Lighthouse
Grands Cardinaux Lighthouse
Large de Hoëdic · Morbihan
A red and white 27 m tower completed in 1879 on the Cardinaux reef, with four grouped flashes every 15 seconds.
- Suggested time
- 20 min to 1 hour from a viewpoint, longer as part of a day on Hoëdic.
- Type of place
- Offshore lighthouse
- Atmosphere
- Island, technical, isolated and wild.
- Getting there
- An offshore lighthouse east-south-east of Hoëdic. Seen from a distance, from the island or from a suitable boat trip.
Who this place suits
- With family
- 7/10
- As a couple
- 8/10
- With friends
- 8/10
- Solo
- 9/10
- With a dog
- 6/10
- 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
East-south-east of Hoëdic, the Grands Cardinaux lighthouse marks the rocky reef of the same name and the approaches to the bay of Quiberon. It was decided in 1868, but the project changed over several years before final approval in 1875. The tower was completed in the summer of 1879, and the first light was lit on 1 January 1880. The slightly tapering tower, painted red and white, is 27 metres high. Its current light gives four grouped flashes every 15 seconds, with a range of 12.7 miles. It was automated on 30 November 1973 with the installation of a wind turbine, and the last two keepers then left. Registered as a historic monument since June 2020, it remains an offshore lighthouse closed to visitors. Its tourist appeal lies in watching it from Hoëdic or from a suitable boat trip, when visibility lets you clearly make out the tower and the rocky plateau.
What you will see
- Status: not open to visitors.
- Height: 27 m.
- Focal height: 24.8 m.
- Light: four grouped flashes every 15 seconds.
- Range: 12.7 miles.
- Lamp: 90 W halogen.
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- Automation: 30 November 1973.
- 27 November 1868: ministerial decision to study the project.
- 29 June 1870: first project by the engineer Hausser.
- 28 January 1875: final approval of the project revised by Bourdelles.
- Summer 1879: the lighthouse is completed.
- 1 January 1880: the first light is lit.
- 1929: an occulting light and a mercury bath are installed.
- 30 November 1973: automation and departure of the last two keepers.
- 10 June 2020: registered as a historic monument.
- With children: best seen during a day on Hoëdic or a boat trip.
Practical information
- Pets
- Consider the boat transport rules and Hoëdic’s natural areas
- Accessibility
- No access to the lighthouse; it depends on your viewpoint on Hoëdic or the boat
- Safety
- No tourist landing; the reefs and currents demand experienced seamanship
- Best time
- Clear weather, calm sea and good visibility
- Photography
- A long lens is recommended from Hoëdic; from the sea, the red and white tower stands out well against the horizon, but sailing conditions come first
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.
- Bring a telephoto lens or binoculars to Hoëdic.
- Check the ferry times back from Hoëdic.
Frequently asked questions
How much time should I allow?
20 min to 1 hour from a viewpoint, longer as part of a day on Hoëdic.
What is the main appeal?
Seeing a real offshore lighthouse guarding the south-eastern approaches to the bay of Quiberon, off Hoëdic.
Can I visit it?
No, it is an offshore lighthouse closed to visitors.
When is the best time for photos?
In clear weather, with a long lens from Hoëdic.
Is there any particular risk?
No tourist landing: the reefs and currents demand experienced seamanship.
Is it a historic monument?
Yes, it has been registered since June 2020.
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