An area between nature, culture and unspoilt landscapes
The rias de l'Aven et du Bélon are distinguished first and foremost by the rich natural heritage With its jagged relief, wooded banks, lively foreshore and changing light throughout the day.
They also tell the story of a unique cultural and maritime history, This was a time of fishing, oyster farming, stone quarries and the passage of the tall ships that used to sail up these inlets.
Finally, the rias offer remarkably unspoilt landscapes The scenery is harmonious, with discreet châteaux, family homes, fishing ports and picturesque villages all waiting to be discovered as you cruise along.
Fauna and flora of the rias : biodiversity to watch
The Aven and Bélon rivers are home to the flora and fauna typical of Atlantic estuaries, which are particularly visible from the boat. On the banks, the mixed woods, flower-filled embankments and gardens that run down to the water offer a palette of greens and colours that change with the seasons. In spring, rhododendrons, gorse and other flowers brighten up the banks, while summer brings out the soft shadows of the valleys.
On the foreshore and mudflats, a multitude of birds find refuge: grey herons, egrets, cormorants, terns and waders come to feed according to the tides. As you sail along, you'll also become aware of the underwater life: the oyster beds of Bélon, sandy-muddy seabeds, rocky areas and sea grass beds are all part of this fragile ecosystem. On every trip, you'll catch a new detail: a flock of birds, a bunch of flowers on a bank, the light on a pine or maritime oak wood.
Traditions, villages and maritime heritage
The Aven ria is closely linked to the town of Pont-Aven, the famous city of painters where Paul Gauguin and many other artists set up their easels. Travelling up or down the Aven is like returning to the landscapes that inspired their paintings: mills, footbridges, quays, granite houses and wooded valleys. Further downstream, small ports such as Kerdruc and Rosbraz bear witness to a long history of maritime activity, from coastal shipping to stone quarrying and inshore fishing.
The Bélon ria is inextricably linked with oyster farming. This is where the famous Bélon flat and hollow oyster beds were developed, and are still in use today. The port of Bélon, shared between Moëlan-sur-Mer and Riec-sur-Bélon, remains a lively port, with its caseyeurs, fileyeurs and direct sales outlets. On both rias, castles, manor houses and grand residences can be seen from the water, sometimes hidden behind tall trees, sometimes proudly dominating a meander. Together, Aven and Bélon form a veritable open book on the maritime, rural and landscape history of Southern Brittany.
OUR FORMULAS
Come aboard and discover the rias :
choose your way of exploring
Discover the Aven and Bélon rias,
several excursion options are available to you,
departing from Pont-Aven or the Port du Bélon, with or without a walk.
From Pont-Aven
From the famous city of painters, you can take a speedboat down the Aven to reach the sea and the mouth of the Bélon. These guided cruises offer an overview of the ria, its harbours, castles and wooded valleys, with commentaries combining history, nature and local anecdotes.
From the Port du Bélon
As close to the estuary as possible, You'll embark on an authentic fishing port, surrounded by oyster beds and working boats. Summer tours allow you to climb back up to Aven or explore the ria du Bélon in detail, with its oyster beds and unspoilt seascapes.
Hikers' package
For those who wish to combine walking and sailing, There are also tours that allow you to make one trip by boat (Pont-Aven → Port-Manech or vice versa), then return on foot along the coastal paths. You'll discover the same landscapes from two complementary angles: from the water, then from the land.
Book your cruise now
Want to discover the rias Aven and Bélon?
Book your excursion now
or see details of our tours departing from
from Pont-Aven, the Port du Bélon or in backpacker formula
For groups