The Lighthouses of Western France

Located on a wave swept rock about 6 km offshore from Trézien. Accessible only by boat; there is a distant view from shore. 

In this photo you can see Les Plâtresses in the "foreground" and Le Stiff behind it.

Photo courtesy Dominique Resmon [Carceller]

Located about 500 m west of the Pointe de Trézien in the town of Trézien.

Photo courtesy Ellen [Flickr]

Some of the Île d'Ouessant ferries also stop at Île Molène. Located on a rock on the northeast side of the island, at the entrance to the harbor. Accessible only by boat, but there is a good view from the ferries.

Photo courtesy Dominique Resmon [Carceller]

Located atop a bluff at the northern end of the Île d'Ouessant.

Photo by Camille Leroux [Flickr]

Located on the usually-submerged Men-Tensel reef about 2 km southeast of the eastern point of the Île d'Ouessant. Accessible only by boat; there is a distant view from the Île d'Ouessant.

Photo by Doninque Resmon [Phares]

Located about 1 km east of the easternmost point of the Île d'Ouessant. Accessible only by boat; there is a distant view from the Île d'Ouessant.

Photo by Dominique Resmon [Carceller]

Located on the Pointe St.-Mathieu about 3 km south of Le Conquet, marking the beginning of the approach to Brest; on a clear day more than a dozen lighthouses can be seen from this location.

Photo courtesy pietroizzo [Flickr]

Located just off Pointe St.-Mathieu. Accessible only by boat, but easily seen from shore.

Photo by Dominique Resmon [Carceller]

Located about 7 km south southeast of Pointe St.-Mathieu and a similar distance west of the Pointe du Toulinguet.

Photo courtesy Gwenn Fichou [PharesFrance]

Located on an isolated rock in the middle of Goulet de Brest.

Photo courtesy Dominique Resmon [Carceller]

rear range for Pointe du Petit Minou (see above)

Photo courtesy Eric Arbras [Flickr]

Located at the end of the old breakwater on the north side of the harbor of Camaret.

Photo courtesy Babinet [Flickr]

Located on the south side of the Crozon peninsula, at the southern entrance to the Anse de Morgat, about 1.1 km southeast of the Morgat waterfront.

Photo courtesy Bruno Chappuis [Carceller]

Located on a headland on the south side of the Baie de Douarnenez, about 5 km northeast of Bouzec-Cap-Sizun.

Photo courtesy Philippe Gourdelier [Carceller]

Located about 1.5 km west of the Pointe de Kermorvan, on the north side of the entrance to Le Conquet and at the south end of the Chenal du Four. Accessible only by boat; there is a distant view from the Kermorvan lighthouse.

In this photo, Vinotiere is in the foreground, Molène is in the background.

Photo courtesy Dominique Resmon [Carceller]

Located on a hilltop just south of Le Conquet, about 2.7 km southeast of the Kermorvan light, which serves as the front light of the range.

Photo courtesy Dominique Resmon [Carceller]

On the end of a long curved Jetty in Saint-Malo.  This picture is taken from a boat leaving St. Malo, and significantly digitally zoomed to make the light visible.

A much better photo is published on webshots taken by Sparijs.

The island is accessible by passenger ferry from Audierne. Located at the western point of the island, about 1.6 km west of the harbor.

Photo courtesy Christophe Alary [Flickr]

Located on a headland projecting into the Baie d'Audierne about 3 km south of Esquibien.

Photo courtesy J.P. Chapalain [Flickr]

The Feu de Kergadec is the rear light of this entrance range for Audierne. Located at the end of the Jetée de Raoulic, on the west side of the entrance to the harbor of Audierne.

Photo courtesy Mr. Fenwick [Flickr]

Located on the west side of the entrance to the small harbor of Pors-Poulhan, just off the Rue de l'Océan, about 4 km southeast of Plouhinec.

Photo courtesy Yann Lautredou [Flickr]

The light behind is La Vieille, shown above.  This light is easily confused with La Plate.

