Being the Land of Fire and Ice, all sorts of weird and wonderful things are the order of the day. But this oddity is something that few would ever expect. Who would’ve thought that while still struggling to pronounce Kirkjubæjarklaustur, you’d be confronted with French?! Yet, that is exactly what happens when visiting Fáskrúðsfjörður.
This little town in Iceland is not just beautiful but also has a pretty interesting history, making it one of the most beloved spots among visitors to the island. This article will tell you all about this incredible place and how to come and experience its uniqueness for yourself.
Fáskrúðsfjörður: An Introduction to the Little French Town in Iceland
Fáskrúðsfjörður is also known as Búðir and is located in East Iceland. It is one of those typical picturesque little towns in Iceland, lying between a breathtaking fjord and a magnificent mountain range.
But that is where the “typicalness” of this little town stops. Founded in 1880, Fáskrúðsfjörður only has about 700 permanent residents today but sees thousands of visitors walking down its streets every year. This is because Fáskrúðsfjörður is also called “the French town in Iceland,” and if you read on, you’ll understand why.
Fáskrúðsfjörður’s French Origin Story
Fáskrúðsfjörður boasts an incredibly unique origin story. The town began as a settlement by French fishermen, the majority of which came from Normandy and Brittany. It was essentially a little fishing town that served as the base for their cod fishing operations.
Although a small town, the fishing operations had a big impact back home in France, especially in places such as Dunkerque. That’s why Fáskrúðsfjörður soon turned into a well-known trading post until 1935.
As the trading post and town grew in popularity, Fáskrúðsfjörður had to be expanded to accommodate the increase in settlers (which were mostly French sailors). The expansion included:
- An infirmary and chapel – built in 1896
- A French hospital and mortuary – built in 1904
- A doctor’s house – built in 1907
But this beautiful and flourishing town also had its fair share of heartbreak. It is estimated that nearly 400 ships fishing the cod-rich waters perished, and roughly 5000 French sailors were lost at sea. The town and trading post wasn’t just a place to exchange goods but also cultures, and Fáskrúðsfjörður played a vital part in building a relationship between the French and Icelandic nations.
With the outbreak of the First World War, Fáskrúðsfjörður suddenly had sailors recalled back home as the men had to go fight for and defend their country. As the number of inhabitants dwindled, Fáskrúðsfjörður slowly fell into a state of disrepair. In fact, places such as the hospital were completely abandoned and left to go to ruins for almost 60 years! By the time 1935 came around, the flourishing town of Fáskrúðsfjörður was a mere memory of better times.
As time went by, the locals slowly started to move into Fáskrúðsfjörður and began to repair and rebuild the town to its former glory. But they still acknowledged and cherished the town’s unique origin story and, as an homage to its French heritage, kept its French flair. This is clear from the French street names, the memorials, Le Cimetiere Francais (the graveyard where 49 French soldiers were laid to rest), and the old hospital that has since been turned into a French Museum and hotel that boasts a French-inspired restaurant.
If the stories are anything to go by, you might even come across an unexpected guest while staying at the hotel (there are a few French guests wandering around here that never checked in and do not seem likely to check out anytime soon if you know what we mean).
Perhaps they’re hanging around for the French festivities occurring in Gravelines each year. Gravelines is the neighboring town of Fáskrúðsfjörður, and every year during the last weekend of July, a French festival is held celebrating all things French with everything from street parties to French cuisine.
Some of the Interesting Things to See and Do in Fáskrúðsfjörður
When visiting Fáskrúðsfjörður, the following come highly recommended:
- Stopping by the Fáskrúðsfjörður basketball courts. You’ll need some pretty exceptional skills to stay focused and make a few dunks, with the breathtaking views of the mountains and fjord being a constant distraction.
- Checking out the memorial next to the Doctor’s House. Ironically, this is of another doctor, Dr. Jean Charcot, a famous scientist and, even more excitingly, a polar explorer.
- Visiting the vicarage. Kolfreyjustadur was built in 1878, and this beautiful structure with all its interesting artifacts inside is a must for any history or architecture aficionado.
- Spotting our famous Puffins. Iceland equates to roughly 60% of the world’s Puffin population. There’s just one catch – they only come around during their breeding season from May to August. But if you plan your trip to Fáskrúðsfjörður during this time, you’ll be able to see them on Skrudur Island and along the fjord.
- Visiting the French Museum inside the old hospital building. It’s here where you can do a deep dive into Fáskrúðsfjörður French heritage.
- Going swimming at Sundlaugar. Here, you will find a 12.5-meter-long pool and a hot tub.
