Héaux de Bréhat Lighthouse, Pleubian / large de Bréhat: lighthouse in Brittany

A 56.60 m tower on the Épées de Tréguier reefs, built from 1837, partly blown up in 1944 and then raised higher after the war.

Suggested time: 30 minutes to 1 hour of watching, longer as part of an outing
Type of place: Great lighthouse at sea, listed as a historic monument
Atmosphere: Monumental, historic, isolated and oceanic
Getting there: A lighthouse at sea north of Bréhat. Seen from the Trégor coast, the Sillon de Talbert and some boat trips around Bréhat.

Who this place suits

With family: 7/10
As a couple: 8/10
With friends: 8/10
Solo: 9/10
With a dog: 6/10
Reduced mobility: 3/10

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 Héaux de Bréhat lighthouse belongs to the first generation of great towers built directly at sea. Set on the Épées de Tréguier reefs, near the tip of the Sillon de Talbert, it marks the west of the bay of Saint-Brieuc and the entrance to the Trieux channel towards Bréhat. A first temporary light was lit in 1832 on a wooden scaffold, which storms quickly weakened. Construction of a stone tower began in 1837 and was completed in 1840. The original tower, 47.70 metres tall, was first lit on 1 February 1840. In August 1944, German troops blew up the top. The rebuilding from 1947 to 1949 came with a major raising: the tower is now about 56.60 metres tall. The current light shows four grouped flashes every 15 seconds, with white, red and green sectors. Electrified in 1979, the lighthouse is automated, and the last keepers left on 9 July 1982. Listed as a historic monument since 2011, it cannot be visited. Watching it from the coast or from a boat nevertheless shows what a feat its construction was and how exposed the site is.

What you will see

Status: not open to visitors.
Height: 56.60 m.
Light: four grouped flashes every 15 seconds.
Range: 15 miles in the white sectors, 11.5 miles in the red and green sectors.
Optics: horizon light, 0.50 m focal length; 180 W lamp.
Electrified in 1979, automated in 1982.

Show 1 more point

History: April 1831, decision to install a temporary light; 1 December 1832, light lit on a wooden scaffold; 1837 to 1840, the great stone tower is built; 1 February 1840, the tower’s first light; 1903, a white light flashing every four seconds; 1930, a horizon sector light; August 1944, the top blown up; 1947 to 1949, rebuilt and raised; 1979, electrification; 9 July 1982, the last keepers leave; 23 May 2011, listed as a historic monument.

Practical information

Getting there: A lighthouse at sea north of Bréhat. Seen from the Trégor coast, the Sillon de Talbert and some boat trips around Bréhat
Pets: Rules can be strict in the protected natural areas, especially around the Sillon de Talbert
Accessibility: No access to the lighthouse. Accessibility depends on the viewpoint on land or the boat used
With family: Interesting alongside a visit to Bréhat or the Sillon de Talbert, especially if you tell the story of its construction
Safety: The coastal viewpoints can be very exposed. On the Sillon de Talbert, follow local instructions, watch the tides and protect the environment
Best time: Clear weather, calm sea and good visibility
Photography: From the coast, a telephoto lens is strongly recommended. Views with the Sillon de Talbert, the reefs or boats give the tower a better sense of scale
Nearby: The Sillon de Talbert, the Île de Bréhat, the Trieux estuary, Lézardrieux, Paimpol

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.

Show 7 more tips

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.
On the foreshore, check the tide times and leave a good margin for the way back.
Combine the lighthouse with the Sillon de Talbert or a trip to Bréhat.

Frequently asked questions

Can I visit the Héaux de Bréhat lighthouse?

No. It is a lighthouse at sea north of Bréhat, seen from the Trégor coast, the Sillon de Talbert and some boat trips around Bréhat.

How much time should I allow?

30 minutes to 1 hour of watching, longer as part of an outing.

What makes it special?

It is one of the great milestones in the French history of lighthouses at sea, at the entrance to the Trieux channel.

What is the atmosphere like?

Monumental, historic, isolated and oceanic.

When is the best time for photos?

From the coast, with a telephoto lens; views with the Sillon de Talbert, the reefs or boats give the tower a better sense of scale.

Is there any particular risk?

The coastal viewpoints can be very exposed. On the Sillon de Talbert, follow local instructions, watch the tides and protect the environment.

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Photograph: Colsu · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons