The Lighthouses of France (West)

Located on the north side of the Aber Ilbut entrance in Lanildut. (A 1856) ARLHS # FRA-113

Photo courtesy John Cristophe Fichou [PharesFrance]

Located about 500 m west of the Pointe de Trézien in the town of Trézien. (A 1873.9) ARLHS # FRA-750

Photo courtesy Ellen [Flickr]

Some of the Île d'Ouessant ferries also stop at Île Molène. ^ferry

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. (D 0974) ARLHS # FRA-526

Photo courtesy Dominique Resmon [Carceller]

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. (A 1850) ARLHS # FRA-324

Photo courtesy Doninque Resmon [Phares]

Located atop a bluff at the northern end of the Île d'Ouessant. (A 1842) ARLHS # FRA-036

Photo courtesy Camille Leroux [Flickr]

Located 900 m west of the westernmost point of the Île d'Ouessant. Accessible only by boat in some of the most dangerous seas anywhere. (A 1846) ARLHS # FRA-044

Photo courtesy S. Besnard [Flickr]

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. (A 1872) ARLHS # FRA-306

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. (A 1880) ARLHS # FRA-339

Photo courtesy Dominique Resmon [Carceller]

Located just off Pointe St.-Mathieu. Accessible only by boat, but easily seen from shore. (A 1884) ARLHS # FRA-533

Photo courtesy Dominique Resmon [Carceller]

front range for the light below. Located on an islet just offshore, connected to the mainland by an arched stone bridge, at the northern entrance to the Goulet (narrows) de Brest, about 6 km southwest of La Trinité. Site and tower closed (the location is part of a naval base), the best views are from the ferries from Brest to the Île d'Ouessant. This photo is cropped to fit this space. Take a look at her photo on Flickr if you want to see a really beautiful photo. (D 0790) ARLHS # FRA-032

Photo courtesy Ellen [Flickr]

rear range for Pointe du Petit Minou (see above) (D 0790.1) ARLHS # FRA-034

Photo courtesy Eric Arbras [Flickr]

Located at the end of the old breakwater on the north side of the harbor of Camaret. (D 0816) ARLHS # FRA-208

Photo courtesy C. Mauguier

Located about 7 km south southeast of Pointe St.-Mathieu and a similar distance west of the Pointe du Toulinguet. (D 0820) ARLHS # FRA-383

Photo courtesy Gwenn Fichou [PharesFrance]

Located on an island off the entrance to the harbor of Douarnenez, at the southeastern corner of the Baie de Douarnenez. Accessible only by boat. (D 0830) ARLHS # FRA-063

Photo courtesy Philippe Gourdelier [Carceller]

Located on a small island about 5 km northwest of the Pointe du Raz. Accessible only by boat. (D 0866) ARLHS # FRA-058

Photo courtesy marinas.com [marinas.com]

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. ^ferry (D 0856) ARLHS # FRA-066

Photo courtesy Claude Mauguier [chemineur]

The light behind is La Vieille, shown above. This light is easily confused with La Plate. ^{FR 67} (D 0872)

Photo courtesy François Floch [Carceller]

Located on a hill on the southeast side of Audierne. (D 0877.1)

Photo courtesy J. Evenat [Carceller]

The Feu de Kergadec (below) 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. (D 0877) ARLHS # FRA-447

Photo courtesy Mr. Fenwick [Flickr]

Located in Saint-Pierre, on the point of Penmarc'h, about 3 km southwest of the town of Penmarc'h. (D 0890) ARLHS # FRA-256

Photo courtesy Dirk van der Eecken [Flickr]

Guilvinec is a fishing port about 5 km southeast of Penmarc'h. The harbor opens to the west, with the entrance being a narrow opening between two moles. Located at the end of a spur off the north mole (D 0900) ARLHS # FRA-595

Photo courtesy Sextan.com [Carceller]

Located in the Guilvinec harbor. (D0898)

Photo courtesy Alexander Trabas [ListOfLights]

