In the past (up until the end of the XIXth century), the island of Groix was divided into two tribes. To the East was Primiture (early land), the land of the rising sun where wrack was cultivated. In Piwisi, the west, the land was rich and prosperous. In Primiture, open-mindedness was the name of the game, but in Piwisi, the mood was more reserved and the character much wilder. This distinction has been diluted by the passing of time and today, only a few expressions or mocking words are left of it.

There were already inhabitants on Groix right back in Mesolithic times, ten thousand years before our era and then the first traces of Neolithic civilisation on the island can be seen with the megaliths. Later on, Christianity put in an appearance and in the VIIth century, according to legend, the Irishman, Tudy, crossed the sea on a menhir (standing stone) and died on the island.

It wasn't until the XIVth century that there was a start to the maritime trade and fishing on Groix. Colbert's India Company attracted peasant workers from the four corners of the kingdom. Spices, tea, lacquer, silks, fabrics, and porcelain from the "Indias" all transited through the port of the (L') Orient, giving Groix, which sheltered it, a certain strategic importance.

The island of Groix was at the high point of its fame at the same time as fish canning became industrialized, making it France's leading tuna port. In 1900, out of 268 Breton tuna workers, 198 came from Groix and in 1911, a quarter of the population i.e. 1,600 people, made their living from tuna. Thirty years later however, the activity was not to survive the arrival of steam trawler fishing.

Tourist office
tourisme.groix@free.fr
Hotels
Port Tudy
Le Ty Mad** Fax L'Escale** Fax La Jetée** Fax Auberge du pêcheur Fax	33 2 97 86 80 19 33 2 97 86 50 79 33 2 97 86 80 04 33 2 97 86 86 01 33 2 97 86 80 82 33 2 97 86 56 11 33 2 97 86 56 92 33 2 97 86 50 04
Le Bourg
La Marine** Fax Le Moulin d'or Fax	33 2 97 86 80 05 33 2 97 86 56 37 33 2 97 86 82 16 33 2 97 86 86 00
Seasonal rentals
A list of furnished accommodation, bed & breakfast and rooms in private houses is available at the tourist office : 33 2 97 86 53 08.
Campsites
Port Coustic
Camping des Sables rouges*** Fax	33 2 97 86 81 32 33 2 99 64 13 14 33 2 97 86 59 17
Le Mené
Municipal campsite In season	33 2 97 86 53 08 33 2 97 86 81 13
Youth hostel Fax	33 2 97 86 81 38 33 2 97 86 52 43
Collective accommodation
Port Tudy
La Goëletterie Gîte d'étapes (hostel)	33 2 97 86 89 87 33 2 97 33 68 24
Le Mené
Youth hostel Fax	33 2 97 86 81 38 33 2 97 86 52 43
Les Grands Sables
Villages de Vacances Familles Fax	33 2 97 86 86 79 33 2 97 86 56 62
Group accommodation
Hiking
25 km of coastal paths reserved for hikers and 30 km of small roads for cyclists. IGN map 0720 and 1/25 000. Information: Tourist office (33 2 97 86 53 08).
Nature discovery
"François Le Bail" nature reserve: 47 ha (117.5 acres) of land open to the public. Visit the geological, botanical and ornithological reserve on foot. Maison de la réserve (nature reserve house in the village) 33 2 97 86 55 97
Heritage
Ecomusée (Living museum), La Mémoire de l'île	33 2 97 86 84 60
Cycle, scooter and car hire
Coconut's Martin Loca-Loisirs	33 2 97 86 81 57 33 2 97 86 84 17 33 2 97 86 80 03
Taxis
Tonnerre Lanco Quintin	33 2 97 86 81 62 33 2 97 86 80 65 33 2 97 86 50 44
Coaches
Lanco transports	33 2 97 86 80 65
Marina
Harbour master's office	33 2 97 86 54 62
Fishing at sea
Fishing school Sea outings on board the Kenavo Sea trips and fishing trips	33 2 97 86 84 17 33 2 97 86 84 60 33 2 97 65 52 52
On the island of Groix, you will also find plenty of shops, restaurants, a cash dispenser, night clubs, pubs, cafés, concerts, cinema, doctors, chemists, nurses, physiotherapists, dentist and vet.
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