The lighthouses of France stand as imposing testaments to French naval history. Although many are now sadly disused, their architectural beauty and cultural significance make them a must-see for any tourists visiting France. French lighthouses are hidden cultural treasures that hark back to a largely forgotten era of Gallic rule . Guarding the French waterfront, the lighthouses – or phare – have stood up to the worst that the Channel and the Atlantic Ocean have to offer for decades. These remarkable structures punctuate the skyline around the coastline, forming a formidable network of beacons originally designed to guard the lives of French sailors and ensure the integrity of the nation’s shipping lanes. Some of the most beautiful lighthouses are to be found in Brittany, and on the tiny Île D’Ouessant just off the mainland. A rocky, weather-beaten tranche of land that’s only 5km by 8km long, the island is houses a number of truly impressive historic lighthouses, both onshore and off. Encircled by fierce currents and dangerous outcrops of hidden rocks, the island has claimed many lives over the centuries, making its lighthouses of crucial practical importance for shipping navigation through this dangerous area. The lighthouses themselves are some of the most spectacular to be found anywhere in France. From the squat, 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 spectacular when one considers that most were built in the early years of the nineteenth century, when design 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 quick and easy – just catch a Caen channel ferry to the French mainland and travel to Brest in Brittany. There the twice a day ferry will take 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.

Tags: Amazing Feats, Architectural Beauty, Atlantic Ocean, Dangerous Area, France, French Naval History, French Sailors, Hidden Rocks, lighthouses, Nineteenth Century, Onshore, Ouessant, Phare, Remarkable Structures, Rugged Stone, severe weather, Shipping Lanes, Sophistication, Tenacity, Testaments, travel, Weather Conditions