Sentinel Island
Getting to Ouessant
Ouessant, or the island at the end of the world, is also nicknamed Sentinel Island.
This Breton island is accessible all year round from the port of Le Conquet. The Penn Ar Bed company runs a daily service in summer and winter. You can take your bike with you on certain boats, but only from Le Conquet. From May onwards, the Finist'mer company offers additional boats departing from Le Conquet and the port of Lanildut.
PRACTICE
Two shipping companies operate from Le Conquet and Lanildut. Take to the open sea!
PRACTICE
Free parking in downtown Le Conquet is limited to 4 hours. For a day trip to Ushant Island, you can park your vehicle in a pay parking lot near the pier or on a shuttle bus.
NB: you can park your car free of charge in one of the parking lots on the Blancs Sablons beach; it's a 40-minute walk to the pier.
Without reservation, the Parking des Îles is open to motorhomes (except during the first two weeks of August, in case of saturation).
DISCOVER
Le Stiff
Vous débarquerez au port du Stiff entouré de hautes falaises sombres. À cette heure-là, le port fourmille, effervescence passagère avant de retrouver le calme sur les chemins. Sur le port, taxi, car, navettes, loueurs de vélos et de voitures vous attendent.
The village of Lampaul is just over 4 kilometers away. A bus service departs from the port of Le Stiff to transport passengers (no reservation required, fares: 2.50 euros each way, 5 euros return). It will drop you off near the church in the village, where you'll find all amenities.
Why not climb to the island's highest point? At 63 metres above sea level, the Stiff lighthouse overlooks the port. From here, you can see the island of Ouessant, its bell tower and its 5 lighthouses.
BREATHE
Hiking in Ouessant
The tour of the island is 38 km long and is exclusively for pedestrians. Gorse, heather, rough grass, cliffs, jagged coastline, lighthouses, windmills, sandy beaches, dry stone walls, black sheep... So much natural and cultural heritage to discover! For day trips, you can choose from four hiking itineraries certified by the French Hiking Federation.
VISIT
Visit Ushant by bike
Cycling is an excellent way to discover the island, using the roads and byways that criss-cross it to get from one point to another in no time. You can also bring your own bike. Some boats allow you to do so, so ask when you buy your tickets. However, if you're taking a day trip, it's cheaper to rent a bike on site.
VISIT
Guided tour of Ushant Island
For those who don't want to miss a thing! Here's the ideal formula: in an 8-seater minibus or 15- or 30-seater minibus, you'll be picked up on arrival at the port for the whole day. You'll discover a wild and mysterious island alongside local guides.
It's GONE!
Before booking your boat trip, remember to organize your day on Ushant by contacting the local bike rental companies or guides on the island. Visit Ouessant in a different way and organize a kayak outing. Our Tourist Office advisors are on hand to help you!
EXCEPTIONAL
Ushant lighthouses
Ouessant is surrounded by five lighthouses, two of which are at sea: the Jument and Kéréon lighthouses. The Stiff lighthouse, the oldest, dominates the island. The Creac'h lighthouse, the most powerful in Europe, will brighten up your evening strolls. If you're lucky enough to spend the night on Ouessant, I recommend a visit to the foot of the lighthouse. The spectacle is grandiose, with a mystical atmosphere as the beams sweep across the moor and the horizon.
The Ushantine speciality
There's no shortage of restaurants in season: crêperies, fast-food outlets and traditional restaurants. Out of season, it's best to find out which restaurants are open and make reservations before you go! The specialty here is lamb stew cooked under a mound. This cooking method owes its origins to one of the island's particularities: there are no trees, so no wood. The islanders replaced wood with clods of short grass and gorse. The stew was quietly stewed while they toiled in the fields.
TESTIMONIAL
This year, we chose to take the shuttle bus from Lanildut. It was really convenient, the parking is free and it's a 3-minute walk from the pier, and it only took us 45 minutes to get to Ouessant!