BELLE-ILE-EN-MER, an island off the west coast of France, department of Morbihan, 8m. S. by W. of the peninsula of Quiberon. Pop. (1931) 6,o63. Area, 33sq.m. The island has four communes, Le Palais, Bangor, Sauzon and Locmaria. It forms a treeless plateau with an average height of I 3of t. above sea-level, largely covered with moors and bordered by a rugged and broken coast. The climate is mild, the fig-tree and myrtle growing in sheltered spots and the soil, where cultivated, is productive. Numerous megalithic monuments suggest its importance (together with the adjoining mainland) as a centre of coastwise intercourse in the early days of metal. It was known to the Romans as Vindilis, corrupted in the middle ages to Guedel. In 1572 the abbey of Ste. Croix at Quimperle ceded the island to the Retz family, and it became a marquisate in the following year. Subse quently it passed to the family of Fouquet, and finally to the Crown in 1718. It was held by English troops from 1761 to 1763 when the French got it in exchange for Nova Scotia. A few of the inhabitants of the latter territory migrated to Belle-Ile, which is partly peopled by their descendants. The town of Le Palais (pop. [1926] 1,825) has an old citadel and fortifications and possesses a port which is accessible to small vessels. The inhabi tants, who have declined in numbers, engage in agriculture and fisheries, and in the preservation of sardines, anchovies, etc. The island breed of draught horses was highly prized.