Batz, an island of flavours
Batz is an island of flavours, lulled by the gentle Gulf Stream. Under its microclimate, cauliflowers, carrots, shallots and early potatoes with a seasalt tang grow in this large-scale vegetable plot surrounded by the ocean. Nearby, the Georges-Delaselle botanical garden shelters cacti, palms, Canary date palms and Maori trees.
Ouessant, standing guard
As you sail through Fromveur Passage, the high cliffs remind you of the power of the elements. Lighthouses mark out the contours of the island, which stands guard at the very edge of the world! Ouessant has a wild coastline that can be explored on foot and from which you can admire the most incredible sunsets. Ornithologists will tell you that this is one of the best places to see migratory birds, and it’s also home to the black bee.
Molène, kelp traditions
At low tide in fine weather, the sea here looks like a lagoon, in all its shades of green and blue. In the harbour, fishing boats and pleasure craft rub shoulders with the ‘Scooby Doo’ boats that come from the mainland to gather seaweed in the largest kelp field in the world!
Sein, the unforgettable
The boat trip to Sein, running parallel to the Pointe du Raz, will cast its spell before you even arrive. Once on the island, you’ll realise why there are no cars – the streets are so narrow! In the huddles of small, colourful cottages, stories are told of sailors and fishermen, of rescues and shipwrecks. The waters around the island, watched over by the famous Ar Men lighthouse, still have a legendary status with sailors even now.
The Glénan, a tropical illusion
If you saw the Glénan Archipelago from the air, you’d think that these tiny islands, white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters were in a tropical land. As well as being a paradise for birds, the delicate Glénan Narcissus flower grows here like nowhere else on earth. The Archipelago is a meeting place for all water sports enthusiasts, and every year, nearly 15,000 students train here at Europe’s largest sailing school!
Jewels to preserve
A trip to any of the islands of Finistère gives you an insight into island life and the daily experience of the men and women who live and work there all year round, providing so many services for holidaymakers. It feels as if all the sensations, views and seascapes are magnified out of proportion – and that’s also true of the environmental footprint you can leave behind. On these islands, we realise that nature is a blessing and that we need to preserve it so that we can keep enjoying it!
