FINISTÈRE GUIDE
Lighthouses in Finistère: the most beautiful to see and visit
← Back to the complete guide to lighthouses in Brittany
Finistère is the French department with the most lighthouses. Ouessant alone has five, and many of these date from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Le Créac'h, l'Île Vierge, La Jument, Saint-Mathieu or le Four are the names that come to mind first. But when you really get down to the coast, you'll also come across more discreet lighthouses, lighthouses at the tip, lighthouses in towns and lighthouses at sea, all of which give Finistère a unique density.
I've been photographing this coast for a long time. I've always seen these lighthouses as silent presences, immobile guardians watching over an indomitable force.
Things to remember
Number
56 headlights
Finistère is still the French department with the most.
Ushant
5 headlights
One island alone is exceptionally dense.
Records
Île Vierge & Créac'h
One has a range of 82.5 m, the other around 60 km.
Former
Stiff
Lit in 1700, it is one of the oldest still in operation.
Icon
The Mare
Jean Guichard's 1989 photograph made it world famous.
Atmosphere
Iroise Sea
This is what gives these silhouettes their tension and strength.
Map of lighthouses in Finistère
The map below will help you locate the main lighthouses in Finistère before planning your route. Above all, it shows the main areas of the department: Ushant, the north coast, the Pointe Saint-Mathieu, the Brest roadstead, the Raz de Sein and South Finistère.
In practical terms, it shows one thing straight away: you can't visit this département in one quick loop. The easiest way is to group the stages by sector and save a whole day for Ushant.
The interactive map loads only when clicked, to keep the page speeding up.
Ushant lighthouses
To start with, you need to go to Ouessant. It's the island with the most lighthouses, and it's also the one that best sums up the importance of the Iroise Sea in Brittany's maritime history.
Créac'h lighthouse - Ushant
Built in 1863, this lighthouse with its black and white stripes is the most powerful in France. Its two white flashes every ten seconds can be seen from a distance of around 60km, and the old power station houses the Lighthouses and Beacons museum.
Stiff lighthouse - Ushant
Built by Vauban in 1695 and lit in 1700, it is the oldest lighthouse on Ushant. Its two adjoining towers offer a panoramic view of the island and the Iroise Sea.
La Jument lighthouse - Ushant
Built between 1904 and 1911 thanks to a bequest of 400,000 francs from a Parisian benefactor, this lighthouse at sea became world-famous with Jean Guichard's photograph taken on 21 December 1989. Sensors on site measured a wave of 24.6 m in 2017-2018.
Kéréon lighthouse - Ushant
Built between 1907 and 1916 in the Passage du Fromveur, it is nicknamed “the Palace” for its interior, with mosaics, inlaid parquet flooring and oak panelling. It owes this richness to the gift of Amicie Lebaudy.
Nividic lighthouse - Ushant
Built between 1912 and 1936 on the Pointe de Pern, it is the only lighthouse in France to be linked to the coast by a cable car. The pylons can still be seen from the coastal path.
North coast
After Ushant, the north coast offers a series of lighthouses in a sector that is easier to navigate. This is also where you'll find Île Vierge, Finistère's record-breaking lighthouse.
Île Vierge lighthouse
At 82.5 m, it is the highest ashlar lighthouse in Europe. According to tradition, the islet where it stands was first a Druid sanctuary, then a Franciscan convent in the 15th century.
Île Wrac'h lighthouse
Commissioned in 1845 in Plouguerneau, it is accessible on foot at low tide. Since 2006, the former guardians' house has been home to an artists' residence and exhibitions.
Pontusval lighthouse
Lit on 15 September 1869 in Brignogan-Plages after numerous shipwrecks, it has been listed as a Historic Monument since 2011. Its last caretaker, Marie-Paule Le Guen, lived there until her death in November 2023.
Roscoff lighthouse
Commissioned in 1934 in the heart of the town, it has been automated since 2002. The lighthouse is still manned and is an integral part of the urban fabric.
Brest and the Iroise Sea
Around Brest and on the Iroise Sea, the lighthouses are easier to fit into a short break. This is the right area for a first discovery if you want to see several sites without too much driving.
Saint-Mathieu lighthouse
Commissioned on 15 June 1835 in the ruins of the Saint-Mathieu de Fine-Terre abbey, this 36-metre lighthouse has 163 steps and a range of 29 miles. It has been listed as a Historic Monument since 2011 and is open to the public every day in July and August.
Kermorvan lighthouse
Commissioned in 1849 at Le Conquet, this 20.35 m square lighthouse, linked to the land by a granite bridge, is the most westerly land-based lighthouse in France. It has been open to visitors since 2022.
Petit Minou lighthouse
Lit in 1848 in Plouzané, it guides ships as they enter Brest harbour. Closed since 2024 for restoration, it received major heritage support in 2025.
Four lighthouse
Built between 1869 and 1874 off Porspoder, this lighthouse at sea has been listed as a Historic Monument since 2017. It is one of Finistère's best-known lighthouses for the breakers that hit its tower. From the coast, it's one of the best subjects for photography in heavy weather.
Pointe du Raz and South Finistère
The Raz de Sein and the south of the département round off the route. There are fewer lighthouses to visit, but several very impressive sites.
