Lighthouse
Nividic Lighthouse
Ouessant · Finistère
A 35.55 m lighthouse at sea on the Men Garo reef, about 100 m off the west coast of Ouessant, with a quick light and a 6-mile range.
- Suggested time
- 30 to 60 minutes at the Pointe de Pern.
- Type of place
- Lighthouse
- Atmosphere
- Technical, wild and very exposed.
- Getting there
- A lighthouse at sea, not open to visitors. Seen from the Pointe de Pern on Ouessant.
Who this place suits
- With family
- 7/10
- As a couple
- 10/10
- With friends
- 9/10
- Solo
- 9/10
- With a dog
- 6/10
- Reduced mobility
- 5/10
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
Nividic stands off the tip of the Pointe de Pern, on the Men Garo reef, about 100 m from the west coast of Ouessant. The DIRM gives a height of 35.55 m. The current light gives nine grouped quick flashes and has a range of 6 miles. The lighthouse was designed in particular to strengthen sound and light signals in the frequent fogs at the western tip of the island. Its technical history is famous for the pylons and cables that once supplied it with power from the shore.
What you will see
- Location: Ouessant, Pointe de Pern.
- Visit: not open to visitors.
- Height: 35.55 m.
- Range: 6 nautical miles.
- Light: nine grouped quick flashes, white in its current setup.
- Construction: a complex 20th-century build, linked to the pylons of the Pointe de Pern.
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- Operation: automated, no public visits.
- Heritage: a major heritage lighthouse of Ouessant.
- Prices 2026: free viewing from the Pointe de Pern.
- Children: yes, with children who can walk, and close supervision on the coast.
- History: Nividic was designed to reduce the risk of ships running aground in the fogs off western Ouessant.
- The tower is octagonal, on an egg-shaped base, on the Men Garo reef about 100 m from the coast.
- The current light uses low-power LEDs, and its range is deliberately limited to 6 miles.
- Its historic role included an important function in fog.
- Nividic is one of the great technical symbols of the lighthouses of Ouessant.
Practical information
- Getting there
- A lighthouse at sea, not open to visitors. Seen from the Pointe de Pern on Ouessant
- Public transport
- Ouessant by boat or plane, then bike or local transport
- Services
- Very few at the Pointe de Pern
- Opening
- No access inside
- Parking
- Some distance away depending on Ouessant’s facilities, then a walk
- Pets
- A lead is recommended on the natural site
- Accessibility
- Can be seen from some areas; the full path is not easy
- Pushchair
- Not very suitable on the natural paths of the Pointe de Pern
- Safety
- Cliffs, wind and waves; stay on the safe paths
- Best time
- Late in the day or in clear weather, with a readable sea
- Photography
- Very striking, with the lighthouse close to the coast and the rocks of Pern
- Ideal for
- Photographers, technical history, hikers, lighthouse lovers
- Nearby
- The Pointe de Pern, Créac’h, the Lighthouse and Beacon Museum, Ouessant, La Jument
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.
- Come to the Pointe de Pern before sunset.
- Bring a moderate telephoto lens: the lighthouse is fairly close to the coast.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of lighthouse is it?
A lighthouse at sea, very close to the coast.
Is the lighthouse still in service?
Yes, it is an automated working lighthouse.
How tall is it?
35.55 m.
What is its light range?
6 nautical miles.
What is the light’s rhythm?
Nine grouped quick flashes.
What colour is the light?
White, in its current setup.
See also the lighthouses in Ouessant.
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Traveller reviews
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Photograph: Jean-Claude Hervé · CC BY-SA 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons