Particularly dense along the breton coasts, the lighthouse network boasts several great stars like Ar Men, Les Pierres-Noires, or Les Poulains, but also pretty little lighthouses, specificity of breton coasts, just as photogenic as the big lighthouse towers. Little known, Tévennec, situated on the east side of the Sein Island, had such bad luck in store for its guardians that it was suspected to be baleful, or even haunted. No need to call upon the devil, though, to explain the roughness of living conditions inside these isolated buildings, frequently harassed by the elements. From “Hells”( lighthouses isolated in the open sea) to purgatory (the islands) to paradise (dry land) the  lighthouse guardians' solitude was more than just metaphysical. For a long time, it has represented a surprising “privilege” reserved for disabled ex-servicemen and other traumatized soldiers of World War I. Nowadays; general automation makes human presence useless aboard these ocean look-out posts.  In 2004, Kéréon, the “Palace of the sea”, the last lived-in open sea lighthouse, definitly closed its doors over its magnificent woodwork and its compass rose made in ebony and mahogany. Nobody lives there any more.

Among the around fifty breton lighthouses, only few are opened to visitors. Courageous climbers (the Eckmühl lighthouse in Penmarc'h has 307 steps) are offered matchless, stunning views. Brittany, the most marked-out region in France, has about 15 lighthouses erected in the open sea. Sailor's familiar companions, they have even made their way into the fishermen's current language. For example, off the Quiberon peninsula, you would not say you got sunburned, but you thought you were the Teignouse lighthouse: well yes, white with a red nose!

The lighthouse and beacon roundtrip
 The Iroise Sea conceals an exceptional concentration of remarkable lighthouses. Meet these guardians of the coastlines from Brest to Brignogan, along the coast of legends, starting with the octagonal tower of the Portzic. The Petit Minou towers on a rocky overhang situated at the exit of Brest harbor's bottleneck. To enjoy a panoramic view over the Pointe du Raz, Molène and Ouessant, a visit of the Saint Mathieu lighthouse, set in the middle of an abbey's ruins, is a must! The Kermorvan lighthouse is watching out from the far end of the Conquet peninsula.  Lining up with the last two rises the highest of all lighthouses in Europe (82, 5 m), the Ile Vierge, whose whole interior is covered in opaline blue. It operates by remote control the donjon lighthouse “Le Four” (in the category of “hells”), capable of causing waves up to 30 meters high. The other “lanterns” surrounding Ouessant are named La Jument, Kereon, LeStiff, Le Creac'h and Le Nividic. 

 Presently, only four lighthouses are opened to visitors on a regular basis in Brittany. They are situated in Finistère. Others are either completely closed or only exceptionally opened to visitors. For further information, call the tourist offices.

Phare de l'Ile Vierge
Visits from the beginning of April to the end of October
Informations at the Eco-museum in Plouguerneau: 02 98 04 70 93

Phare de Saint Mathieu (on dry land)
On week-ends and holidays during springtime and in September
every day in July and August
Information at the tourist office in Plougonvelin

Phare d'Eckmühl
From the beginning of April to the end of September, every day
Tourist office in Penmarc'h: 02 98 58 81 44

Phare de Trezien
Every day in July and August
Information: tourist office in Plouarzel: 02 98 89 69 46

Phare du Creac'h
The museum only is open to visitors from the beginning of April to the end of September, every day
Informations at the Center of interpretation of lighthouses in Ouessant: 02 98 48 80 70