Cycling on Île-d'Houat is a matter of course. As soon as you leave the boat, the light becomes whiter, the air more iodized, and the village lanes invite you to hop on a bike. Renting a bike on Houat means choosing a gentle pace to explore an island just a few kilometers long, with almost no cars, where you can stop and take in the colors of the whitewashed walls, blue shutters and hollyhocks that tickle your handlebars.

Head for the practicable footpaths: between low moorland and golden gorse, you'll reach immense beaches of fine sand, including the almost unreal arc of Treac'h er Goured. Put the bike down, barefoot in the clear water, and head for a more intimate cove, a high spot to watch the swell, or the busy port as the fishermen return. The island can be covered in just a few hours, but it's a great place for a day's strolling: a picnic sheltered from the wind, a notebook full of little addresses, a nap on the edge of the dunes (if you stay on the paths, the dune is fragile).

Simple tips for relaxed cycling: take water, a windbreaker and sun cream with you; stick to signposted itineraries and put your foot down in pedestrian zones. Renting a bike on Île-d'Houat gives you the freedom to improvise: a detour, a swim, a smile at the next bend. Brittany as we like it, as close to nature as possible.