Molène
Understand
Molène is an island located in the mer d'Iroise, about 15 kilometers from the mainland (Le Conquet). The island is 1200 meters wide and 800 large, and its highest point is located 26 meters above the sea level. Few inhabitants permanently live on the island: only 200 all year round, and about 800 during the summer.
Get in
By boat
At least one boat per day all year round (by the Penn ar Bed company), leaving from Brest and Le Conquet. In summer, there are more boats. Duration:
- 2h from Brest
- 30 minutes from Le Conquet.
For schedule and fares, see the Penn ar Bed Web site.
From the jetty (located in the north-east of Molène), Molène harbor (and center) is hardly 10 minutes by foot. Otherwise, there is a shuttle, that costs 2€50 per passenger.
By helicopter
A heliport allows to reach the mainland if you are in a hurry (and wealthy).
Get around
The island is almost entirely car free. Considering its size, it is very easy to go by foot. Most of the "streets" are in fact car-free, and cannot even be cycled.
See
- 🌍 The semaphore. Open all weekends and public holidays in May and June, and everyday during the school vacation (except February) and in September.. Texts in French, English and Breton. Free entrance..
- 🌍 Drummond Castle exhibition.
- 🌍 The Church. Built in 1881.
- 🌍 The Ledenez Vraz island. Ledenez Vraz is in front of Molène harbor, and can be accessed by foot only during low tide, and only provided the tide coefficient is high enough.
- Station de sauvetage (S.N.S.M.) Charcot.
Do
Going around the island takes about one hour by foot.
Buy
- 🌍 Proxy Market. Open every day (with quite reduced schedule though). Small supermarket in the "bourg". Bread must generally be booked 24h ahead. Not very expensive considering the island isolation.
- 🌍 Post office (La Poste). Open from Monday to Saturday (with reduced schedule too).
- 🌍 Bureau de tabac. Open almost every day. Tobacco, newspapers, postcards and souvenirs can be bought there.
| Note: There is no ATM on the island. Do bring cash from the mainland. This said, most restaurants and cafés, as well as Proxy Market, do accept credit card (Visa) payment. | |
Eat
Several restaurants, including:
- 🌍 Vent des îles, Mez ar Vilin (north-west of the island), ☏ +33 2 98 07 37 08. Crêperie
- 🌍 L'archipel, Le bourg (central island).
All these restaurants may be closed off season, so check ahead.
Drink
Several cafés on the island, including:
- 🌍 La Recouvrance (next to hôtel Kastell an Daol, on the harbor.).
Sleep
- 🌍 Kastell an Daol (on the harbor). a bit old and relatively expensive, but nice and helpful owner
- Gîte de Molène.
- Several rooms and flats are on rent, with a random quality.
Off season, most hotels, rooms and flats are closed (including the Kastell an Daol hotel), hence do book in advance. Some places will not allow renting for less than 2 or 3 nights, especially off season.
Connect
You might get the 4G coming from the mainland. Alternatively, there is a strong (and fast) 3G+ on the island, thanks to an antenna in the middle of the island. Some restaurants and cafés offer free Wi-Fi.