Tour des Anglais, Pénerf: visit, history and practical information

At the Pointe du Lenn, a cylindrical tower about 15 metres high, probably built in the 16th century: a former light, landmark and lookout over the entrance to Pénerf.

Suggested time: 30 minutes to 1 hour on site, 1 hour 30 to 3 hours as part of a loop on the GR 34.
Type of place: Former light tower and historic lookout
Atmosphere: Historic, estuary, defensive and maritime.
Getting there: Pointe du Lenn in Pénerf, in the town of Damgan. On foot along the lanes and paths of the peninsula. The tower is not open for free visits.

Who this place suits

With family: 9/10
As a couple: 9/10
With friends: 8/10
Solo: 9/10
With a dog: 7/10
Reduced mobility: 6/10

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 Tour des Anglais in Pénerf is not a modern lighthouse, and that is exactly what makes it interesting. Standing at the Pointe du Lenn, on the Pénerf peninsula in Damgan, it was probably built in the 16th century and is recorded in 1692 at the latest. Once known as the Tour Blanche or Tour de Pénerf, it only took its current name, Tour des Anglais, in the early 20th century. About 15 metres high, this cylindrical tower served as a lookout, a defensive work and a light tower marking the entrance to the Pénerf river. It was part of a coastal military system that also included batteries. Its current shape keeps a very old architecture: a tapered base, thick walls of local coastal stone, arrow slits, a parapet and machicolation features resting on granite corbels. The tower was restored in the 19th century and maintained again in the 20th century. It also became a landmark for sailors. It is protected as a historic monument and belongs to the town of Damgan. It cannot be visited freely, but it is sometimes included in guided heritage tours. The GR 34 passes nearby, making it an excellent stop on a walk around the Pénerf peninsula.

What you will see

Type of site: former light tower and historic lookout.
Visits: outside freely accessible; inside not open freely, occasional guided tours.
Height: about 15 m.
Date: probably 16th century, recorded in 1692.
Historic role: light tower, lookout and defensive work.
Later role: a landmark for sailors.

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Protection: historic monument.
Owner: the town of Damgan.
It was part of a defensive system that included coastal batteries.
It was long known as the Tour Blanche or Tour de Pénerf.
1886: the tower is restored and whitewashed.
Early 20th century: the name Tour des Anglais becomes widespread.
1978: the base and some of the masonry are restored.

Practical information

Pets: Fine for an outdoor walk, subject to local rules
Accessibility: The outside is easier to reach than many lighthouses, depending on the path you take on the point
Safety: An easy coastal site, but take care on the foreshore, slipways and banks depending on the tide
Best time: Clear weather, calm sea and good visibility
Nearby: The port of Pénerf, the Pénerf river, the GR 34, Damgan, Kervoyal beach, the Pointe de Pénerf

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.

Show 7 more tips

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 visit with the port of Pénerf and a walk along the river.
Ask the Damgan tourist office about guided heritage tours that include the tower.

Frequently asked questions

Can I visit the tower?

The outside is freely accessible; the inside is not open freely, but occasional guided tours are possible.

How much time should I allow?

30 minutes to 1 hour on site, 1 hour 30 to 3 hours as part of a loop on the GR 34.

What is the main interest?

Discovering one of the oldest surviving ancestors of the lighthouse on the French Atlantic coast.

When is the best time for photos?

At sunrise or sunset, when its silhouette stands out against the estuary. Views from a distance best show its role as a coastal landmark.

Is there any particular risk?

It is an easy coastal site, but take care on the foreshore, slipways and banks depending on the tide.

Is the tower still in use?

It no longer works as a light tower, but it became a landmark for sailors.

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Photograph: Rosescreen · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons