Roscoff

Roscoff (whose name in Breton is Rosko) is a commune in the district of Morlaix in the département of Finistère, in France's Bretagne region. Its position is 48.73°N, 3.98°W, and its elevation is 6 m. Roscoff's population as of 1999 was 3,550.

The nearby Île-de-Batz, called Enez Vaz in Breton, is a small island that can be reached by launch from the harbour.

Since the 1960s, Roscoff has been developed as a ferry port for the transport of Breton agricultural produce. Passenger links with the United Kingdom and Ireland provide a boost to the local economy. Roscoff is also a traditional departure point for Onion Johnnies.

Monuments

Notre-Dame de Croaz Batz (church)
The house known as "that of Mary, Queen of Scots"
The aquarium and biological reserve.

Historic events

In 1375, the harbour was destroyed by the Earl of Arundel. It would later be rebuilt at its current location, at Kroas Batz.
From 1522 to 1545-1550, construction the Church of Our Lady of Kroas Batz (see Monuments above).
In 1548, the six-year-old Mary, Queen of Scots, having been betrothed to the Dauphin François, disembarks at Roscoff.
In 1790, Roscoff was raised to independent commune. Until this time, the town had effectively depended on Saint-Pol-de-Léon.

External links

(all in French)

Categories: Communes of Finistère