Lighthouse
La Croix Lighthouse
Ploubazlanec · Côtes-d’Armor
A 13 m offshore lighthouse at the mouth of the Trieux, first lit in 1867, rebuilt after 1944 and paired with Bodic to guide ships up the channel.
- Suggested time
- A quick look, or part of a boat trip on the Trieux.
- Type of place
- Lighthouse
- Atmosphere
- Estuary, maritime and steeped in heritage.
- Getting there
- Offshore lighthouse, not open to visitors. View it from the shore or during an organised boat trip.
Who this place suits
- With family
- 3/10
- As a couple
- 9/10
- With friends
- 9/10
- Solo
- 8/10
- With a dog
- 2/10
- Reduced mobility
- 2/10
These scores are calculated from what the page records: official rating, facilities, difficulty, duration and location. They are a guide, not a substitute for contacting the venue, especially about accessibility.
About
The La Croix lighthouse stands at the mouth of the Trieux, between Ploubazlanec, Bréhat and the channel leading to Lézardrieux. The first lighthouse was lit on 15 October 1867. Its upper part was destroyed in 1944, then rebuilt in 1949. The tower, about 13 m high, has a crenellated silhouette that makes it look like a small medieval tower. Its white light is used together with the Bodic lighthouse to guide ships into the Trieux channel.
What you will see
- Name: La Croix lighthouse.
- Town or area: Ploubazlanec, at the mouth of the Trieux.
- Visits: not open to visitors.
- Height: about 13 m.
- Steps: not relevant, no public visits.
- Range: about 18 nautical miles.
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- Light: white occulting light, 4-second cycle.
- Colour: white.
- Construction: first lighthouse built in the mid-1860s, rebuilt in 1949.
- First lit: 15 October 1867.
- Automation: automated long ago, electrified in the 20th century.
- Heritage: a key part of the Trieux’s navigation heritage.
- With children: viewing from the coast or a boat, depending on conditions.
- History: the Trieux was fully equipped with leading lights in the second half of the 19th century.
- The full Trieux lighting system was developed between 1867 and 1869.
- La Croix works together with Bodic.
- The current tower keeps its recognisable crenellated silhouette.
- The post-war rebuilding kept the lighthouse’s original look.
- The lighthouse stands on the edge of the main Trieux channel.
- The lights answer the difficulty of a narrow, rocky channel.
- Transport: viewing from Ploubazlanec, Bréhat or a boat.
Practical information
- Public transport
- Viewing from Ploubazlanec, Bréhat or a boat.
- Services
- No services at the lighthouse
- Opening
- No public access inside
- Parking
- Not applicable at the lighthouse.
- Pets
- Depends on the boat operator
- Accessibility
- No public access to the lighthouse
- Safety
- Never try to land on your own
- Best time
- Good visibility, with the tide and light suited to your viewpoint
- Photography
- An excellent maritime subject in the estuary
- Prices
- No visits; boat trips, where available, are paid
- Ideal for
- Maritime heritage, photographers, sailing, the history of leading lights
- Nearby
- L’Arcouest, Bréhat, Lézardrieux, the Trieux estuary, Bodic
Tips on the spot
- Check the visit status on the day before you travel, and do not confuse access to the site, the foot of the lighthouse and the inside of the tower.
- For a lighthouse open to visitors, check the time of the last climb, not just the closing time.
- For a lighthouse at sea, only watch it from a boat run by a professional or from a safe viewpoint on land.
- Bring a windproof layer, even in summer; stairs and galleries can be slippery with rain or spray.
- With children, check the number of steps and any minimum age; with vertigo, the climb to the gallery is not for everyone.
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- Working lighthouses are maritime safety equipment: respect all restricted technical areas.
- For photos, use a wide angle at the foot of the lighthouse and a telephoto lens for lighthouses seen from a distance.
- On an island, check the last boat back before starting the visit.
- On cliffs, stay behind the barriers and on the paths; keep dogs on a lead in nature reserves.
- Visits can be cancelled at the last minute for safety reasons.
- Look for a viewpoint at L’Arcouest or on the banks of the Trieux.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of lighthouse is it?
An offshore leading light.
Is the lighthouse still in service?
Yes, it is an automated working lighthouse.
How high is it?
About 13 m.
What is its range?
About 18 nautical miles.
What is the light pattern?
White occulting light, 4-second cycle.
What colour is the light?
White.
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Traveller reviews
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Photograph: Barbetorte · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons