How to visit Ile de Batz: enjoy a day off Roscoff

The essentials at a glance

• Crossing
  • From Roscoff, about 15 minutes all year round.
  • At low tide, access via a jetty (10-minute walk).
• Distances
  • 3.5 km island (E-W)
  • Complete tour: 12 km (≈3 h on foot)
  • Gentle variant: 7-8 km
• Must-see
  • Jardin Georges Delaselle (April-Nov.)
  • Lighthouse (198 steps, April-Oct.)
• Mobility
  • On foot or by bike (on-site rental or personal bike on board)
• Services
  • Bourg vivant: shops, restaurants, tourist office, monthly activities

Remember: plan a ½ day for a first immersion, a full day to fully contemplate the beauty of the island and its contrasts.

Our open-air Slow Village hotel, just a stone's throw from Batz Island, invites you to take a fresh look at your travels.
Just a few minutes' boat ride from Roscoff, the island of Batz appears like a breath of fresh air off the coast of Morlaix Bay. Small in size, only 3.5 kilometers long, but immense in its landscapes, it can be discovered on foot or by bike, at the slow pace of the coastal paths. Without further ado, discover a land of sea and fields, where fine sandy beaches alternate with secret coves, and where the inhabitants cultivate the land with the help of seaweed, just like their ancestors.

The island is often described as a "vegetable garden by the sea". Its fields are home to carrots, shallots, lettuces and the famous early potato, whose slightly iodized taste comes from goémon, seaweed used for generations as a natural fertilizer. Thanks to the microclimate supported by the Gulf Stream, everything grows here with astonishing generosity. Even palm trees and cacti surprise travellers in search of the exotic!

A visit to the island of Batz is much more than a stroll along the seafront: it's a chance to come into contact with a land that has managed to remain authentic while slowly opening up to tourism. It's an invitation to simplicity, the very essence of slow tourism: walk, observe, breathe and finally take the time to live.

Must-sees on Batz Island

The Georges Delaselle Garden: an island botanical treasure

Ideally located on the eastern tip of the island, this exotic garden is one of the island's great surprises. As you step through the gates, you feel as if you've left Brittany and entered a tropical forest. Palms, agaves, aloes, bluish echiums, cacti, austral flowers... almost 2,500 species flourish here, carried by the gentle Gulf Stream.
Created at the end of the 19th century by Georges Delaselle, this garden is an ode to curiosity and patience. It's a pleasure to wander around for an hour or more, letting the fragrances and bursts of color transport you.

Batz Island lighthouse: climb up to touch the sky

To the west, the white lighthouse stands like a landmark. Its 44 meters and 198 steps require a little effort, but arrival at the top is an unforgettable reward: a 360° view of the island and Morlaix Bay.
Built in 1834 and open to visitors fromApril to October, it now houses a museographic space recounting maritime life and local legends. Between land, sea and sky, this lighthouse embodies all the poetry of the island.

The village: a lively, welcoming heart

Just a stone's throw from the landing stage, the village of Batz is the hub of island life. There are a few restaurants and shops, a church with its sober architecture, and granite houses that seem to watch over the port. The village is the ideal starting point for stocking up on supplies before a trip, or simply soaking up the tranquil atmosphere.

Beaches and coves: relaxation and contemplation

With over 14 beaches scattered around the island, you're bound to find your favorite spot of sand. Some are wide and family-friendly, others hide between the rocks. The wild Grève Blanche beach, surrounded by moorland, invites you to get away from it all, while Porz Reter seduces you with its idyllic, unspoilt setting.
Even if the water remains cool, the beauty of the place is enough to give the illusion of a distant shore.

These exceptional sites are a reminder that the island of Batz is not just a nature getaway: it's also a land of stories and memories.

Recommended itineraries for visiting Batz Island

Before you start...

From Roscoff's old port, it's just a 15-minute crossing toBatz Island. The departure point varies according to the tide: jetty at high tide, wooden pier at low tide (allow an extra 10-minute walk ). In summer, some excursions also leave from Carantec, Plougasnou, Locquirec or Morlaix, but the link from Roscoff remains the simplest and most regular.

Slow tip: take the time to stroll through the streets of Roscoff before boarding... and above all, check the time of the last return trip, to enjoy the island with peace of mind.

½ day: heading east, village and exotic garden

As soon as you arrive at the landing stage, let yourself be carried away by the hustle and bustle of the little port and cross the village. The granite houses with their colorful shutters, the church and the few shops invite you to take your first break.

Then follow the coastal path eastwards. A twenty-minute walk will take you to the Georges Delaselle Garden, a true Breton paradise. Thanks to its microclimate and the breath of the Gulf Stream, the garden is home to almost 2,500 exotic species from the four corners of the globe. Here, cacti stand side by side with palm trees, and sea air mingles with the scent of southern flowers.

The return journey can be a leisurely one along beaches such as Porz Reter or Grève Blanche, perfect for a contemplative stopover with your feet in the sand.

1 full day: the grand tour of the island (≈12 km)

If you have a day, plan to do the full loop.

• Morning: head east to discover the Delaselle garden, then follow the sheltered beaches to reach the island's agricultural heartland.
• Noon: settle down for a picnic on a dune, with a view of the ocean and horses grazing freely.
• Afternoon: head west to the lighthouse. At 44 meters high, the 198 steps to the top of the lighthouse offer a magnificent view over Morlaix Bay. Since 2018, a museographic space tells its story.
• Before returning: take a detour to the Maison du Corsaire (1711), a former stone guardhouse, and be amazed by the raw beauty of the coastline.

In the evening, as the light softens the contours of the island, return to the port for your return crossing. You'll feel like you've travelled a world apart, far away yet so close.

How best to visit the island of Batz: responsible advice & best practices

Visiting the island of Batz also means adopting a respectful attitude towards nature and its inhabitants. A few simple gestures can help preserve the harmony of the place:

• Pronunciation: a little secret you need to know as soon as you board... We say "Bâ", the t and z are silent.
• Respect for crops: the fields, often fertilized by seaweed, are the pride of the local people. Stay on the marked paths and always close fences behind you.
• Zero trace: take your garbage with you, use water bottles and reusable containers.
• Soft mobility: on the island, you can get around on foot or by bike. It's the perfect opportunity to slow down and take in the scenery.
• Travelling with the family: strollers are easily accommodated on the main paths, but to explore the wilder trails, a baby carrier will be your best ally.

Slow tip: take the time to talk to the islanders. Their agricultural know-how and their attachment to the land and sea add depth to your discovery.

Ideally located not far from our Breizh Légendes open-air hotel, the island of Batz seduces with its authentic landscapes, beautiful beaches, coves, gardens and lighthouses. Ideal for walking or cycling, it takes from half a day to a full day to explore. This destination fully embodies the spirit of slow tourism, where unspoilt nature, living memory and authentic exchanges with the islanders blend harmoniously.