Roscoff Things to Do

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Just at the entrance to the leisure port and parking are two houses known as "The Mary Stuart houses". Mary Stuart landed here in 1548 and the legend goes that the future Queen of France and Scotland stayed in these houses. But the reality is, they were both built at leat 10/20 years after her landing. In fact at that time there only existed the St. Ninians chapel at the head of the landing stage. The chapel was demolished in the 1930's and all that subsists is the "Porte Marie Stuart".

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As would be expected from such a scenic location Roscoff has several commercial art galleries with works by local artists for sale. Unfortunately on an out of season Monday none of them were open but the window displays certainly are tempting.

The local style seems to be mainly impressionist but none the worse for that.

Website below will give you a taste.

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Having been in the catering trade here in the UK for more years than I care to think about I am very familiar with Brittany produce. The region has richly fertile arable land, relatively short, mild, winters and long, but not overhot, summers. Because it is a peninsula there's always moisture in the air and whilst rainfall isn't particularly generous the general climate makes for ideal growing conditions for most vegetables.

Roscoff's particular claim to fame is its red onions (they even have their own "Appellation Controlee) which it began exporting in the early 1800's following a bumper crop. The early traders would sail across the Channel with boatloads and sell their produce door-to-door, firstly on foot and later by bicycle, with the onion stems woven to form necklaces for ease of carriage. These men became known as the "Onion Johnnies" (Since most of them were called Jean and those that weren't probably called themselves Jean anyway - perhaps for tax reasons ;)).

In the town centre there's a little museum dedicated to these guys and during the summer this is open Sunday to Friday with guided tours available. Unfortunately during the winter (which is the only time I've been) the house is only open on Tuesdays and Fridays and so I haven't had a chance to visit as yet - but watch this page.

Once you get back to the ferry port and have checked-in; if your ferry isn't ready for boarding the L'accostage cafe-bar at the port is quite a pleasant, friendly, place to have a quick beer or two. This has the advantage of opening onto the departures area and so you can enjoy your beer and watch for the boarding commencing.

This is open to the public, as well as ferry passengers, and is quite popular with the local workers from the docks and the adjacent industrial estate.

Obviously as well as beer you can get a full range of beverages, alcoholic and otherwise, and the food menu looks quite good too and is reasonably-priced.

PS It's also useful if waiting for the bus as the bus stop is just out front.

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Chez Janie is the bar and restaurant of the Hotel du Centre here in the centre of town (strange but true!).

This is a friendly little bar and the terrace overlooks the harbour which makes it an ideal spot to relax with your pre-lunch aperatif. There's a good selection of local draught beers and cider (I think it was 4 + 1) and whilst its not the cheapest bar in town (at 2.70 for a demi "Lancelot Blonde") its not the most expensive either.

The food menu looks as if it's more restaurant-style than cafe but the plats du jour looked good value.

Bar ty Pierre (or Cafe depending on which bit of signage you read!) is as pleasant a spot as any to linger with your morning coffee. Service is pleasant, swift and friendly, and at 1.30 Euro the coffee is perfectly reasonably priced.

The terrace is ideal for watching the world go by and out of season is very much a locals haunt.

The cafe-type menu looks good too if you fancy a snack or lunch.

Personally I tend to just meander and see where I end up, depending on the time I've got available. However if you want to take a circular walk there are freebie leaflets available from the Tourist Office with maps, descriptions and timings.

These routes are signposted at their junctions and so it should be impossible to get lost.

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Roscoff's main church is the 16th/17th century Eglise de Notre-Dame de Croaz Batz (Our Lady of Cross Batz) situated in the town centre. Its distinctive twin bell towers can be seen from miles around and up closer you'll notice the secular stonework carvings commemorating the fact that it was built by local merchants and shipowners.

This is very much a working church but inside is as interesting as the exterior by all accounts and the Louis XIII main altar is particularly magnificent.

For a virtual visit the website below has useful info and great pics.