Region
Eastfjords
660 km from Reykjavik
Faskrudsfjordur: Iceland's French Town
Iceland's French town, with bilingual street signs, a museum, and the traces of thousands of French fishermen who once based themselves in this fjord.
Population
~700
Eastfjords • French heritage
Quick Answer
Faskrudsfjordur was a base for French fishing fleets. Street signs remain bilingual, and the French Museum and a French cemetery record the era.
Faskrudsfjordur is unusual in Iceland for its French connection. Bilingual street signs in Icelandic and French recall the French fishermen who used this fjord as their base. The French Museum tells their story, and the former French hospital now operates as a hotel.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
The French cemetery and former hospital (now a hotel) remain from the era of the French fishermen who lived and died here.
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Official sources to check
Population
~700
French-Icelandic heritage
Known for
Bilingual signs
Icelandic and French street names
Top Attractions in Faskrudsfjordur
French Museum
History of French fishermen in Iceland
Bilingual Street Signs
Icelandic-French signage through town
French Cemetery
Memorial to fishermen who died here
Fosshotel Eastfjords
Former French hospital, now hotel
Swimming Pool
Geothermal pool with fjord views
Coastal Hiking
Trails along the fjord
How to Get to Faskrudsfjordur
From Egilsstadir: 50 km (45 minutes) via Route 92 and the tunnel from Reydarfjordur.
From Reykjavik: Fly to Egilsstadir (1 hour), then drive. Or 7.5-8 hours by car via Route 1.
Tunnel access: The 5.9 km Faskrudsfjardargong tunnel connects with Reydarfjordur; check the approach roads as well as the tunnel.
Best Time to Visit Faskrudsfjordur
Summer: Best weather, with the French Museum fully open and easy access to the heritage sites.
Winter: Fosshotel Eastfjords lists a November–April closure. The French Museum is by arrangement from October 1 through May 14; arrange an off-season visit before traveling.
Visit the museum before dinner
The museum occupies the Doctor’s House and French Hospital, with the main exhibition in the tunnel joining them, according to Fosshotel Eastfjords. The hotel uses four restored buildings along Hafnargata. A hotel stay, a meal and a museum visit are different bookings even though they share this historic setting.
The municipal museum timetable, checked September 10, 2026, gives daily opening from 10:00–18:00, May 15–September 30. From October 1 through May 14, arrange access through sofn@fjardabyggd.is or +354 470 9063. This museum has a longer regular season than the municipal museums in Eskifjordur, Reydarfjordur and Neskaupstadur.
L’Abri’s dinner service is listed as 18:00–21:30. That begins when the museum’s regular visiting hours end, despite the restaurant page’s suggestion that guests look around before or after dinner. For both in one evening, see the exhibition first and book dinner afterward; confirm any special evening access directly. The hotel’s own FAQ lists its closure from November 1 through April 30, so a winter stay here should not be assumed.
Planning help
Faskrudsfjordur FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
What is the population of Faskrudsfjordur?
Faskrudsfjordur has approximately 700 residents.
Why does Faskrudsfjordur have French connections?
French fishermen used the fjord as a base for fishing Icelandic waters. The museum traces their lives and the town’s connection with the fishing fleets.
Are the street signs really bilingual?
Yes, street signs in Faskrudsfjordur are in both Icelandic and French, a nod to the town's French history.
How far is Faskrudsfjordur from Reykjavik?
Faskrudsfjordur is about 660 km from Reykjavik (7.5-8 hours driving) via Route 1.
What is the French Museum?
The French Museum (Fransmenn á Íslandi) documents the French fishing era with artifacts, photographs, and accounts of the sailors who lived and died here.
Was there a French hospital here?
Yes. Fosshotel Eastfjords occupies restored French buildings, including the hospital. The museum spans the Doctor’s House and hospital, with its main exhibition in a connecting tunnel.
How do you reach Faskrudsfjordur?
The 5.9 km Faskrudsfjardargong tunnel connects toward Reydarfjordur. Check current road and weather conditions for the journey.
What services does Faskrudsfjordur have?
The town has a hotel (the former French hospital), restaurant, French Museum, swimming pool, and small shops.
For national population totals and trends to put local figures in context, see our Iceland statistics.