Bretaña , the coastal region of north-west France, has long been the scene of powerful and sometimes devastating storms. Between the violent winds, impressive waves and flooding, the region's inhabitants have learned to respect the force of nature. Here's a look at the storms notable that have marked the history of Brittany.
Four lighthouse
The Four lighthouse known for its large waves in stormy weather, has been keeping watch for 150 years. First lit in March 1874, it stands between the English Channel and the Atlantic, visible from the GR34 at Landunvez and Porspoder. Built in four years on the Roche du Four, it resembles the Pierres Noires lighthouse. These twin lighthouses guide sailors through the dangerous Le Four channel.
Storms at Le Four lighthouse are not only spectacular, they can also be deadly. On 27 April 1873, when construction of the lighthouse was not yet complete, a "dull wave" capsized a boat carrying supplies and materials, killing three sailors.
Despite the repeated assaults of the elements, Le Four lighthouse has withstood the most violent storms. Its sturdy construction and strategic position have enabled it to stand firm against the vagaries of the Iroise Sea. However, storms have left their mark: on 1 February 1904, lightning struck the lighthouse, causing major damage.
Even today, the Le Four lighthouse remains a symbol of resilience in the face of Atlantic storms.
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November 1984
On 22 and 23 November 1984, two storms hit the northern half of France, particularly Brittany.
The night of 23 to 24 November 1984 will go down in the annals of Brittany's weather history. A storm of rare violence hit the region, causing considerable damage and flooding along the coast.
Gusts exceeded 150 km/h on the Breton coast, with peaks of up to 175 km/h in places.
The town centre of Landerneau, in the Finistère region of Brittany, found itself under water. Raging waves sent tonnes of pebbles crashing onto the coastline, altering the coastal landscape.
These extreme winds uprooted trees, damaged buildings and disrupted infrastructure.
Hurricane of October 1987
The storm of 1987, nicknamed the "Hurricane of 1987", the storm hit Brittany and Normandy with exceptional force, leaving an indelible mark on the region's meteorological history.
A storm of rare intensity
On the night of 15 to 16 October 1987, an explosive low-pressure system swept across north-western France with winds of unprecedented force. Gusts reaching dizzying speeds were recorded: 200 km/h in Ouessant and 187 km/h in Quimper. These figures testify to the exceptional power of this storm, considered to be the most violent of the century for these regions.
Considerable damage
The impact of this storm was devastating:
- 15 people lost their lives in France.
- The damage was estimated at around 23 billion francs at the time, or 3.5 billion euros.
Nearly a quarter of Brittany's forests have been destroyed.
The Breton landscape has been profoundly altered. Some residents have compared the scenes of desolation to the battlefields of Verdun, such was the scale of the destruction.
An exceptional meteorological phenomenon!
Although often referred to as a "hurricane", this storm was in fact a mid-latitude low of rare intensity. Its atmospheric pressure dropped to 948 hPa at Brest, a record since the station was created in 1945. The speed at which the storm moved, around 110 km/h, amplified its devastating effects.
A turning point in ecological awareness
This extreme weather event marked a turning point in awareness of weather risks in Brittany and Normandy.
It has led to improved warning systems and better preparedness for storms.
Paradoxically, ten years after the disaster, the forestry balance sheet has been positive, with almost complete reforestation of the destroyed areas and the appearance of 30,000 hectares of new forests.
The hurricane of October 1987 remains engraved in our collective memory as a reminder of the power of nature and the need for constant vigilance in the face of extreme weather phenomena.
Herta (1990)
The storm Herta, which hit Brittany on 3 February 1990, was violent and rapid, leaving an indelible mark on the region's meteorological history.
A lightning storm
Herta was characterised by its exceptional speed and the intensity of its winds. In just a few hours, it swept across the northern half of France, taking authorities and residents by surprise.
Devastating winds
The storm generated extraordinarily strong gusts:
On Belle-Île in Morbihan, winds of up to 162 km/h were recorded.
In Ille-et-Vilaine, gusts reached 137 km/h in Rennes and even 150 km/h in Dinard at the height of the night.
These violent winds caused considerable damage in their wake. In the early hours of the morning, residents discovered the extent of the devastation: between 700 and 1,000 trees broken or uprooted, pleasure boats sunk, and around 70,000 homes without electricity with 150 km of lines damaged.
A heavy human and material toll
Unfortunately, Herta caused a number of casualties.
In Ille-et-Vilaine, one young girl and one young boy were injured in Saint-Malo and Rennes, victims of falling chimneys. In the west of France, nine people lost their lives.
Material damage was estimated at more than 2 billion francs (more than 300 million euros) for the whole of Western France, including 500 million francs for Ille-et-Vilaine alone.