Photo by François Floch [Carceller]

Located on a shoal in the entrance to the Pouldon estuary, between Loctudy and Île Tudy. Accessible only by boat, but easily seen from shore on either side.

Photo courtesy Christophe Alary [Flickr]

Located in Bénodet, on the east side of the entrance to Odet estuary and close to the Fort du Coq (1862).

Photo courtesy raphodon [Flickr]

Located on a small island about 11 km southeast of Bénodet and a similar distance southwest of Concarneau. Accessible only by boat.

Photo courtesy Claude Carnot [Flickr]

This was the original rear light of the La Croix range; it stands 1875 m northeast of the Feu de la Croix. Located on a hillside on the northeastern edge of Concarneau.

Photo courtesy Alain Guichaoua [Carceller]

Located on the east side of the Concarneau harbor entrance in Lanriec.  (Note that while the light seems small, it's large compared to the boat.)

Photo courtesy Philippe Gourdelier [Carceller]

According to Fichou, this was the first directional light (feu à secteur) installed in France. Located on a bluff overlooking the west side of the entrance to the Aven estuary, off the Rue du Port in Port Manec'h.

Photo courtest Gabriel Pottier [Carceller]

Located on the east side of the entrance to the harbor of Doëlan.  (The green light in front.)

About 325 m north northeast of the front light.  (The red light in the rear.)

Photo courtesy Xavier Richard [Carceller]

Located at the end of the north breakwater enclosing the harbor of Port Tudy, on the north side of Île de Groix.

Photo courtesy Nomad Photography [Flickr]

This light was initially established within the walls of the historic Fort de Surville, one of the fortifications guarding the approach to Lorient. Two taller lighthouses, built in 1830 and 1845, had to be removed because they came into the line of fire of the fort's artillery. Finally the light was removed from the fort to eliminate this problem. Located at the eastern point of the island. (Not to be confused with either FR81 or FR104A)

Photo courtesy Valentine Verdet [Carceller]

Located at the southeastern point of the Île de Groix island, about 2 km southeast of the village of Locmaria.

Photo courtesy Valentine Verdet [Carceller]

Located in the entrance to the Rade de Lorient, roughly 1.5 km from either side. Accessible only by boat; there should be good views from Gâvres to the east or Larmor-Plage to the north. (Don't confuse with Île Molène)

Photo courtesy Gardien [Carceller]

Located in the open Atlantic about 13 km west of Quiberon.

One significant fact about this light is that it took 54 years to construct it (from 1880 to 1934).

Photo courtesy Yann Guimond [Carceller]

Located at the original end of the breakwater on the south side of the harbor; this location is now an elbow in the extended breakwater.

Located at the end of the extended breakwater on the south side of the harbor.

Photo courtesy Guillaumeo [Flickr]

Located on the west side of the harbor of Sauzon, a small port on the northwestern coast of Belle-Île.

Photo courtesy Jean-Pierre Robin [Carceller]

Located at the end of the mole enclosing the southeast side of the harbor of Le Palais, the principal town of Belle-Île. Good view from ferries arriving from the mainland (either Quiberon or Lorient).

Photo courtesy Fabian [Flickr]

Located at the end of the breakwater mole at the village of Île d'Houat, on the northeast side of the island. Accessible by walking the pier.

Photo courtesy Sebastien LaGarde [Flickr]

This lighthouse guards the southern entrance to the Baie de Quiberon. Located on a rocky shoal about 4 km southeast of Hoëdic. Accessible only by boat.

Photo courtesy Eric Guéret [Flickr]

Located at the point of the Saint-Philibert peninsula, marking the east side of the entrance to the Crac'h estuary.

Photo courtesy Marie-Christine Terraillon [Carceller]

This plain modern lighthouse guides vessels into the port on the east side of Arzon. Located on the east side of the harbor.

North side of mouth of La Vilaine River.

Photo courtesy Jacques Conreux [Carceller]

Located on the jetty at the Pointe de Merquel, the south side of the entrance to the Marais Salants estuary north of Mesquer.

