Trézien Lighthouse, Plouarzel: lighthouse in Brittany

500 m from the shore, this 37.20 m tower, first lit in 1894, guides ships through the Chenal du Four and opens a panorama 86.20 m above the sea to the public.

Suggested time: 1 h to 1 h 30, up to half a day with the Pointe de Corsen and the Aber Ildut.
Type of place: Inland directional lighthouse open to visitors
Atmosphere: Technical, panoramic, rural and maritime.
Getting there: Trézien, in the town of Plouarzel. Road access and parking in the area. The lighthouse is open to the public according to the local calendar.

Who this place suits

With family: 9/10
As a couple: 8/10
With friends: 8/10
Solo: 9/10
With a dog: 7/10
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

The Trézien lighthouse stands out at once for its position: it was built about 500 metres from the shore, 1.5 kilometres from the Pointe de Corsen. This choice is no accident. Its directional light, aligned with the Kermorvan light, helps ships through the Chenal du Four, a major sea passage between the Atlantic and the Channel. The 37.20 m tower carries its light 86.20 m above the sea. Its tapering shaft rests on a base of Aber-Ildut granite and ends in a corbelled gallery supporting the balustrade. The lighthouse was first lit on 1 January 1894. After several generations of fuels, it was electrified in 1963, automated in 1984 and opened to the public in 1987. Its white directional light shows two grouped occultations every six seconds and has a range of 22 miles. In 2008, the town of Plouarzel bought the keeper’s house and set up a welcome area with an exhibition on the buoyage of the Chenal du Four. The visit is especially interesting for understanding what a leading line is, and why a lighthouse can be built far from the water. From the top, the view links Trézien to the Pointe de Corsen, the Iroise Sea and the shipping routes offshore.

What you will see

Status: open to visitors according to the calendar.
Height: 37.20 m.
Elevation: 86.20 m above the sea.
Light: white directional light with two grouped occultations every 6 seconds.
Range: 22 miles.
Lamp: 35 W LED.

Show 9 more points

1 January 1894: the lighthouse is first lit.
1900: a paraffin vapour incandescent burner is installed.
15 August 1944: a shell passes through the tower and damages the granite staircase.
1946: a temporary light is brought back into service.
1963: electrification.
1984: automation.
1987: opening to the public.
2008: the town buys the keeper’s house and creates a welcome area about buoyage.
With children: very suitable for families curious about how lighthouses work; the buoyage exhibition complements the climb well.

Practical information

Pets: Check with the welcome desk whether dogs are allowed inside; the surrounding walks are fine, subject to local rules
Accessibility: The outside and the welcome area may be easier to access than the tower; the climb is by stairs
Safety: No direct exposure to the swell, but you must follow the instructions and be at ease on a lighthouse staircase
Best time: Morning or late afternoon, in clear weather
Photography: Its inland position allows unusual shots with fields and houses in the foreground; from the top, focus on the views of the Iroise Sea and the Pointe de Corsen
Nearby: The Pointe de Corsen, the Aber Ildut, Plouarzel, the Kermorvan lighthouse, Le Conquet, the GR34

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.
Check the opening calendar before you go.
Combine the climb with the Pointe de Corsen, the westernmost point of mainland France.

Frequently asked questions

Can I visit the Trézien lighthouse?

Yes, according to the local opening calendar.

How much time should I allow?

1 h to 1 h 30, up to half a day with the Pointe de Corsen and the Aber Ildut.

Why is it built so far from the sea?

Its directional light is aligned with the Kermorvan light to guide ships through the Chenal du Four.

How high is it?

37.20 m, with its light 86.20 m above the sea.

Is the visit free?

Seeing it from outside is free; the inside visit is paid, according to the calendar.

When is the best time for photos?

Morning or late afternoon in clear weather; its inland position gives unusual shots with fields in the foreground.

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