Roscoff Tropical Gardens

Roscoff is a ferry port on the Northern Coast of Brittany, which many English people visit on their way to destinations all over France. So many times, I have seen people sitting waiting for ferries in the ferry port for up to four or five hours because they wanted to get to the ferry in time. I have also seen British people come over for the hypermarket runs, where they buy a lot of booze or cigarettes on a day trip that costs very little.
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...that many little ports like Roscoff miss out on tourists simply because they are a point where people simply pass through. The gardens are beautiful, and reasonably cheap, and can make the difference between a trip to France, and a trip where people actually enjoyed the ambiance of what the gardens offer, instead of just visiting supermarkets.

Taken last summer, the photos below show some of the plants that are abundant in the gardens, ... more

Roscoff is a ferry port on the Northern Coast of Brittany, which many English people visit on their way to destinations all over France. So many times, I have seen people sitting waiting for ferries in the ferry port for up to four or five hours because they wanted to get to the ferry in time. I have also seen British people come over for the hypermarket runs, where they buy a lot of booze or cigarettes on a day trip that costs very little.

What they don't get to see is what I want to tell you about as it may enhance a persons view of what is otherwise a small town with a port. It is the tropical gardens that were established some years back, within a walk of the ferry port itself for the energetic, or within a two minute car or taxi ride from the port itself.

This little piece of God's earth is full of surprises, and actually gets milder weather than inland Brittany, allowing it to harbour so many wondrous plants from the tropics, but it is more than that. Approaching the gardens, the parking area is not that impressive, and I believe the entrance way to be dull, though once you have paid your minor fee for entry of less than five the last time I went, the pathways take you on a journey of discovery.

Tariffs for the gardens are reasonable, and parties are catered for at special excursion prices for more than 15 people. (working out at 3.5 Euros per head).

- Closed in December, January and February.
- Open on April, May, June, September and October from 10:00am to 12:30am and from 2:00pm to 6:00pm.
- Open in July and August from 10:00am to 7:00pm.
- Open in November and March from 2:00pm to 5:00pm.

The little booth at the entrance sells the standard tourist things like postcards and cool drinks, and I would advise visitors to take a packed lunch or even a coolbox, to fully enjoy these gardens that look out to the sea. Taken on pathways through different areas of vegetation, the variety of plants and the astonishment of colour and splendour is well worth the trip and indeed the fee you paid to visit.

What I like about the park is its informity. There are seating areas where you can picnic, and places that suit both the energetic and less energetic traveller, although the paths are not really suited to disabled visitors which is a great shame. The mixture of rocks and plants is like taking a trip into another land, and I am always astounded at the brightness of tropical plants that greets me, especially in the Summer months. Succulants and orchids grow side by side in this micro climate that seems ideal for the growth and nurture of tropical species.

There is a small pond area with terrapins and this is an area particularly popular with the children, whilst high above a small cove looking out to see is the climax of the visit, a high lookout above the palm trees and plants, where the visitor can take a look to the right across the shoreline of Northern Brittany, and to the left out towards the ferry port itself.

Why I am writing this review is because I believe that many little ports like Roscoff miss out on tourists simply because they are a point where people simply pass through. The gardens are beautiful, and reasonably cheap, and can make the difference between a trip to France, and a trip where people actually enjoyed the ambiance of what the gardens offer, instead of just visiting supermarkets.

Taken last summer, the photos below show some of the plants that are abundant in the gardens, and they are not just open spaces. These gardens are planned in such a way as to create little places for pause and reflection, shaded areas and sunny ones, and I believe should be on the itinary of visitors to this area because of what they offer.

If you visit Roscoff, take advantage and visit.  

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