Roscoff Harbour: A green roof by the sea

In French Roscoff, Brittany, a multifunctional harbour building features a 1,300 m² Sempergreen Sedum roof. Built for a harsh coastal climate, it protects the structure, supports biodiversity and offers locals and visitors a public walkway with views across the harbour and the Channel.

Resilient in any season

Sedum thrives in salty winds, heavy rain and summer sun, flowering in colours year-round.

Public space with views

A wooden bridge runs across the roof, giving locals and tourists a unique harbour viewpoint.

Durable and low-maintenance

Pre-grown Sedum blankets ensure instant coverage, easy care and long-term roof protection.

A coastal roof with a public purpose

Roscoff, a harbour town on Brittany’s north coast in France, has always lived by the sea. From naval battles with England to fishing and trade, the port has shaped local life for centuries. Today, it is home to ferries, a marina and thousands of tourists each year. In this maritime setting, a multifunctional building stands out with its 1,300 m² Sempergreen slightly pitched green roof. Installed in 2014, it not only houses a restaurant and fishing club but also invites the public to enjoy the view. A wooden bridge runs across the roof, creating a unique link between harbour life, the sea and nature.

The Sedum roof is easy to maintain and also protects the roofing material against external influences, which extends the lifetime of the roof by many years.

Built for a coastal climate

Installed in 2014, the green roof crowns a multifunctional building in the harbour that accommodates a restaurant and fishing club. Its design integrates directly with the maritime setting, including a wooden bridge that runs across the roof, offering locals and visitors a unique walkway with views of the harbour and the open Channel. Few roofs are made to be walked across and enjoyed in this way, but here the design invites people to experience the building as part of the public realm.

A green welcome for thousands of visitors

In this lively and historic setting, the green roof adds a new layer of meaning. With its marina, ferry connections and fishing industry, Roscoff welcomes thousands of visitors each year. For many, the green roof is among the first sights when arriving by boat: a visible sign of resilience and ecological awareness in a historic setting. For the local community, it creates a public space that connects directly with the town’s maritime identity.

Protecting the building, extending its life

A roof in a coastal location must withstand constant stress. The Sedum roof is perfectly adapted to Roscoff’s weather. Its succulent leaves store water, making it drought-resistant, while its shallow roots spread quickly in thin substrate. This means the vegetation can handle salty winds, rain and strong sun. The Sedum vegetation also protects the waterproofing membrane from UV light, rain and thermal fluctuations. This reduces wear and tear and extends the lifespan of the roof by many years. For the owners, this translates into lower long-term maintenance costs and fewer interruptions to the building’s daily use.

A roof that changes with the seasons

Throughout the year, the roof reflects nature’s rhythm. In spring, it is bright green with new growth; in summer, the Sedum bursts into yellow, white and pink flowers that attract bees and butterflies. By autumn, the foliage turns shades of red and orange, echoing the changing colours of the town and coastline. Even in winter, the vegetation remains present, providing texture and stability in the landscape. For visitors crossing the wooden bridge, the changing roofscape is part of the experience of Roscoff itself.

Low maintenance, high resilience

The roof was built using pre-cultivated Sempergreen Sedum-mix blankets, which provide more than 90% coverage at installation. This ensures that the vegetation is stable from day one, preventing substrate from blowing away in the coastal winds and leaving little room for weeds to take hold. Maintenance is minimal, limited to periodic checks and seasonal care, yet the ecological and protective benefits continue year after year.

A green landmark for Roscoff

Roscoff is a place where history, sea and community come together. The harbour building’s green roof fits seamlessly into that narrative: resilient against the climate, welcoming for people and beneficial for nature. It improves air quality, buffers stormwater, supports biodiversity and protects the building fabric, all while offering a public place to walk and enjoy the view of the most traditional maritime setting.

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