Page 139 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Brittany

NOR THERN FINISTÈRE  137

Ouessant’s Sheep
Out of the high season, Ouessant’s sheep
graze freely on the island’s salty pastures.
Then, on the first Wednesday in February,
the day of Porzgwenn’s traditional fair,
they are collected by their owners.
Although sheep-rearing has always been
an important activity on Ouessant, the
local breed, which is related to the ancient
wild sheep of Asia Minor, has almost
disappeared from the island. This small,
One of Ouessant’s hardy black sheep is being rivalled by
black sheep the white-fleeced merino. The Phare du Stiff, built by Vauban
in 1695
opened in the lighthouse’s stands on the island’s highest Colline St-Michel, in Mez
former generator room. From point (65 m/213 ft). Built by Notariou, archaeologists have
the Musée des Phares et Balises, Vauban in 1695, it is one of discovered fragments of pottery
a coast path runs between the oldest lighthouses in and pieces of amphora that
pebble ridges and low dry- France. From here, in clear show that Ouessant was an early
stone walls, leading to the conditions, it is possible to and important centre of trade.
Pointe de Pern, the island’s see the whole archipelago, Out at sea opposite Porz ar
most westerly point. Beyond the west coast of the Léon and Lan is the Phare de Kéréon,
the tip of this specta cular the Île de Sein. Below nestles built in 1907 in extremely
promontory, with rocks Stiff harbour, where the Enez difficult conditions. Another
eroded into strange and Eussa, the Fromveur and other lighthouse, the Phare de la
fantastic shapes, rises the vessels from the mainland tie Jument, dating from 1904,
Phare de Nividic, bathed in spray. up each day. protects shipping from the
The island’s northern coast The Presqu’île de Pen ar Lan, dangerous rocks that extend
has been colonized by sea southeast of Stiff, is worth a the Presqu’île de Feunteun
birds, including herring gulls, visit primarily for its small sandy Velen, to the southwest.
common gulls, puffins, pied inlet, which attracts fewer
oystercatchers and kittiwakes. visitors than Corz, the beach at E Écomusée d’Ouessant
Further east, grey seals can be Lampaul, and for its cromlech, Niou Huella. Tel (02) 98 48 86 37.
seen in the narrow inlets of the dating from 2,000 BC. This is Open Apr–Jun & Sep: 11am–5pm
Presqu’île de Cadoran. They can an elliptical arrangement of daily; Jul–Aug: 10am–6pm daily. &
also sometimes be seen basking menhirs that probably served E Musée des Phares et Balises
in the sun on rocks at Toull astronomical purposes. Créac’h. Tel (02) 98 48 80 70.
Auroz and Beninou. These are not the only signs Open Apr–Jun & Sep: 11am–5pm
The path continues towards of prehistoric habitation on daily; Jul–Aug: 10am–6pm daily
the Phare du Stiff, which Ouessant. At the foot of the (phoning ahead advisable). &

Moléne, Lanildut,
Le Conquet, Brest

Phare de
Men Korn

The rocky Pointe du Créac’h, on the southwest side of Ouessant
For hotels and restaurants see pp226–7 and pp238–9

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