The islands of Finistère
Ile de Sein, Ouessant, Molène, Batz and the Glénan Isles : the islands of Finistère are a paradise for visitors seeking the sea, a wild coastline and places steeped in authenticity. Wonderful places to visit with a partner, friends or all the family !
Sein, Molène
Ile de Sein
Let’s start with the smallest, the Ile de Sein, renowned for its response to the call to action of June 1940. Take a day trip to this tiny piece of land and walk from the village to Goulenez lighthouse facing the Raz de Sein. The sandy beach is an ideal picnic spot unless you prefer the heathland. Continue exploring the island on foot, stopping at artists’ studios here and there to admire their works.
Ile de Batz
Further north, opposite Roscoff, lies the slightly larger Ile de Batz, with its tropical plants collected by Georges Delaselle for his garden, which are reminiscent of the oueds and oases of Morocco. Take a bike ride around the island, still a centre for farming, which offers visitors an exceptionally warm welcome. It is an ideal place for water sports especially sea kayaking and dinghy sailing between the rocks between Roscoff and the island.
Ile de Molène
Molène tries in vain to keep a low profile, but is well worth a visit to admire the diversity of its wildlife along the coastal footpath. Here you are within the Parc Naturel Marin d’Iroise and the Parc Naturel d’Armorique, right at the heart of nature, and with the wind as an added bonus. Molène is one of the Îles du Ponant, a string of 9 small islands and 9 islets, a marvellous area for sailing enthusiasts. The Musée du Drummond Castle is a museum devoted the courage shown by the islanders in the face of raging seas for which they were thanked by Queen Victoria. The island is home to many seals, just like the coast of Scotland. Visitors are welcomed simply and without fuss. A little further out to sea lies the island of Ouessant (Ushant).
The Glénan Isles, Ushant
The Glénan Isles
The Glénan Isles are a world apart. You could be forgiven for thinking you are among islands of the Indian or Pacific Ocean, but no, you really are in Finistère. An absolute gem, well preserved up to now (and must continue to be) the Glénans are a great place spend a day. Diving, sailing, kayaking and relaxing are on the agenda. To stay overnight you need a boat to sleep on.
Ile d’Ouessant (Ushant)
The well-known island of Ouessant is much bigger and you need to stay a week. The evenings spent in local bars are…amazingly traditional. It is a good idea to have a bike to get from one side of the island to the other via the main village of Lampaul. Bikes can be hired near the ferry terminus, at the bottom of the steep hill – a good way to get those legs moving ! Watch the indigenous small black sheep grazing, then taste local saltmarsh lamb hotpot ! The Musée des Phares et Balises is a museum devoted to lighthouses and beacons, a wonderful place for children. There are lots of lighthouses at Ouessant so I’ll only mention one here, Créach lighthouse, the most powerful lighthouse in the world.
« What I love about the islands of Finistère is to spend one or more nights and watch the last boat leave for the mainland, so I can make believe I’m a real islander ! »
To get to the islands is rather a long swim so it’s best to go by boat ! You can’t miss them as there is nothing beyond them. Penn Ar Bed – the end of the world !"
