Lighthouse
Pen Men Lighthouse
Île de Groix · Morbihan
The great lighthouse of western Groix, 27.60 m tall, first lit in 1839, with a white light of four flashes and an official range of 30 nautical miles.
- Suggested time
- 45 minutes to 1 h 30 with the headland and the heathland.
- Type of place
- Lighthouse
- Atmosphere
- Wild, powerful and rich in heritage.
- Getting there
- On foot or by bike across Groix to the Pointe de Pen Men. The inside is closed outside special events.
Who this place suits
- With family
- 8/10
- As a couple
- 10/10
- With friends
- 9/10
- Solo
- 9/10
- With a dog
- 8/10
- 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
Pen Men stands in the north-west of Groix. The maritime authority (DIRM) gives a total height of 27.60 m, a base elevation of 36 m and a range of 30 nautical miles. Its white light gives four grouped flashes every 25 seconds. A first lighthouse project dates back to the Revolution, but the present lighthouse came into service in 1839. The square tower is part of a group of keepers’ housing and technical buildings. The site has been listed as a historic monument since 2015. The lighthouse remains maritime equipment, and the inside is not open to regular visits outside special local events.
What you will see
- Location: Groix.
- Status: working lighthouse; no regular visits inside, the outside is the thing to see.
- Height: 27.60 m.
- Range: 30 nautical miles.
- Light: four grouped white flashes every 25 seconds.
- Construction: first project in the 18th century, present lighthouse built in the 1830s; in service in 1839; automated, still a working technical site.
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- Heritage: listed as a historic monument since 31 December 2015, with its enclosure and outbuildings.
- Prices 2026: viewing from outside is free.
- Children: yes, with children who can walk.
- History: the idea of a great lighthouse on Groix dates from the late 18th century, but the present lighthouse was built in the 19th century after a first attempt failed.
- The base elevation is 36 m, and the light is more than 60 m above the highest tides.
- The lighthouse is a square tower attached to a rectangular building, with a foghorn building to the west; the historic foghorn could be heard about 2 miles away.
- The lighthouse grounds cover more than 11,000 m².
- Pen Men is Groix’s great landfall light; its 30-mile range makes it one of the most powerful lights in the area.
Practical information
- Getting there
- On foot or by bike across Groix to the Pointe de Pen Men. The inside is closed outside special events
- Public transport
- Boat to Groix, then bike, walking or local transport
- Services
- Very few services at the headland
- Opening
- The natural surroundings are accessible according to the regulations; the inside is not open regularly
- Parking
- Groix is best explored by bike or on foot.
- Pets
- A lead is recommended in the nature reserve
- Pushchair
- Not very suitable on the natural paths
- Safety
- Cliffs and wind; stay on the paths
- Best time
- Late in the day, in clear light
- Photography
- Exceptional with the wild coast of Groix
- Ideal for
- Photographers, heritage lovers, hikers, sunset
- Nearby
- The François Le Bail nature reserve, the Pointe de Pen Men, Port Tudy, the Pointe des Chats
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 late in the day for the light on the heathland.
- Allow enough time to walk in the reserve around the lighthouse.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of lighthouse is it?
A landfall lighthouse with keepers’ housing.
Is the lighthouse still in service?
Yes, it is a working lighthouse.
Can I visit the inside?
There are no regular visits inside; the outside is the thing to see.
How tall is it?
27.60 m.
What is its light range?
30 nautical miles.
Stay in Île de Groix
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Traveller reviews
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Photograph: Pline · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons