Introduction to Faskrudsfjordur in Northeast Iceland

Though there is no actual French settlement in Iceland, the town of FASKRUDSFJORDUR has a long association with French sailors. In 1614, French fisherman came here in sailing ships. Tragically, in the 1800s, more than 400 ships and 4,000 sailors were lost at sea. Street signs are in both Icelandic and French.

French Hospital museum

Moved from another location to this new spot, this experiential museum is designed to look like the town’s original hospital. On the main floor is a reconstructed hospital room. Downstairs replicates the inside of a sailing ship, with bunks plus atmospheric ship creaks and groans and sea sounds; I had the sensation of movement as I walked through it. An intriguing video on a Memorial Wall mimics the ocean, and when you look closely you can see in the waves the names of the sailors who were lost at sea. Outside, an adjacent stream displays stones bearing the names of the schooners that went down.

L’Abri restaurant

I enjoyed a delightful waterside lunch here consisting of cod with white wine sauce and a salad.

exterior of L’Abri restaurant in Faskrudsfjordur, Iceland

Part of the Foss Hotel chain, contemporary hotel rooms featuring old-time details are available upstairs. 24 rooms; includes breakfast.

guest room in Foss Hotel chain in Faskrudsfjordur, Iceland

Meet the Locals

In addition to arranging a village walk with a local, like I experienced, this free program also has other options, including a home visit. My group visited:

●The Little Chapel

Built in 1880, the town’s oldest house is repurposed into a tiny chapel.

The Little Chapel in Faskrudsfjordur, Iceland

●Kolfreyja Gallery/Galleri Kolfreyia

This handcrafts shop operates inside a beautifully renovated historical house called Tangi.

knitted hats at the Kolfreyja Gallery in Faskrudsfjordur, Iceland

Our guide, 50-year-old local Bertlind, caught us by surprise with her unexpected, very attractive edgy hairdo. She told us that “the sun vanishes in November and we see it again in January.” And she told us again about the “sunshine pancakes” that folks in this remote area eat during those months to cheer themselves. By the end of our walk we had seen some of the 17 streams that run through this village and also a lot of trees, which was of special interest because Iceland is well known for having very few trees.