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. ARLHS # FRA-588

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). (D 0913.9) ARLHS # FRA-747

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. (D 0918) ARLHS # FRA-043

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. ARLHS # FRA-792

Photo courtesy Alain Guichaoua [Carceller]

Located on the east side of the Concarneau harbor entrance in Lanriec. (Note that the named light is in the background, behind the post in the water.) (D 0932) ARLHS # FRA-581

Photo courtesy Philippe Gourdelier [Carceller]

Located on a prominent point at Trévignon, near the yacht harbor. (D 0944) ARLHS # FRA-524

Photo courtesy Anke and Jens [seiten]

This plain modern lighthouse guides vessels into the port on the east side of Arzon. Located on the east side of the harbor. (D 1055.1) ARLHS # FRA-417

Located on a bluff overlooking the west side of the entrance to the narrow harbor of Merrien about 4 km south of Moëlan-sur-Mer. (D 0952) ARLHS # FRA-358

Photo courtesy Alexander Trabas [ListOfLights]

About 325 m north northeast of the front light. (The red light in the rear above.) (D 0954.1) ARLHS # FRA-265

Photo courtesy Alexander Trabas [ListOfLights]

Located at the end of the north breakwater enclosing the harbor of Port Tudy, on the north side of Île de Groix. ^Ile (D 0966) ARLHS # FRA-437

Photo courtesy Nomad Photography [Flickr]

Located on the waterfront on the east side of Lomener, a fishing port about 12 km southeast of Lorient. (D 0961) ARLHS # FRA-592

Photo courtesy Alexander Trabas [ListOfLights]

The original light, was atop the steeple of the Église de Saint-Louis; this historic church was destroyed in 1944. The modern light is on a 82 ft tower more than 1 km to the south. Located in the Arsenal, adjacent to the inner harbor of Lorient. (D 0971.1) ARLHS # FRA-347

Photo courtesy Alexander Trabas [ListOfLights]

The light was found to be not high enough, so the lighthouse was replaced by a new tower in 1913. ARLHS # FRA-798

This is the front light of the entrance range for Lorient. The rear lighthouse, in Port-Louis, has been replaced by a skeletal tower (see D0971.1). Located about 500 m southwest of the Port-Louis waterfront. Accessible only by boat. (D 0971) ARLHS # FRA-337

Photo courtesy Alexander Trabas [ListOfLights]

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). (D 1014)

Photo courtesy Yann Guimond [Carceller]

Located at the end of the breakwater, which encloses the southwest side of Port Maria's harbor. (D 1017) ARLHS # FRA-612

Port Haliguen now has 4 lights, the original light (above) and 3 new ones. This photo shows the new lights (including the North Jetee in the middle.) (D 1026.2)

Photo courtesy Phillippe Manguin [Flickr]

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. (D 1026) ARLHS # FRA-422

Located at the end of the extended breakwater on the south side of the harbor. ARLHS # FRA-423

Photo courtesy Guillaumeo [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. ARLHS # FRA-017

Photo courtesy Eric Guéret [Flickr]

Located beside the road on the east side of the Crac'h estuary, 560 m northwest of the front light. ARLHS # FRA-328

Photo courtesy Xavier Bonneyrat [Flickr]

Built in 1840, replaced in 1895.Located on Rue du Phare at the eastern entrance to the Golfe du Morbihan in Arzon. ARLHS # FRA-434

Located on the north jetty at the entrance to Crouesty harbor, on the east side of Arzon. (D 1055.4) ARLHS # FRA-662

Photo courtesy Alexander Trabas [ListOfLights]

Located at the end of the mole in St. Jacques-en-Sarzeau, about 8 km south southwest of Sarzeau on the Presqu'île de Rhuys. (D 1056) ARLHS # FRA-617

Photo courtesy Alexander Trabas [ListOfLights]

Until 1987 this was the front light of the Tréhiguier range. Located 500 m west of the Tréhiguier lighthouse on the south side of the Vilaine estuary. (D 1066) ARLHS # FRA-602

Photo courtesy Alexander Trabas [ListOfLights]

