Lighthouse
Eckmühl Lighthouse
Penmarc’h · Finistère
A monumental 65 m lighthouse in Penmarc’h, built in 1897, with 307 steps and a 360-degree view over the Pays Bigouden.
- Suggested time
- 1 h to 1 h 30.
- Type of place
- Lighthouse
- Atmosphere
- Monumental, elegant and panoramic.
- Getting there
- By road to Saint-Pierre, Penmarc’h. Climb during opening periods.
Who this place suits
- With family
- 8/10
- As a couple
- 10/10
- With friends
- 9/10
- Solo
- 8/10
- With a dog
- 3/10
- 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 Eckmühl lighthouse has towered over the Pointe de Penmarc’h since 1897. Its tower of Kersanton stone is 65 m high and has 307 steps. Its light is said to reach about 50 km. Day and night visits are organised depending on the season. In October 2026, it was temporarily closed to the public until 20 October for military activities.
What you will see
- Town: Penmarc’h, Finistère.
- Status: a working lighthouse.
- Visits: usually open to visitors; check the opening periods.
- Built in 1897.
- Height: 65 m.
- Steps: 307.
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- Range: about 50 km.
- With children: yes, if they can climb more than 300 steps.
- Heritage: a major landmark of the Bigouden heritage.
- History: Penmarc’h’s iconic lighthouse, funded by a bequest from the Marquise de Blocqueville.
- The tower is built of Kersanton stone.
- The platform offers a 360-degree view.
- Night visits are offered in summer, with limited places.
- A special visit can include the hall of honour.
Practical information
- Getting there
- By car, bike or local transport
- Public transport
- By car, bike or local transport.
- Services
- Crêperies and bistros nearby
- Parking
- In the Saint-Pierre area
- Accessibility
- The top cannot be reached without stairs
- Best time
- Late afternoon, or a scheduled night visit
- Photography
- Excellent from the foot of the tower and from the gallery
- Prices
- Check the current price before you go
- Nearby
- The Pointe de Penmarc’h, Saint-Pierre, the Pointe de la Torche
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.
- Book the summer night visit early: places are limited.
- Check the opening times before you go, as the lighthouse can close for exceptional reasons.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of lighthouse is it?
A large coastal lighthouse open to visitors.
Is the lighthouse still in service?
Yes, it is a working lighthouse.
Can I visit the lighthouse?
Yes, usually, during its opening periods. Check before you go.
How high is it?
65 m.
How many steps are there?
307.
What is its range?
About 50 km.
Stay in Penmarc’h
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Read in the journal
- DepartmentWhat to do in FinistèreThe tip of Brittany, from the Pays des Abers to the Bay of Concarneau: lighthouses, coves and towns of character.
- ChristmasWhat to do in Finistère during the Christmas holidaysChristmas at Trévarez, the Quimper Christmas village, Locronan lit up, Océanopolis and wild headlands: our ideas for the 2026 Christmas holidays in Finistère.
- SeasonWhat to do in Finistère during the All Saints’ holidaysThe Pointe du Raz, Océanopolis, the Huelgoat forest, spring tides and the legends of the Monts d’Arrée: our ideas for All Saints’ 2026 in Finistère.
Traveller reviews
Nobody has reviewed this place yet.
Photographs: Jeanne Menjoulet from Paris, France · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Yann35 · BMR & MAM · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Henri Camus · CC BY 1.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Daniel Larvor · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons