Lighthouse
Pointe des Chats Lighthouse
Île de Groix · Morbihan
A 15.22 m lighthouse-house built in 1897 and 1898 in the south-east of Groix, with a light visible up to 19 miles, guarding a coast of dangerous shoals.
- Suggested time
- 45 minutes to 1 h 30 with the point and the path.
- Type of place
- Lighthouse
- Atmosphere
- Mineral, geological and very maritime.
- Getting there
- On foot or by bike on Groix to the Pointe des Chats. The inside is closed.
Who this place suits
- With family
- 8/10
- As a couple
- 10/10
- With friends
- 9/10
- Solo
- 8/10
- 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
The Pointe des Chats lighthouse stands at the south-eastern tip of Groix. The maritime authority (DIRM) gives a total height of 15.22 m, a base altitude of only 2.7 m and a range of 19 miles. The light is designed to mark the particularly dangerous shoals that extend the point. The current lighthouse was built between June 1897 and October 1898 and automated in 1986. It cannot be visited. The surrounding site belongs to a protected and very interesting geological area.
What you will see
- Town: Groix, Morbihan.
- Status: automated, in service.
- Visits: not open to visitors; outside viewing only.
- Height: 15.22 m.
- Range: 19 nautical miles, according to the DIRM.
- Light: a flash every 5 seconds, according to historical DIRM data.
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- Construction: June 1897 to October 1898; first optic lit on 15 October 1898.
- Automation: 1986.
- Heritage: listed in the Inventory of cultural heritage.
- History: the current lighthouse took over the role of an older light at the Fort de la Croix.
- With children: yes, with care on the rocky coast.
Practical information
- Public transport
- Boat to Groix, then bike, on foot or local transport.
- Services
- In Locmaria and elsewhere on the island; few services at the point
- Parking
- Groix is easy to explore by bike or on foot
- Pets
- A lead is recommended in the natural area
- Accessibility
- Partial outdoor access, depending on the path
- Pushchair
- Not practical on the natural paths
- Safety
- Rocks, swell and shoals; stay on safe paths
- Best time
- Morning or late afternoon, with good visibility over the shoals
- Photography
- Excellent with the rocks, the sea and the lighthouse-house
- Prices
- Outside viewing is free
- Nearby
- Locmaria, the Groix geological reserve, the coastal path, Port Tudy, Pen Men
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.
- Combine the lighthouse with the coastal path and the geological reserve.
- Hire a bike at Port Tudy to reach the point.
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit the Pointe des Chats lighthouse?
No, only the outside can be seen.
How do I get there?
On foot or by bike across Groix to the Pointe des Chats.
Why was it built?
To mark the particularly dangerous shoals that extend the point.
How much time should I allow?
45 minutes to 1 h 30 with the point and the path.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes, with care on the rocky coast.
When is the best time to come?
Morning or late afternoon, with good visibility.
Stay in Île de Groix
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Traveller reviews
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Photograph: chisloup · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons