Carantec and Roscoff, two unmissable gems in northern Finistère

It is a peninsula that looks like paradise.

We play the Robinson Crusoe in the small coves, we stroll there madly in love on the fair beaches, we take our first edges in a cutter at the very famous Nautical Club... Carantec, a tasteful seaside resort, is a delicious secret that it is transmitted from mother to daughter.

Roscoff, a small corsair city of character which saw the birth of thalassotherapy, is only about twenty kilometers away.

In addition to the pleasure one finds in strolling through its picturesque streets, in bathing in its crystal clear waters, one can also taste the benefits of the local algae - on which the CNRS has been studying for decades - that one finds in the plate or cosmetics.

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Carantec: chic, in all simplicity

Plage de la Grève Blanche, one of the other pretty beaches in Carantec.

CRTB / Thibault PORIEL

Those lucky enough to own one of the beautiful villas tucked away on this protected promontory wouldn't vacation anywhere else for the world.

Just take the coastal footpath to be convinced - the famous

, which never loses sight of the sea.

When you discover the bay of Morlaix dotted with islets colonized by cormorants and terns, you understand why this part of Brittany is fundamentally endearing: after the golf course and the long

emerges

, with its vast pine forest giving it accents of the South.

First, there is the famous

, from where you can take the most beautiful shots of

.

350 m away, it instantly seduces with its small white lighthouse built in 1857. It is even possible to spend the night on site by renting the caretaker's house (from April to October, information from the Carantec Tourist Office , 02 98 67 00 43);

change of scenery guaranteed!

Île Louët with the Château du Taureau in the background, in Carantec.

CRTB / Thibault PORIEL

Then, very close, there is the Château du Taureau, emblem of the bay of Morlaix.

This imposing stone watchtower built on an islet in 1542 to discourage the English fleet was remodeled by Vauban, and never attacked.

Restored about fifteen years ago to be open to the public (the excursion lasts about 2 hours from Carantec), it is the subject of theatrical and storytelling visits.

The

,

and

beaches are the busiest;

following the coastal path to the port of Carantec, we discover a panoramic view of the

, accessible on foot when the sea recedes, where we find beautiful wild beaches.

Our advice

 : do you want to do local color?

Have an aperitif at the

(the Sports Bar, 6 place de la Liberation, tel.: 09 86 38 86 76), the mythical institution of Caranteco nights, then dine at

(5 place de la République, tel.: 02 98 69 80 08).

Read alsoBrittany and its islands: our favorite destinations

Roscoff, authentic and invigorating

Located on a peninsula in the Bay of Morlaix, the city of Roscoff faces the sea. CRTB / Thibault PORIEL

On the road to Roscoff, it is absolutely necessary to take a break in

to admire its religious heritage: from the bishopric suppressed to the Revolution, the city has notably preserved a beautiful

, and a chapel in the majestic bell tower soaring 80 meters - it is the highest in Brittany.

Like a secular echo, the church of

, in the center of Roscoff, also offers one of the most spectacular bell towers in the region.

Its tritons and ships sculpted in Gothic granite, just like the facades decorated with gargoyles and other mesmerizing characters of the houses of shipowners and corsairs built between the 15th and 17th centuries, recall the maritime history of the place.

In addition to cross-Channel ferries,

is home to many fishing boats, especially potters specializing in brown crab, which can be seen landed while walking on the old mole, or by visiting the auction (Tel.: 02 98 62 39 26, port of Bloscon guided tours adult/child price €5/3).

Continuing on the seafront, you discover, enchanted, a dozen pretty little beaches, including those of

,

and

.

In the footsteps of Corbusier, Cocteau or Marcel Proust, you climb up to the white

, perched on the

, from where the view is magnificent.

The Johnnies leaving the port to go and sell their famous onions across the Channel did not fail to greet the patron saint of the city by hoisting their flag three times as a sign of farewell.

You cannot leave this haven of peace without spending a day cycling on the

(pronounced Ba): between dunes and moorland, you can fill up with tonicity and calm, thus tasting all the promises of this marvelous part of Brittany.

View from the Exotic and Botanical Garden of Roscoff CRTB / Alexandre LAMOUREUX

Our advice:

don't miss the superb

, which brings together 3,000 species of plants from the southern hemisphere, proof of the existence of a microclimate in Roscoff.

You can buy cuttings from the nursery there: a holiday souvenir that is off the beaten track!

Exotic Garden of Roscoff, Lieu-dit Roc'h Hievec, 29680 Roscoff.

Such.

: 02 98 61 29 19. Daily, non-stop, from March 15 to November 1;

adult/child rate €6/3, free - 8 years old.

Read alsoBay of Morlaix: full of iodine in Roscoff

Address Book

Typical Roscoff residence with onions (from Roscoff) hung on the facade.

CRTB / Emmanuel BERTHIER

HOW TO GET THERE ?

From Paris-Montparnasse station, you reach Morlaix in just over 3 hours.

By car, it takes about 5.5 hours.

OR SLEEP ?

Hotel Brittany

.

Located opposite the port of Roscoff and the island of Batz, this magnificent 17th century manor house, a Relais & Châteaux member, is dedicated to well-being.

In addition to its dream spa which offers seaweed treatments, the iodized cuisine of Loïc Le Bail, Michelin-starred chef, can only seduce.

From €155 per night.

Hotel Brittany & Spa****, 22, boulevard Sainte-Barbe, 29680 Roscoff.

Such.

: 02 98 69 70 78.

Read alsoLe Brittany, in Roscoff: the sea and an artichoke dessert

Hotel de Carantec.

This is the other very nice address on the coast.

While its restaurant has been creating buzz for months (chef Nicolas Carro was awarded his first Michelin star a few weeks after settling in), its 12 spacious rooms overlooking the bay of Morlaix are conducive to relaxation.

From €167 per night.

The Hotel de Carantec, 20 rfue du Kelenn, 29660 Carantec.

Such.

: 02 98 67 00 47.

GOOD TABLE

Auberge la Pomme d'Api.

In a 17th century building, this Michelin-starred restaurant reveals the best of the local terroir.

Lobster, turbot, lamb and vegetables are enhanced by chef Jérémie le Calvez.

La Pomme d'Api, 5 rue Saint-Yves, 29250 Saint-Pol-de-Léon.

Such.

: 02 98 69 04 36.

Shopping

Concept store Balen l'échoppe de l'océan in Roscoff.

Balen Facebook account picture

Daughter of an oyster farmer and niece of a pearl farmer,

creates magnificent jewelry and works of art in her studio-boutique, open by appointment.

MX Perles, 2 rue du Kelenn, 29660 Carantec.

Such.

: 06 08 05 93 12.

Opened before the Covid, the

concept store offers fine canned fish, organic seaweed, decoration, accessories and clothing from the sea, and adorable whales made of recycled metal.

Balen the ocean shop, 11 rue Gambetta, 29680 Roscoff.

Such.

: 02 98 72 96 59.

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