Phare de Pontusval, Maritime lighthouse in Plounéour-Brignogan-plages, France.
Phare de Pontusval is a white stone lighthouse standing on the rocky Beg-Pol headland and rising 14.5 meters (48 feet) above the water. The structure sits directly on craggy terrain overlooking the Atlantic coast.
The lighthouse was built in 1869 after several shipwrecks to help sailors navigate safely. German forces occupied and used it as a strategic position during World War II, leaving behind a blockhouse still visible in the adjacent garden.
The name Pontusval comes from Breton folklore and refers to an ancient tale about a place where a mythical beast met its end in the depths. Visitors today can still sense this local history woven into the stone walls and surroundings.
The area is best explored at low tide when you can safely walk on the rocks and see the full structure clearly. Wear sturdy footwear since the ground is rough and the site can be windy, and access may be limited at certain times.
Marie-Paule Le Gwen was the final keeper and lived in an adjacent house until 2023, preserving the legacy of manual lighthouse operation. She embodied an era when these structures needed human care rather than being fully automated.
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