Lighthouse
La Fenêtre Lighthouse
Cancale · Ille-et-Vilaine
A former onshore lighthouse in Cancale, opened in 1863, linked to the growth of La Houle harbour and turned into a daymark after the harbour works of the 1930s.
- Suggested time
- 20 to 40 minutes, more with a walk around the harbour.
- Type of place
- Lighthouse
- Atmosphere
- Harbour, historic and part of the La Houle landscape.
- Getting there
- On foot from La Houle harbour and the La Fenêtre jetty.
Who this place suits
- With family
- 9/10
- As a couple
- 9/10
- With friends
- 9/10
- Solo
- 9/10
- With a dog
- 7/10
- Reduced mobility
- 8/10
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 La Fenêtre lighthouse stands at La Houle harbour in Cancale. Its history is closely tied to the boom in cod fishing in the mid-19th century. The first land was bought in 1860 and the lighthouse was opened on 1 March 1863. The light was first fixed red, about 10 m high. In 1913, the lamp was modernised and the light turned green. After the jetty was extended in 1936, the lighthouse lost its original role and became mainly a daymark. The building is now a heritage feature of the Cancale seafront.
What you will see
- Status in 2026: a decommissioned former lighthouse, kept as a heritage landmark.
- Visits: outside viewing.
- Height: the historic light was about 10 m high.
- Light: a former fixed light, red at first, then green after modernisation in 1913.
- Construction: planned from 1858, built in the early 1860s.
- First lit: 1 March 1863.
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- Heritage: listed in the French national heritage inventory.
- With children: yes, very easy with family.
- History: the lighthouse came with the strong growth of the harbour driven by the Newfoundland cod fishing.
- The lamp switched to incandescent lighting in 1913.
- The La Fenêtre jetty was finished in the late 19th century, then extended in 1936.
- The jetty extension made the lighthouse less necessary and led to its decommissioning.
- The lighthouse is in good condition, according to the heritage inventory.
- Transport: local transport to Cancale, then a walk.
Practical information
- Public transport
- Local transport to Cancale, then a walk.
- Services
- Many restaurants and services in La Houle
- Opening
- Freely visible from the harbour
- Parking
- Parking in Cancale under local rules, often tight in season
- Accessibility
- Good outside access on the seafront, depending on the cobbles and the local slope.
- Best time
- Morning for the harbour activity, or late afternoon for the bay.
- Prices
- Free to see from outside
- Nearby
- La Houle harbour, the Cale de l’Épi, the Pointe des Crolles, Cancale, the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel
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 early in the morning to photograph the lighthouse with the harbour activity.
- Combine it with the Cale de l’Épi and the La Houle promenade.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of lighthouse is it?
A former onshore lighthouse that became a daymark.
Is the lighthouse still in service?
No, it has been decommissioned and kept as a heritage landmark.
Can I visit the inside?
No, it can be seen from outside.
How high is it?
The historic light was about 10 m high.
When was it opened?
On 1 March 1863.
What was the light pattern?
A fixed light, red at first, then green after modernisation in 1913.
Stay in Cancale
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Read in the journal
- City guideWhat to do in Cancale: the complete guideThe oyster market at the port of La Houle, the oyster beds, the Pointe du Grouin, the Île des Landes, the beaches and the coastal path: what to do in and around Cancale.
- ChristmasWhat to do in Ille-et-Vilaine during the Christmas holidaysThe Rennes Christmas markets, Saint-Malo in winter, Cancale oysters, Vitré and Fougères: our ideas for the 2026 Christmas holidays in Ille-et-Vilaine.
- SeasonWhat to do in Ille-et-Vilaine during the All Saints’ holidaysThe Route du Rhum in Saint-Malo, Brocéliande for Samain, castles, the Lices market and Cancale oysters: our ideas for All Saints’ 2026 in Ille-et-Vilaine.
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