- Checking out Le Cimetiere Francais. This historic site should obviously be visited with the utmost respect for the French sailors who are buried here. But when you experience the peace and tranquillity here and see the cemetery’s incredible views, you’ll understand why the spot was chosen to put their people to rest.
- Admiring the views of Skrudur Island. The island that sits just off Fáskrúðsfjörður isn’t just a Puffin breeding hot spot but makes for a pretty sight with its high cliffs and lush green vegetation. It also comes with its own folklore about a troll that organized himself a mail-order bride, with the exception that he did not order her, and there was no mail involved; he simply took the daughter of the priest at Kolfreyjustadur and married her.
- Playing at Fjöskyldugardurinn a Fáskrúðsfjirdi. Although this was created for children, we can assure parents that they’ll undoubtedly be tempted to join in. This playground is a paradise for children (big or small) with swings, various slides, rides, and even bouncy castles.
- Visiting the Memorial Stand of Bergur Hallgrimsson. This may not seem very exciting, but it’s very fitting here in Fáskrúðsfjörður. This prominent businessman was a pillar of the community and one of the island’s most famous Herring processors and fisheries operators.
- Ascend Sandfell, a 743-meter-high rhyolite peak, for breathtaking panoramic views of the fjord and surrounding mountains.
- Discover the scenic Vattarnes Peninsula by driving Road 955. Admire the iconic Vattarnesviti lighthouse and enjoy a scenic alternative to the tunnel route connecting Fáskrúðsfjörður and Reyðarfjörður.
Places to Stay in Fáskrúðsfjörður
Fáskrúðsfjörður is a small town, so your options might be a bit limited. Yet, there’s still more than enough variety to suit most visitor’s preferences and their budget:
- Book at Fosshotel Eastfjords for that touch of luxury.
- Book at Guesthouse Elinar Helgu for a comfortable but affordable stay.
- Book at Fáskrúðsfjörður Campsite for the most budget-friendly stay.
Places to Eat in Fáskrúðsfjörður
If you’re feeling a little peckish while exploring Fáskrúðsfjörður, the following restaurants and cafés come highly recommended:
L’abri
L’abri is the famous French-inspired restaurant at the old hospital, now the hotel. Although dining here is a bit pricey, it’s well worth it for the delicious food, the incredible views, and the history behind it. Their meats and seafood are especially exceptional.
Söluskalinn Loppa
Söluskalinn Loppa is a less expensive dining option and will also satisfy those cravings for good old-fashioned comfort food favorites like hot dogs and pizzas.
Café Sumarlina
Café Sumarlina probably has the most variety on its menu, and you can honestly order anything from burgers and cakes to fish soups and lamb. But having this convenient variety comes at a cost, and you’ll find that the Café is slightly more expensive than Söluskalinn Loppa.
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The Best Time to Visit Fáskrúðsfjörður
As a town here in Iceland, Fáskrúðsfjörður can be visited all throughout the year. But there are a few factors to consider when deciding when to come visit:
- You’ll be strolling down the street and admiring the views of the mountains, the fjord, and Skrudur Island. This requires you to be outside. So, unless you’re someone who has a pretty high tolerance for the cold and extreme weather conditions, we won’t recommend visiting during the colder months, especially the winter (November to February).
- If you’re an avid birdwatcher, we suggest you visit during the spring (March to May) when the nesting season has officially begun, and many migratory species also flock to Iceland (pun intended). You will also be able to start spotting the Puffins in Iceland from around late April. The nearby island of Skrúður is renowned for its rich birdlife, including puffins and gannets during the summer months.
- If you would like to join in the French Day Festival fun, you’ll need to plan your trip over the last weekend of July.
Driving Directions to Fáskrúðsfjörður in Iceland
Driving to Fáskrúðsfjörður is fairly simple from the direction of Reykjavik:
- Take the Ring Road (aka Route 1) and start driving it in a counter-clockwise direction toward the east of the island.
- You will continue on this route, traveling via Selfoss, Vik, Höfn, and Breidalsvik. Fáskrúðsfjörður will be just a short detour off Route 1, well before reaching Reydarfjördur.
*Just keep in mind that this route is 655 kilometers (about an 8.5-hour drive), and with so many other famous attractions and activities en route, most prefer turning it into a Ring Road road trip with Fáskrúðsfjörður as a stop along the way.
Road Trip in a Camper
If you’re looking for an easy and cost-effective way of road-tripping around the Ring Road, visiting Fáskrúðsfjörður, and even staying at Fáskrúðsfjörður Campsite, renting a campervan in Iceland is the way to go.
This will allow you to captain your own Iceland adventure, have both your accommodation and transport sorted, and allow you to camp in comfort – all without breaking the bank. So, come cruise around the Ring Road in a camper and visit Fáskrúðsfjörður along the way.