At a glance
Roscoff 37 km away, about 40 min
About 15 min by boat from Roscoff
A full day to make the most of it
Boat tickets; timetables vary with the season
Yes, easy walks on foot or by bike
Check with the boat operators and the sites
A quarter of an hour by boat from Roscoff, the Île de Batz is best explored on foot or by bike, between white sandy beaches, an exotic garden and a 44-metre lighthouse. An easy island escape, about 40 minutes’ drive from the Domaine.
A peaceful island facing Roscoff
The Île de Batz stretches out just opposite Roscoff, separated from it only by a narrow channel. The crossing takes just a quarter of an hour, but the change of pace is immediate: here, people get around mostly on foot or by bike, between vegetable fields, dry-stone walls, fishermen’s cottages and small white sandy beaches.
The island is inhabited all year round. It lives from fishing, farming and, in summer, from welcoming visitors who come to enjoy its mild climate. One day is enough to go round it and discover its main sights without rushing.
The lighthouse: 198 steps to a vast view
Built in 1836, the Île de Batz lighthouse rises to 44 metres. Its 198 steps take some effort, but the reward is worth it: a panorama over the whole island, Roscoff, the Léon coast and the reefs scattered across the sea. An exhibition set up at its base in 2018 tells the story of the lighthouse and its keepers.
The lighthouse is open in season, with opening times that vary through the year: check with the island’s tourist office before climbing.
The Georges Delaselle garden, a palm grove in Brittany
In 1897, Georges Delaselle, a Parisian insurer with a passion for botany, fell for the island and bought windswept plots of heathland at its south-eastern tip. There he created a garden where hundreds of species from Africa, Asia, the Americas and Oceania now grow: a palm grove, a cactus garden, a lawn of cordylines.
During the first works, a Bronze Age burial ground was even uncovered. Owned by the Conservatoire du littoral since 1997 and awarded the Jardin remarquable (Remarkable Garden) label in 2006, the garden was badly hit by Storm Ciarán in November 2023 and has been recovering ever since.
The palm grove
The heart of the garden, sheltered from the wind by hedges and banks.
The cacti
A garden of succulents, surprising in this climate.
The cordyline lawn
A setting with a New Zealand feel.
The burial ground
Bronze Age remains discovered on site.
Round the island on foot or by bike
The coastal path goes all the way round the island, leading from one cove to the next, with ever-changing views of the reefs and the mainland. On foot, allow the whole day with breaks; by bike, the tour is quicker, along quiet tracks. Bikes can be hired on the island.
Along the way, don’t miss the Sainte-Anne chapel and the white sandy beaches, ideal for a swim when the sea is calm.
Domaine de Mesqueau, 870 route de Mesqueau, Plougasnou
Roscoff, harbour, boats to the Île de Batz
Good to know
- Boats make several return trips a day: note the time of the last return.
- There is no cash machine on the island; most shops accept bank cards.
- The lighthouse and garden have seasonal opening times: check them before you set off.
- Bring good shoes, water and sun protection: the island is very exposed.
- For dogs, check with the boat operators and the sites you plan to visit.
Our ideal day on Batz
Crossing from Roscoff, bike hire, then up the lighthouse.
Picnic on a white sandy beach.
Georges Delaselle garden, then back along the coastal path.
From the Domaine de Mesqueau
After a day in the sea air, come back to the calm of the Domaine, about 40 minutes from Roscoff: wooded, pedestrian-only grounds, with the pond that borders the Domaine, premium cottages and a heated indoor pool. See also: our days out around Plougasnou and the tourist map of North Finistère.
Frequently asked questions
About a quarter of an hour by boat from Roscoff.
A day lets you go round it on foot or by bike, climb the lighthouse and visit the Georges Delaselle garden.
Yes, bike hire is available on the island; it’s the best way to go round it.
37 kilometres from the Domaine de Mesqueau, about 40 minutes by car.
No, it opens in season with varying times. Ask at the island’s tourist office.
