Le Four Lighthouse, Le Croisic: visit, history and practical information

3.5 nautical miles west of Le Croisic, a 27.10 m cylindrical tower first lit in 1822 and recognisable by its diagonal black and white bands.

Suggested time: 20 minutes to 1 hour from a viewpoint, longer as part of a boat trip.
Type of place: Major offshore lighthouse, classified historic monument
Atmosphere: Historic, offshore, graphic and isolated.
Getting there: Offshore lighthouse about 3.5 nautical miles west of Le Croisic. View it from the Côte Sauvage or from a suitable boat. No tourist access to the lighthouse.

Who this place suits

With family: 7/10
As a couple: 8/10
With friends: 8/10
Solo: 9/10
With a dog: 5/10
Reduced mobility: 3/10

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 Le Four lighthouse stands about 3.5 nautical miles west of the Pointe du Croisic, on a rocky plateau that is dangerous for shipping. Building began in 1816 and was completed in 1821. The first light was lit on 1 January 1822, making it one of the major historic lighthouses on the Loire-Atlantique coast. The tower was raised in 1846 to make the signal more visible. Painted white from 1884, it was given its diagonal black and white bands in 1935, which make it instantly recognisable by day. Switched off during the Second World War, the lighthouse was relit on 13 August 1945. The tower is now 27.10 metres high. The main light gives one white flash every five seconds, with a range of 17 nautical miles. The rotating optic has four panels and uses a 29-watt LED. The lighthouse has been a classified historic monument since October 2012. Standing out at sea, it is not open to visitors. You can see it from the Le Croisic coast, or from a boat when visibility and sea conditions let you make out the diagonal bands of the tower.

What you will see

Type of site: major offshore lighthouse, classified historic monument.
Visits: not open to visitors.
Height: 27.10 m.
Light: one white flash every 5 seconds.
Range: 17 nautical miles.
Optic: rotating, with four panels and a 0.15 m focal length.

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Lamp: 29 W LED.
First lit: 1 January 1822.
1816: building begins.
1821: the first tower is completed.
1846: the tower is raised.
1884: the tower is painted white.
1935: the diagonal black and white bands are adopted.
Second World War: the light is switched off.
13 August 1945: the light is relit.
2011: listed as a historic monument.
3 October 2012: classified as a historic monument.

Practical information

Pets: Depends on the viewpoint chosen on the coast
Accessibility: No access to the lighthouse; some viewpoints in Le Croisic are easier to reach than the rocky parts of the Côte Sauvage
Safety: The Le Four plateau should not be approached by boat without experience and suitable conditions; from the coast, do not walk out onto the rocks in heavy swell
Best time: Clear weather, calm sea and good visibility
Nearby: The Côte Sauvage of Le Croisic, the Tréhic lighthouse, the port of Le Croisic, the Océarium, Batz-sur-Mer, Pen-Bron

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.
From the coast, a telephoto lens is the best way to bring out the black and white bands; at sea, include a boat or the distant coast to show the scale.
Binoculars are often more useful than a risky attempt to get closer.
Combine the outing with the Côte Sauvage of Le Croisic and the Tréhic lighthouse.

Frequently asked questions

Can I visit the lighthouse?

No. It stands out at sea, about 3.5 nautical miles west of Le Croisic, and can be seen from the Côte Sauvage or from a suitable boat.

How much time should I allow?

20 minutes to 1 hour from a viewpoint, longer as part of a boat trip.

What is the main interest?

Seeing one of the oldest great offshore lighthouses in Loire-Atlantique, and understanding the role of the Le Four plateau in the approaches to the Guérande peninsula.

What is the best way to photograph it?

The black and white bands are the main graphic feature. From the coast, use a long lens. At sea, include a boat or the distant coast to show the scale.

Is there any particular risk?

The Le Four plateau should not be approached by boat without experience and suitable conditions. From the coast, do not walk out onto the rocks in heavy swell.

Is the lighthouse still in service?

Yes, its light gives one white flash every 5 seconds, with a range of 17 nautical miles.

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