Kéréon Lighthouse: visit, history and practical information

A 45 m lighthouse at sea in the Fromveur passage, in service since 1916, famous for its exceptional interior and listed as a historic monument.

Suggested time: Depends on the boat trip.
Type of place: Lighthouse
Atmosphere: Prestigious, isolated and spectacular.
Getting there: A lighthouse at sea, with no public access. Seen from a boat or from Ouessant depending on visibility.

Who this place suits

With family: 2/10
As a couple: 10/10
With friends: 9/10
Solo: 8/10
With a dog: 1/10
Reduced mobility: 1/10

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

Kéréon stands on the Men Tensel rock, in the Fromveur passage south-east of Ouessant. DRAC records give a height of 45 m, first lighting in 1916 and automation in 2004. A bequest from Marguerite Lebaudy turned a plan for a simple turret into a great manned lighthouse. It has been listed as a historic monument since 2017 and is not open to the public.

What you will see

Status: automated working lighthouse.
Construction: in service on 25 October 1916; automated in 2004.
Height: 45 m, according to the DRAC.
Children: can be seen from a boat depending on conditions.
History: Marguerite Lebaudy’s bequest, worth 585,000 francs, paid for a far more ambitious lighthouse than the turret originally planned.
It stands on the Men Tensel rock, in the particularly dangerous Fromveur passage.

Practical information

Public transport: Boat to Ouessant or a boat trip
Services: None at the lighthouse
Opening: No access inside
Parking: Not applicable at the lighthouse.
Accessibility: No public access
Best time: Good visibility and a calm enough sea
Photography: A legendary lighthouse in the Fromveur
Prices: No visits; boat trips may be paid
Nearby: Ouessant, the Fromveur passage, Molène, La Jument lighthouse

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 8 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.
Read up on the history before you go to better understand the lighthouse.
Photograph the lighthouse from several distances.
For a lighthouse at sea that cannot be visited, choose a good viewpoint rather than trying to get close.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of lighthouse is it?

A lighthouse at sea.

Is the lighthouse still in service?

Yes, it is an automated working lighthouse.

How tall is it?

45 m.

Can I go inside?

No, there is no public access.

When was it built?

It came into service on 25 October 1916.

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Photographs: Julien Carnot · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Gzen92 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · dyonis · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Julien Carnot · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons