Brittany hotels and guide

Ushant Island

Ushant is an island in the English Channel which marks the north-westernmost point of France. It belongs to Brittany and is in the traditional region of Bro-Leon. Administratively, Ushant is a commune of the Finistere department. It is the only place in Brittany with a separate name in English.

 

Ushant marks the southern entrance to the western English Channel, the northern entrance being the Isles of Scilly, southwest of Land’s End in Cornwall, Great Britain. Although it is an island in the English Channel, it does not form part of the Channel Islands. The island is a rocky landmass some 8 km by 3 km with a total area of 15 km². There is only one significant community on the island, the village of Lampaul with a population of about 900 people.

 

Ushant is famous for its maritime past, both as a fishing community and as a key landmark in the Channel approaches. Several naval battles have been fought near Ushant between the British and French navies. In March 1978, a U.S. oil tanker, Amoco Cadiz, ran aground at Portsall about 19 miles from the island, leading to major pollution of the Breton coast.

 

The island is home to a special breed of dwarf black sheep and also to the Creach Lighthouse, one of the most powerful lighthouse in the world.