Discreet jewel of the High Léon, not the least bit flashy, the island of Batz lives on agriculture and fishing, following the seasons and the tides. Due to this seasonal nature, many islanders had to go over to England to sell their onions, known as “Johnnies”, in the early XXth century. Only separated from Roscoff by a 2km long chenal, it takes no more than 10 minutes to get there. A pretty coastal path of about 10 kilometers leads you all around the island.

A calm and tranquil island
Like a generous garden set on the open sea, Batz offers its wealth with touching simplicity. Thanks to a micro-climate, a myriad of vegetables can be harvested a month early: potatoes, cauliflowers, endives, and artichokes grow on the open land, enjoying natural fertilizer provided by the sea:    seaweed. Bucolic as well as marine landscapes charm the eye: horses grazing in a meadow, rugged cliffs and rounded dunes go together in harmony. In some spots, heather and gorse give way to exotic species.

Exotic garden and stone built monuments
In the early XXth century, George Delaselle, un excentric Parisian took it into his head to build a palm grove at the eastern point of the island. At times it was called colonial garden, but today this setting of rare and exotic species bears its authors name. It is situated right above the ancient village that once was washed over by the sand. The Roman chapel Sainte-Anne, consecrated to the patron saint of the island and sea-farers, is nowadays a superb ruin, listed on the historical register. Built during the XI Th century, it was abandoned in the late Middle-Ages because of considerable silting-up of the east of the island. This is when the population settled on the site of the present village. The market gardening island's lighthouse is equally worth a visit, as well as its long white shore bordered by clear turquoise water.