An exceptional response
Given the scale of the disaster, the department of Ille-et-Vilaine, like the rest of Brittany, was declared a state of natural disaster. This measure enabled exceptional resources to be mobilised to deal with the consequences of this extraordinary meteorological event.
Storm Herta will always be remembered as one of the most violent storms ever to hit the region, illustrating the destructive power that the forces of nature can have, even in short-lived events.
Daria (25 and 26 January 1990)
Storm Daria, which struck on 25 January 1990, left an indelible mark on Brittany, testifying to the power of the natural elements.
A violent storm
Daria hit the region with remarkably strong winds. On Belle-Île, gusts were measured at 162 km/h, other stations in Brittany recorded speeds in excess of 140 km/h. This lightning storm took residents by surprise, causing considerable damage.
Extensive material damage
The consequences of Daria were devastating. Many trees were uprooted, roofs ripped off and electricity infrastructure badly damaged. In Ille-et-Vilaine, around 70,000 homes were left without electricity, and hundreds of kilometres of power lines were damaged. Marinas also suffered heavy losses, with several boats sunk or damaged.
A tragic human toll
Unfortunately, the storm also caused injuries, particularly in Saint-Malo and Rennes, where people fell down chimneys. In all, several injuries were reported across the region.
A state of natural disaster
Given the scale of the damage, Brittany was declared a state of natural disaster. This measure enabled resources to be mobilised to deal with the consequences of this extreme weather event.
Lothar and Martin (December 1999)
The storms Lothar and Martin, which hit Brittany on 26 and 27 December 1999, left their mark on the region's history for their exceptional violence. These meteorological events have been described as "storms of the century because of their intensity and considerable impact.
Lothar hit the Brittany coast on 26 December, bringing extraordinarily strong winds.
Record gusts were recorded:
180 km/h on the island of Ushant
173 km/h in Saint-Brieuc, the regional record for this event
Storm Martin followed the next day, 27 December, affecting southern Brittany in particular.
Although less intense than Lothar in the region, it nevertheless caused additional damage.
At Pointe du Raz, winds of 162 km/h were measured during its passage.
Storm Bretagne: Justine (31 January 2021)
The Camors storm Justine hit Brittany on 31 January 2021.
With winds reaching almost 150 km/h, it caused flooding, power cuts and property damage.
The coast of Brittany was violently battered by impressive waves. Residents had to cope with extreme weather conditions, a reminder of man's vulnerability in the face of nature.
Loïc Delplanque : "During storm Justine, the waves hit harder than usual. Dripping with water, I was about to head back to the car when he emerged from the waves. The beautiful thing about waves, apart from the power they emanate, is the imagination they conjure up. Some people see a simple wave, I see a dragon rising from the sea. And what do you see in this photo?
Ciaran (1ᵉʳ to 2 November 2023)
Storm Ciaran, which hit Brittany on the night of 1 to 2 November 2023, was exceptionally violent, earning it the title of "storm of the century" from some of the media.
Extraordinarily strong winds
Ciaran generated gusts of wind of an intensity rarely seen in Brittany :
- 207 km/h recorded at Pointe du Raz in Finistère, setting a new record
- 193 km/h measured at Plougonvelin, also in Finistère
- 180 km/h recorded on the island of Bréhat in Côtes d'Armor
Even inland, the winds remained very violent:
- 125 km/h at Rostrenen in Côtes d'Armor
- 108 km/h recorded at Rennes in Ille-et-Vilaine
Considerable damage
The consequences of Ciaran have been devastating for the region:
Many trees uprooted and roofs damaged
Roads cut off and marinas devastated
Around 1.2 million homes without electricity in France, many of them in Brittany
The wild Morbihan coast
The Camors wild coast of Morbihan, with its steep cliffs and secluded beaches, it is often exposed to the raging elements, particularly during the winter months.
These extreme weather phenomena are characterised by powerful winds and impressive waves that shape the coastal landscape.
Storms on this coast can generate gusts frequently exceeding 100 km/h, with records sometimes reaching 150 km/h during the most intense episodes. These violent winds, combined with the particular topography of the coast, create spectacular and dangerous sea conditions.
The waves generated by these storms can reach considerable heights, sometimes in excess of 10 metres.
These extreme conditions often attract curious onlookers and photographers, but represent a real danger to the safety of people and coastal infrastructures.
The local authorities regularly take precautionary measures during these events, such as closing certain access points to the coast or issuing warnings to the population.
These storms, although potentially destructive, are an integral part of the identity of the Côte Sauvage du Morbihan and contribute to its unique and wild character.
Storms in Brittany shape the landscape, reminding residents of the power of nature.
Whether on the wild Morbihan coast, at the Four lighthouse or elsewhere, these climatic events remain anchored in the region's history and collective memory.
Be prepared for the elements, because the next storm could be just around the corner!
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