Photo courtesy John Cristophe Fichou [PharesFrance]

Located on the breakwater sheltering the harbor of La Turballe.

Photo courtesy John Cristophe Fichou [PharesFrance]

Located on a rocky shelf, submerged at low tide, about 3 km west of the Pointe du Croisic, on the north side of the approach to the Loire. Accessible only by boat.

Photo courtesy Joël Saulnier [PharesFrance]

Located on a rocky shelf about 8 km south of Le Pouliguen, marking the beginning of the approach to the Loire estuary, Saint-Nazaire, and Nantes.

Photo courtesy Denis Joly [Carceller]

Located on the north bank of the Loire estuary on the east side of Saint-Marc-sur Mer, about 8 km southwest of Saint-Nazaire.

Photo courtesy Benoit Ducrot [Carceller]

Located at the end of an abandoned jetty just off a point of land about 2.5 km  southwest of the Port de Saint-Nazaire. Apparently accessible from the riverfront along the Rue Ferdinand Buisson.

Photo courtesy Francisco Silva Gonzalez [Flickr]

Located on the west side of entrance to the harbor of Pornic, on the Baie de Bourgneuf about 30 km south of Saint-Nazaire.

Photo courtesy Robert Carceller

Brochets is a small oyster-fishing village on the southwestern shore of the Baie de Bourgneuf. Located about 3 km northwest of Bouin.

Photo courtesy Robert Carceller

Visible behind the light below.

Photo courtesy Joêl Saulneir [PharesFrance]

"Les Monts" (mountains) is a reference to prominent sand dunes south of the Goulet de Fromentine entrance. Located on the west side of the harbor at La-Barre-des-Monts, on the mainland just inside the Goulet.

Photo courtesy Robert Carceller

Originally this was the front light of the harbor entrance range. Located at the head of the quay on the west side of the inner harbor.

Photo courtesy John Cristophe Fichou [PharesFrance]

Lighthouse located on a rocky ledge about 800 m off the Pointe du But, the northwestern point of the island; the fog signal building is located at the tip of the point.

Photo courtesy Alain Guyomard [Carceller]

Not really a lighthouse, but clearly a historic beacon. Located at the tiny small boat harbor of La Meule, on the south coast of the island.

Photo courtesy Robert Carceller.

on the Île d'Yeu

Photo courtesy Laurent Guerin [Flickr]

Located at the end of the jetty on the west side of the entrance tFR118o the Rivière de Vie and the inner harbor of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie.

Photo courtesy Hazel Tsoi [FR118A]

Located on a rocky reef called La Grande Barge, about 2.5 km west of the beach on the west side of Les Sables d'Olonne.

Photo courtesy Erwan [Flickr]

The Jetée de Saint-Nicolas is the breakwater mole sheltering the west side of the harbor entrance.

There is a very nice (if you understand French) explanation for the following series of 5 lights on Carceller's site.

Photo courtesy Erwan [Flickr]

Located at the end of the jetty on the east side of the harbor entrance at Les Sables d'Olonne.  This photo shows the Jetée de Saint-Nicolas on the right.

Photo courtesy Yann Guimond [Carceller]

The Rue des Deux Phares (Street of the Two Lighthouses) joins this lighthouse to the former front light, L'Estacade (see above).

Photo courtesy Ann-Marie Roussel [Carceller]

The lighthouse guards the entrance to the Pertuis Breton, the sound sheltered by the Île de Ré. Located on a prominent point of land on the west side of La-Tranche-sur-Mer.

Photo courtesy John Cristophe Fichou [PharesFrance]

The lighthouse stands adjacent to the late seventeenth century Citadelle de St.-Martin-de-Ré, one of the best preserved French fortifications of that era and a popular tourist attraction. Located in St.-Martin-de-Ré about 7 km west of La Flotte on the north side of the island.

