Lighthouses in France stand as dramatic testaments to the country’s marine tradition. Although many are now sadly in a state of disrepair, their architectural beauty and cultural importance make them a must-see for holidaymakers in France. French lighthouses are obscure cultural treasures that hark back to a largely forgotten era of Gallic supremacy . All over the French shore, the lighthouses – or phare as they are called in France – have stood up to the worst that the Channel and the Atlantic Ocean hurl at them for many years. These spectacular structures punctuate the horizon around the shore, forming a marvellous network of signal lights originally designed to secure the lives of French sailors and ensure the integrity of France’s shipping lanes. Brittany is home to some of the most beautiful lighthouses, along with the Île D’Ouessant just off the mainland. A rocky, weather-beaten area of land that’s only 5km by 8km long, the island is home to a number of truly splendid historical lighthouses, both onshore and off. Surrounded by intense currents and deceptive outcrops of hidden rocks, the island has claimed many lives over the centuries, making its lighthouses of crucial practical importance for shipping navigating through this dangerous area. The lighthouses on the island are some of the most attractive to be found anywhere in France. From the short, square Phare de Kermorvan with its rugged stone facing to the simple yet robust sophistication of the Phare du Petit Minou, the Île D’Ouessant showcases some truly amazing feats of engineering and practical architecture. The lighthouses are even more magnificant when one considers that most were built in the early years of the nineteenth century, when building techniques were nowhere near as advanced as they are today. The fact that these structures are still standing in the face of such severe weather conditions is a credit to the skill and tenacity of the men who built them. Reaching the Île D’Ouessant is simple – just catch a Caen channel ferry to France and make your way to Brest in Brittany. There the twice a day ferry will ship you over to the island for a very modest fee. Once there, you can explore the island on foot or by bike, taking in the unique sights of these commanding silent guards.
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