In 1990 the deactivated lighthouse was conveyed to the commune (township) of Pénestin, which has renovated the building as a museum with exhibits on the mussel fishery of the estuary. Located in the village of Tréhiguier on the south side of the Vilaine estuary. ARLHS # FRA-520

Located at the end of the jetty at Piriac-sur-Mer. ^photo (D 1074) ARLHS # FRA-124

Photo courtesy Alexander Trabas [ListOfLights]

Located at the end of the breakwater on the west side of harbor entrance in Le Croisic. (D 1088) ARLHS # FRA-519

Photo courtesy C. Thompson [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. ARLHS # FRA-627

Photo courtesy Sebastien LaGarde [Flickr]

Located on the west side of the harbor of Sauzon, a small port on the northwestern coast of Belle-Île. There are also lights on the NW Jetée and the SE Jetée. (D 1044) ARLHS # FRA-469

Photo courtesy Jean-Pierre Robin [Carceller]

Located near Kervilahouen village and Port Goulphar. (D 1032) ARLHS # FRA-301

Photo courtesy Remi Jouan [wikipedia]

Located at the end of the west jetty at the harbor of Hoëdic, on the north side of the island. ARLHS # FRA-797

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. (D 1080) ARLHS # FRA-052

Photo courtesy Joël Saulnier [PharesFrance]

Located at the end of the breakwater of Le Pouliguen (D 1098) ARLHS # FRA-741

Photo courtesy Jerome Phavorin [panoramio]

A 1-story masonry keeper's cottage, the light was shone through a window. Presumably the same keeper was responsible for the front light, which was displayed from a skeletal tower. Located atop the bluff on the southwest side of Saint-Nazaire. ARLHS # FRA-409

The lighthouse was deactivated in 1897 when changes in the channel required moving the range. Located at Bonne-Anse on the southwest side of Saint-Nazaire. ARLHS # FRA-509

Located on a rocky shoal, the Banc des Morées, about 1 km east of Ville-ès-Martin. Accessible only by boat. (D 1118) ARLHS # FRA-363

Photo courtesy Alexander Trabas [ListOfLights]

Located at the end of the east jetty protecting the south entrance to the Port de Saint-Nazaire. (D 1124) ARLHS # FRA-494

Photo courtesy Nicolas Feuillebois [Flickr]

Located at the end of the breakwater at the western end of the town waterfront, across the park from the Hotel de Ville, or town hall, on the south side of the Loire estuary about 12 km west of Saint-Nazaire. ARLHS # FRA-378

Photo courtesy Angela Bird [vendee]

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. ARLHS # FRA-003

Photo courtesy Denis Joly [Carceller]

Located at Pointe Saint-Gildas, marking the south side of the entrance to the Loire estuary, about 4 km west of La Plaine-sur-Mer. (D 1150) ARLHS # FRA-479

Photo courtesy Benoǐt Ducrot [Carceller]

Located at the entrance to the Port de Collet in Moustiers-en-Retz, about 3 km southwest of Bourgneuf-en-Retz. (D 1157) ARLHS # FRA-738

Photo courtesy Alexander Trabas [ListOfLights]

Located on the east side of the harbor entrance at L'Époids, about 3 km northwest of Beauvoir-sur-Mer. (D 1161) ARLHS # FRA-542

Photo courtesy Robert [Carceller]

Located on the northeastern corner of the island, about 2 km northeast of the Noirmoutier-en-l'Île waterfront. (D 1162) ARLHS # FRA-254

Photo courtesy Alain Guyomard [Carceller]

Located on the southwest coast of the Île de Noirmoutier, about 2 km west of L'Épine. (D 1170) ARLHS # FRA-637

Photo courtesy Alexander Trabas [ListOfLights]

Probably a duplicate entry of the light below (but listed twice by the ARLHS) ARLHS # FRA-802

Originally this was the rear light of the harbor entrance range. This lighthouse on the Ile d'Yeu stands among the houses in the centre of the island's capital Port-Joinville, fairly near the church. The island is reached from mainland France by ferry all year round from Fromentine. ARLHS # FRA-628

