The bay is roughly triangular in shape, open to the south with the Gulf of Morbihan to the north-east and the narrow peninsula of Presqu'île de Quiberon providing protection from the Atlantic Ocean to the west.

The battle was a turning point in the Seven Years' War which foiled a planned invasion of Britain and broke the power of the French Navy for a generation.

On 23 June 1795, the bay was the scene of an invasion by émigré, counter-revolutionary troops in support of the Chouannerie and Vendée Revolt.

[2] On 30 July 1998, Proteus Airlines Flight 706, a Beechcraft 1900 bound for Lorient, France, collided with a Cessna 177 while making a detour to overfly the SS Norway as it was sailing in the bay.

The area has since become a tourist destination popular for yachting, with marinas at Port Haliguen, Le Crouesty and La Trinité-sur-Mer.