La Vieille lighthouse
Built between 1882 and 1887 on Gorlebella Rock in the heart of the Raz de Sein, it remained manned until 1995. Its last guards refused to take over when it was automated.
Portzic lighthouse
Lit on 1 January 1848 at the narrowest point of the Brest Narrows, this 35 m octagonal lighthouse is the closest to the city. Its semaphore has regulated maritime traffic in the harbour since 1987.
Partridge Turret
Erected in 1918 at the entrance to the Loctudy and Île-Tudy channels, it is distinguished by its black and white checkerboard pattern. Threatened with destruction, it was saved thanks to local efforts.
The main lighthouses in Finistère in brief
A quick overview of the lighthouses not to be missed and how to approach them on site.
| Headlight | Zone | Access | Visitable | What makes it unique |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Créac'h | Ushant | Ferry + island | Adjacent museum | The most powerful in France, range approx. 60 km |
| Stiff | Ushant | Ferry + island | Yes, in season | Lit in 1700 |
| The Mare | Ushant | Sea / boat view | No | The 1989 photo made her a global icon |
| Kéréon | Ushant | Sea / boat view | No | Interior nicknamed «the Palace» |
| Nividic | Ushant | Coastal path | No | The only cable car of its kind in France |
| Virgin Island | North coast | Shuttle / excursion | Yes, in season | Europe's tallest ashlar lighthouse |
| Île Wrac'h | North coast | Low tide | Yes | Artists in residence since 2006 |
| Pontusval | North coast | Road + footpath | No | A long presence for Marie-Paule Le Guen |
| Roscoff | North coast | City centre | No | Guarded urban lighthouse |
| Saint-Mathieu | Brest / Iroise | Route | Yes | Housed in the ruins of the abbey |
| Kermorvan | Brest / Iroise | Granite bridge | Yes | The most westerly land-based lighthouse in France |
| Little Kitty | Brest / Iroise | Road + footbridge | Closed for catering | Heritage work in progress |
| Oven | Brest / Iroise | View from Porspoder | No | Spectacular breakers |
| La Vieille | Raz de Sein | Sea / boat view | No | Refusal to change over during automation |
| Portzic | Brest | Route | No | Active semaphore in the harbour |
| Partridge Turret | South Finistère | Coastal view | No | Black and white checkerboard |
Practical info
Here are some practical guidelines for organising your stopovers in the main areas of Finistère.
| Zone | Access | Possible visits linked to lighthouses |
|---|---|---|
| Ushant | Ferry from Le Conquet or Brest. | Stiff lighthouse, open from 4 April 2026 to 1 November 2026; Musée des Phares et Balises at the foot of Créac'h, currently closed for works, with reopening planned for 2026. |
| North coast | Car, then crossing or access depending on the site. | Île Vierge, guided tour of the large lighthouse from March to October depending on the tides; Île Wrac'h, access on foot around low tide almost all year round, with exhibitions in July and August. |
| Brest / Iroise | An easy loop by car. | Saint-Mathieu, open from March to January with daily opening in July-August; Kermorvan, open from April to early November with daily opening in July-August; Petit Minou, no visit to the lighthouse during the works, only the exterior. |
| Pointe du Raz & the south Finistère coast | Stages spaced further apart. | La Vieille and Le Four lighthouses are not open to visitors, but can be seen from the coast or when out at sea; Portzic and Tourelle des Perdrix can be discovered from the coastal paths. |
Exploring the lighthouses of Finistère? See also our guide to Morbihan lighthouses, You'll be able to compare the two Breton départements and enhance your coastal itinerary.
My most beautiful photographs of lighthouses
Some of these lighthouses are part of my photographic work. In my limited edition collection of photographs of Finistère, You'll find the Tourelle des Perdrix, as well as the Four lighthouse caught in the violence of the swell.
These photographs are available in limited edition of 30, signed and numbered with a certificate of authenticity. Framing is available on request, and delivery is free.
Cap Fréhel lighthouse - limited edition fine art print, photography © Loïc Delplanque.
Tourelle des Perdrix lighthouse - limited edition fine art print, photography © Loïc Delplanque.
Tempête sur le phare du Four - limited edition black and white fine art print, photography © Loïc Delplanque.
Tempête Justine au Conquet - limited edition fine art print, photography © Loïc Delplanque.
If you're fascinated by lighthouses in the middle of a storm, I invite you to discover my complete guide to storms in Brittany The latest information: wave records, places to photograph and shooting tips.
FAQ
What is the highest lighthouse in Finistère?
The Île Vierge lighthouse, at 82.5 m.
Can you visit the Ushant lighthouses?
The Stiff can be visited in season, and the Créac'h can also be discovered via the Lighthouses and Beacons Museum. La Jument, Kéréon and Nividic are not open to the public.
Which lighthouse is the best to see in Finistère?
For a first discovery, the best place to start is Créac'h, Île Vierge, Saint-Mathieu and Le Four.
Which lighthouse to photograph in bad weather?
Le Four is a benchmark in Finistère. La Jument and La Vieille are also big names when the sea forms.
What is the oldest lighthouse still in operation in Finistère?
Le Stiff, lit in 1700.
0 Comments