1. Ouessant, the largest
Its territory, measuring 8 km by 4 km, is the largest among the islands of Finistère, but also one of the wildest in the Iroise Sea. Recognizable by its steep cliffs, it is best explored by bike, from the port of arrival to the spectacular Pointe de Pern, the westernmost point of metropolitan France. The island is renowned for being the last in Brittany before America. Don't miss the lighthouse and beacon museum or the Niou ecomuseum, dedicated to life on the island in days gone by.
2. The island of Sein, the lowest
At just 6 meters above sea level, this small island threatened by rising waters emerges off the coast of Pointe du Raz. Located at the junction between the Iroise Sea and Audierne Bay, it derives its unique charm from its small fishing port with narrow streets and colorful boats, its granite walls, and its meadows blooming with thistles. The island of Sein distinguished itselfduring World War II, with its fishermen representing a quarter of the French who joined General de Gaulle in London to organize the Resistance. The most decorated communein France for this war, it is also the only one to have suffered more human losses during this dark period than during World War I.
3. Molène, the richest fauna
The Molène archipelago is located between the Brest harbor and Ouessant, in the Celtic Sea. It comprisesthe main island of Molène and a dozen smaller islands. The island is renowned for its particularly diverse wildlife, includingdolphins, gray seals, and numerous species of seabirds. Its culinary specialty is Molène sausage, a smoked meat product flavored with seaweed.
4. Batz, the closest to land
Opposite Roscoff,the island of Batz can be reached in 15 minutes by boat. Yet it offers a complete change of scenery: its mild microclimate is ideal for many exotic plants that are rarely seen in Finistère. The Pointe Pen ar Cleguer is home to the Georges Delaselle exotic garden, where you can admire more than 2,500 plants from all over the world. The 12 km tour of the island is easy to do by bike. An agricultural area, Batz is also renowned for its market gardening and the quality of its vegetables enriched with seaweed.
5. Les Glénan, the wildest
To the south of Fouesnant, the Glénan archipelago is known for its picture-postcard landscapes, earning it the nickname of the "Breton Caribbean". The island of Saint-Nicolas is the largest in the archipelago, off the coast of Tregunc and Pont Aven. It is linked to the island of Bananec by a sandy tombolo, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in France for its end-of-the-world setting, white sand and turquoise waters. The archipelago is home to the famous Glénans sailing school. At the heart of the archipelago, the crystal-clear waters of La Chambre are hailed as one of the most beautiful anchorages on the Atlantic coast. A must-see if you're on vacation in Brittany's Glénan islands!