Photo courtesy Caro2000 [Flickr]

The Fier d'Ars is the entrance channel to Ars-en-Ré from the lagoon to the north. Located on the shoreline north of Ars-en-Ré.

Photo courtesy Amy Clendenin [Flickr]

The original light was a fish-oil lamp in a stone lantern. Following bitter complaints from mariners, this apparatus was replaced in 1736 by a stronger lamp in a cast iron lantern. Reflectors were added in 1777 and replaced in 1820.

Photo courtesy Sarah East [Flickr]

Les Baleines (1854)

One of the most important French lighthouses, this magnificent tower was built by Jean-Baptiste Mady of La Rochelle. Today it is one of France's best known and most visited lighthouses. Located on the Pointe des Baleines (Point of Whales), the westernmost point of the Île de Ré. Site open, tower open for climbing daily year-round.

photo courtesy Steff & Kate [Flickr]

This lighthouse and its neighbor Le Lavardin are two of the first French lighthouses to be built in the open sea; both guard the approach to La Pallice and La Rochelle. Located about 1.2 km off the southeastern point of the Île de Ré. Good views from shore; with good timing it is possible to walk to the lighthouse at low tide.

Photo courtesy Jean-Michel Penin [Carceller]

This slender lighthouse rises straight out of the city's historic waterfront. Located on the Quai Vallin, at the east end of the inner harbor.

Photo courtesy trueblue2 [Flickr]

The island is accessible year-round by passenger ferry from Fouras; in the summer there is also ferry service from La Rochelle and Oléron. The lighthouse is located at the southern tip of the island.

Photo courtesy Jacques Froissant [Flickr]

The (<--) front light is on a small drum-shaped enclosure atop a corner of the fortress. The rear light (-->) is located at the eastern point of the island, about 2.5 km north of the bridge from the mainland.

Photos courtesy Isa Drilleau and J.C. Fichou [ PharesFrance]

The present lighthouse carries a historic hexagonal Fresnel lens, one of the oldest 1° lenses in use. Located at the northwestern tip of the Île d'Oléron, at the end of the D734 highway about 3 km west of St.-Denis-d'Oléron.

Photo by Mickaël Davaze [Carceller]

La Cotinière is a port in the center of the southwest side of the island. Located at the elbow of the Grand Jetée on the west side of the harbor.

Located at the end of the south jetty at La Cotinière.

Photo courtesy Armel [Flickr]

The lighthouse is built near the center of the Parc de Loisirs, a large park on the north bank of the Gironde just west of St.-Palais-sur-Mer. Located off the D25 highway about 6.5 km west of La Palmyre and 5 km northwest of Saint-Palais-sur-Mer.

Photo courtesy Robert Carceller

Located on the Pointe de Vallières, a promontory in St.-Georges-de-Didonne, about 5 km southeast of Royan.

Photo courtesy Mr Fenwick [Flickr]

A high-speed motorboat takes passengers to Cordouan in about 30 minutes. For information call the Office of Tourism of Verdon at 05 56 09 61 78.

Photo courtesy Thibault Grouas [Wikipedia]

Located in Verdun-sur-Mer, near the terminal for ferries crossing the Gironde from Royan.

Photo courtesy Alain Guyomard [Carceller]

Located on the point, about 2 km north of Port de Richard on the south side of the Gironde estuary.

Photo courtesy Stefan Dooreman [Trekearth]

The Île de Patiras is an island in the middle of the Gironde opposite Pauillac. About 3 km  long and 1.5 km wide, the island has been a various times a pirate base, leper colony, and place of exile for Jews from Bordeaux. Today it is the site of a large vineyard producing Bordeaux wine. Accommodations on the island are available. The lighthouse is near the northern tip of the island. The island is accessible only by boat; transportation from Pauillac can be arranged.

Photo courtesy Yann Le Souchu [phares]

Located at the end of the D106 highway in Cap-Ferret.  Not to be confused with FR212 which you will notice is spelled Ferrat.

Photo courtesy Jacques Froissant [Flickr] and the Cap Ferret Blog.