Photo courtesy Angela Bird [vendee]

Port-Joinville, originally called Port-Breton, is the point of arrival for ferries from the mainland. Located on the northwest jetty. (D 1180) ARLHS # FRA-629

Photo courtesy John Cristophe Fichou [PharesFrance]

Photo courtesy John Cristophe Fichou [PharesFrance]

It was constructed in 1950 to replace an earlier tower destroyed during World War II. Along with the Île d'Yeu lighthouse, it is one of two lighthouses on the island to have been designed by Maurice Durand; construction of both was completed in the same year.

located on the eponymous point on the Île d'Yeu which is at the extreme southwestern end of the island. (D 1186)

Photo courtesy Christophe Boxus [ListOfLights]

Located on the jetty not far from the Boisvinet light; the keeper's house is onshore nearby at 9 Rue Jean Cristau. ARLHS # FRA-636

Photo courtesy Hazel Tsoi [Flickr]

Located on the waterfront of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie. (D 1190) ARLHS # FRA-480

Photo courtesy Angela Bird [vendee]

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. (D 1198) ARLHS # FRA-010

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. ^carceller (D 1200) ARLHS # FRA-465

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. ^{FR 118H} (D 1204) ARLHS # FRA-466

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). (D 1207.1) ARLHS # FRA-442

Photo courtesy Ann-Marie Roussel [Carceller]

Located at the end of the mole at La Flotte, on the north side of the island. (D 1230) ARLHS # FRA-285

Photo courtesy Caro2000 [Flickr]

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. (D 1226) ARLHS # FRA-489

Photo courtesy Caro2000 [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. ARLHS # FRA-642

Photo courtesy Sarah East [Flickr]

According to Fichou, the light was moved to a metal post, which had to be moved again in 1960 to keep up with the shifting location of the channel. Located on the north side of Ars-en-Ré. (D 1223.1) ARLHS # FRA-283

Photo courtesy Alexander Trabas [ListOfLights]

Located on the breakwater mole and wharf enclosing the north side of the extended harbor of La Pallice. ARLHS # FRA-275

Located at the end of the north mole of La Rochelle's traditional harbor. ARLHS # FRA-112

Located on the south jetty of the Chef-de-Baie fishing harbor just southwest of the main harbor of La Pallice. (D 1248.5) ARLHS # FRA-655

Photo courtesy Alexander Trabas [ListOfLights]

This lighthouse and the Pointe de Chauveau lighthouse flank the approach to the harbor of La Pallice. Located about 1.5 km southwest of Chef-de-Baie, La Pallice. ^{FR 119C} (D 1243) ARLHS # FRA-646

Photo courtesy Alexander Trabas [ListOfLights]

This range guides ships into the historic inner harbor of La Rochelle. Located on the Rue de l'Armide on the west side of the inner harbor. (D 1251) ARLHS # FRA-803

Photo courtesy trueblue2 [Flickr]

Located on the east jetty of the Port des Minimes, a modern facility about 2.5 km southwest of the inner harbor of La Rochelle. (D 1254.1) ARLHS # FRA-574

Photo courtesy Alexander Trabas [ListOfLights]

Located on the west jetty of the Port des Minimes, off the end of the Quai de Lazaret. ARLHS # FRA-575

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. (D 1256) ARLHS # FRA-069

Photo courtesy Jacques Froissant [Flickr]

Located on the north side of the Charente entrance, about 3 km southeast of Fouras. ARLHS # FRA-644

Located on the north side of the Charente entrance, 600 m southeast of the front light. ARLHS # FRA-645

Located on the south bank of the Charente just above Port-des-Barques. (D 1264) ARLHS # FRA-415

Photo courtesy Arno Siering [ListOfLights]

Located on a reef (exposed at low tide) about 3.25 km northeast of Château d'Oléron. (D 1277) ARLHS # FRA-652

Photo courtesy Alexander Trabas [ListOfLights]

