Lighthouse
Port-Navalo Lighthouse
Arzon · Morbihan
A 21 m lighthouse at the entrance to the Gulf of Morbihan, in its current form since the late 19th century, with a sector light visible for 14.4 miles.
- Suggested time
- 30 minutes to 1 h 30 with the walk.
- Type of place
- Lighthouse
- Atmosphere
- Maritime, lively and strategic.
- Getting there
- Easy access in Port-Navalo; view it from outside, from the point and the harbour.
Who this place suits
- With family
- 10/10
- As a couple
- 10/10
- With friends
- 9/10
- Solo
- 9/10
- With a dog
- 8/10
- Reduced mobility
- 9/10
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 Port-Navalo lighthouse stands on the point that closes the eastern entrance to the Gulf of Morbihan. A first lighthouse was built in 1840. A new 21 m tower followed in 1894, attached to the keeper’s house and the old lighthouse. The DIRM gives a range of 14.4 miles and a light with three grouped occultations and six coloured sectors. The lighthouse was electrified in 1930 and automated in 1982. It is not regularly open to visitors, but its surroundings offer a major maritime panorama.
What you will see
- Town: Arzon.
- Visits: not regularly open; you can see it from outside.
- Height: 21 m for the current tower.
- Range: 14.4 nautical miles.
- Light: three grouped occultations every 12 seconds.
- Colour: six coloured sectors.
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- Built: first lighthouse in 1840, second tower in 1894.
- Automation: 1982.
- Heritage: a major maritime landmark at the entrance to the gulf.
- With children: excellent for families.
- History: the site keeps two generations of towers, the old lighthouse and the current one.
- The old lighthouse is about 10 m high.
- The first fuel was vegetable oil, then paraffin from the late 19th century.
- Electrified in 1930.
Practical information
- Getting there
- By road and local links, with many boat departures
- Public transport
- By road and local links, with many boat departures.
- Services
- Restaurants, harbour, piers and shops nearby
- Opening
- Surroundings open all year
- Parking
- In Port-Navalo, very busy in summer
- Pets
- Yes, on a lead, depending on local rules
- Accessibility
- Good outdoor access in several parts of the harbour and the point
- Safety
- Take care on the quays, the rocks and in areas of strong current
- Best time
- Late afternoon, or when the tide brings strong currents
- Photography
- Excellent with the entrance to the gulf, the boats and the lighthouse
- Prices
- Free to see from outside
- Ideal for
- Families, photographers, sailors, couples, outdoor wheelchair access
- Nearby
- Port du Crouesty, the Petit Mont, the Pointe de Kerpenhir, the Gulf of Morbihan, Locmariaquer
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.
- Check the tide to watch the currents at the entrance to the gulf.
- Combine it with a cruise on the gulf or a visit to the Petit Mont.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of lighthouse is it?
A coastal sector lighthouse.
Is the lighthouse still in service?
Yes, it is an automated working lighthouse.
How high is it?
21 m for the current tower.
What is its range?
14.4 nautical miles.
What is the light pattern?
Three grouped occultations every 12 seconds.
What colour is the light?
It has six coloured sectors.
Stay in Arzon
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Read in the journal
- ChristmasWhat to do in Morbihan during the Christmas holidaysChristmas in Vannes, the Pont-Scorff light trail, Rochefort-en-Terre lit up and Carnac in winter: our ideas for the 2026 Christmas holidays in Morbihan.
- SeasonWhat to do in Morbihan during the All Saints’ holidaysThe Carnac alignments open to walk among, the Gulf of Morbihan, castles, the wild coast and Lorient: our ideas for All Saints’ 2026 in Morbihan.
- Region guideWhat to do in the Gulf of MorbihanThe Île aux Moines, the Île d’Arz, the Gavrinis cairn, Port-Navalo, Locmariaquer, Vannes and Suscinio: the guide to visiting the Gulf of Morbihan, its islands and its shores.
Traveller reviews
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Photograph: PIERRE ANDRE LECLERCQ · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons