explored without a car. Here is, island by island, what you can bring aboard and how to get around once there.
In short
- Only Belle-Île and Groix carry visitors' cars — everywhere else is effectively car-free.
- Most islands take bikes aboard (except Sein, the Glénan and Chausey).
- On the spot: walking, cycling, and local shuttles or rentals.
Cars: only two islands allow them
The Îles du Ponant are, first and foremost, car-free havens. Out of the fifteen islands, only Belle-Île-en-Mer and Île de Groix carry visitors' vehicles aboard the ferries, both operated by Compagnie Océane. On every other island, cars simply are not transported — and in many cases private traffic is restricted or banned outright (Bréhat, Aix and Sein are entirely car-free).
Even on Belle-Île and Groix, most visitors leave the car on the mainland: parking at the departure port is cheaper than the vehicle fare (around €190–200 return), and both islands are easy to explore by bike or bus.
Car and bike, island by island
| Island | Car aboard | Bike aboard | Getting around |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belle-Île-en-Mer | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Bike, bus, taxi, car |
| Île de Groix | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Bike, some cars |
| Ouessant | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Bike, shuttle, on foot |
| Molène | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | On foot (small island) |
| Île de Sein | ❌ No | ❌ No | On foot (car-free) |
| Île de Batz | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Bike, on foot |
| Île de Bréhat | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | On foot, bike (no cars) |
| Île de Houat | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | On foot |
| Île de Hoëdic | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | On foot |
| Archipel des Glénan | ❌ No | ❌ No | On foot (islet) |
| Île aux Moines | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Bike, on foot, shuttle |
| Île d'Arz | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Bike, on foot |
| Île d'Yeu | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Bike above all, rentals |
| Îles Chausey | ❌ No | ❌ No | On foot |
| Île d'Aix | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | On foot, bike, horse cart (car-free) |
Based on Cobaturage's route data. Rules can change: always confirm with the company before travelling.
Getting around without a car
- On foot — the small islands (Sein, Molène, Houat, Hoëdic, the Glénan, Chausey) are crossed in a single walk.
- By bike — the go-to option on Yeu, Groix, Ouessant, Batz, Île aux Moines and Belle-Île. Bring your own or hire one at the harbour.
- Local shuttles and buses — Belle-Île has a bus network; several islands run seasonal minibuses.
- Rentals — bikes, e-bikes, scooters and small electric buggies are available near most landing stages.
Bringing a bike aboard
Most companies carry bikes for a small extra fare (roughly €4 to €30 return). Spaces are limited, so book your bike with your ticket in high season. On Sein, the Glénan and Chausey, bikes are not carried — but you won't need one.
Good to know
Taking a vehicle to Belle-Île or Groix in July–August requires booking several weeks ahead. If you only stay a day or two, leaving the car on the mainland is usually simpler and cheaper.
Check each island's page for the companies that serve it and their bike and vehicle policies, or browse all ferry companies.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take your car to Belle-Île?
Yes. Belle-Île-en-Mer is one of only two Îles du Ponant where you can bring your car, via Compagnie Océane from Quiberon. Booking the vehicle is essential, especially in summer when spaces sell out weeks ahead. On most other islands, visitors' cars are not carried.
On which islands are cars banned or impossible to bring?
The vast majority of the islands are explored without a car: Ouessant, Sein, Molène, Batz, Bréhat, Houat, Hoëdic, Île aux Moines, Île d'Arz, Yeu, Chausey and Aix. Only Belle-Île and Groix carry visitors' vehicles on the ferries.
How do you get around once on the island?
On foot on the smaller islands, by bike (your own brought aboard or hired locally) on the larger ones, and sometimes via local shuttles or buses as on Belle-Île. Most islands offer bike, e-bike or small-buggy rentals near the landing stage.
Do you need to book to bring a bike aboard?
It is strongly advised in high season: the number of bikes per crossing is limited. The bike fare generally ranges from €4 to €30 return depending on the company.