The rear light is located at the eastern point of the island, about 2.5 km north of the bridge from the mainland. (D 1278.1)

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

Located on the east jetty in St.-Denis-d'Oléron. (D 1274)

Photo courtesy elbert31 [Webshots]

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. (D 1270) ARLHS # FRA-234

Photo courtesy Mickaël Davaze [Carceller]

Located at the end of the south jetty at La Cotinière. (D 1286.6) ARLHS # FRA-571

Photo courtesy Armel [Flickr]

Located off the D25 coastal highway about 4 km west of La Palmyre. (D 1290) ARLHS # FRA-133

Photo courtesy tiseb [Flickr]

From 1852 to 1902 this was the rear light of a range, with La Falaise as the front light. Since 1960 it has served as a front light of a range with the rear light on the La Palmyre tower. Located close to the D25 highway on the west side of Saint-Palais-sur-Mer. (D 1294.1) ARLHS # FRA-503

Photo courtesy Thierry Veine [phares]

Located on a hill on the north side of Royan, 1.8 km northeast of the front lighthouse. (D 1312.1) ARLHS # FRA-804

Photo courtesy Arno Siering [ListOfLights]

Located on the Pointe de Vallières, a promontory in St.-Georges-de-Didonne, about 5 km southeast of Royan. ARLHS # FRA-476

Photo courtesy Mr Fenwick [Flickr]

Located on a promontory in the Forêt de Suzac, about 2.5 km southeast of St.-Georges-de-Didonne. ARLHS # FRA-333

Located in Verdun-sur-Mer, near the terminal for ferries crossing the Gironde from Royan. (D 1310.5) ARLHS # FRA-155

Photo courtesy Alain Guyomard [Carceller]

Located just behind the ocean beach, 1550 m southwest of the Pointe de Grave lighthouse in Verdun-sur-Mer. This light looks pretty small out here on the beach. Check carefully the size of the door before making assumptions about size. (D 1310) ARLHS # FRA-497

Photo courtesy Bernard Caunésil [Carceller]

Located in the middle of the Gironde about 3 km southeast of Saint-Estèphe and 2650 m north of the Île de Patiras lighthouse. Accessible only by boat; there should be good views from the riverside D2 highway south of Saint-Estèphe. ARLHS # FRA-745

Located on a dune behind the ocean beach about 6 km south of Hourtin-Plage. There are two identical nearly towers (notated Nord and Sud). (D 1372) ARLHS # FRA-105

Photo courtesy Georges Schultz [wikipedia]

Located at the end of the D106 highway in Cap-Ferret. Not to be confused (like I did) with FR494 which you will notice is spelled Ferrat. ^{FR 494} (D 1378) ARLHS # FRA-226

Photo courtesy Jacques Froissant [Flickr]

Located adjacent to the wooden pier (estacade) on the south side of the entrance to Capbreton. (D 1386) ARLHS # FRA-808

Photo courtesy David Sherwood [Flickr]

Located in the estuary, off the south bank; probably visible from the Avenue de l'Adour, which runs close to the bank. (D 1387.8) ARLHS # FRA-088

Photo courtesy ondacaracola [Flickr]

Located a few feet off the south side of the Rivière de l'Adour just inside the entrance. ARLHS # FRA-813

Photo courtesy Alexander Trabas [ListOfLights]

Located atop a bluff at Guéthary, about 8 km southwest of Biarritz. (D 1413.1)

Photo courtesy Alexander Trabas [ListOfLights]

Located on the heights of the point, beyond the end of the Boulevard Thiers in Saint-Jean-de-Luz. (D 1414) ARLHS # FRA-473

Located on the south shore of the bay a short distance east of the entrance, in Saint-Jean-de-Luz. (D 1418) ARLHS # FRA-482

Photo courtesy DM [Flickr]

Located atop a steep bluff near the point of land at the east end of the bay, about 3 km northwest of Ciboure. (D 1424) ARLHS # FRA-470

Photo courtesy courtecuisse [Webshots]