Vedettes de l'Île de Batz Schedules 2026

On the Roscoff–Batz run you do not choose your boat, and out of season you cannot choose your company either. Three Roscoff shipowners — Armein Excursions, Armor Excursions and CFTM — competed on the same fifteen-minute crossing for decades before merging their operations into a single economic grouping, the G.I.E. Vedettes de l'Île de Batz, in January 2019. One ticket, one timetable, one fare.

A rota, not a fleet

Each firm owns two launches of roughly a hundred seats. From October to May the island needs one boat a day, so the companies take the service in turn — a given launch returns to duty about every six weeks. In school holidays the company on duty may add its second boat; between mid-June and mid-July, and again mid-August to mid-September, it usually runs both, with another company sending reinforcements at weekends. From mid-July to mid-August all six are out, which is what makes a departure every half hour possible.

The six launches

CFTM operates the Reine du Léon (1991, Chantier Bernard at Locmiquélic, 19 m, two 300 hp Baudouin engines, 125 seats) and the Enez Vaz (Chantier Sibiril, 19 m, 20 knots, 135 seats). Armor Excursions has the Fleur de Batz — biggest of the six, built at Carantec in 2000, 22 m and two 600 hp engines for 140 passengers — and the smaller Fée des Légendes (17 m, 96 seats). Armein runs the Adhara (2000, 21 m, 119 seats) and the panoramic Ilienne (1992, 18 m, 110 seats).

The tide decides where you board

At high water the launches leave from Roscoff's new quay; at low water from the far end of the estacade, an extra 600 metres on foot. Be there 15 to 20 minutes early. The company states plainly that departure times are indicative and can change at any moment for weather or spring tides — it offers no guarantee of schedule or journey time, which on a tidal crossing is honest rather than evasive.

Fares and the small print

Tickets are return only: €11 for anyone 12 and over, €7 for children 4–11, €2 under 4. A bicycle, e-bike, tandem or folding trailer is €18 — the fare for carrying your machine, not hiring one — a child's or folding bike €9, a dog €2. One suitcase and one piece of hand luggage are included; extra bags €18. Cargo bikes are refused. VAT, port dues and the Loi Barnier island environment levy are all included in the price. No reservation for individuals — only groups of 20 or more — and no card payment on board. Online tickets are non-refundable and come without an invoice.

Parking, access and the phone line

The closest car park at Roscoff is reserved for island users and is small; the others are chargeable from June to mid-September. In July and August the free RoskoBus shuttle connects the outlying car parks. Wheelchairs can be taken aboard, but the company is candid that slipway conditions are not ideal — there are steps. And do not plan on ringing for timetable advice: because of call volume the company answers only excursion bookings, group reservations of 20+ and emergencies, directing everything else to the website.

Summer routes and cruises

From mid-June to mid-September the three companies coordinate sailings to Batz from six other harbours in Finistère and the Côtes-d'Armor — Plougasnou, Carantec, Locquirec, Trébeurden and Moguériec, the last in two versions: a 45-minute commentated cruise past the wild coast and the Île de Sieck (€22 adult, €16 child 4–11) or a 25-minute direct crossing (€14 / €10), with times set by the tide. From Roscoff, a Bay of Morlaix cruise with a guided stop at the Château du Taureau runs May to September at €32 adult, €22 child. The Roscoff–Batz link is the only island service in Brittany not run under a regional public-service contract through BreizhGo.

On the island

Batz is 15 minutes out, with 12 km of coastal path, a microclimate that supports both local and exotic planting, and eleven restaurants, crêperies, bars and shops. Outside the peak the boats make eight to ten round trips a day. There is no cash machine on the island — island businesses take cards, but arrive prepared.