Ancien phare de Penmarc'h, Historical lighthouse in Penmarch, France
The old lighthouse of Penmarc'h is a stone structure with a square tower and octagonal watch room, rising 65 meters above the Breton coast. The building stands at Saint-Pierre port and shapes the landscape of this Atlantic shore.
The structure was built in 1897 and replaced an earlier one from 1835. Its funding came from Adelaide-Louise Davout, who created it as a memorial to her father, Marshal Louis Nicolas Davout.
The structure takes its name from its position at Saint-Pierre port, where it has guided vessels for over a century. Visitors can still sense the connection to the maritime history of this Breton coastal region when observing the building today.
The climb involves around 307 steps, with some stone sections and others made of iron. The route is challenging but leads to a platform at the top with broad views over the coast.
The beacon emits a white flash every five seconds and can be seen by ships from up to 23 nautical miles away. This light intensity makes it a dependable navigation point in the northwestern Bay of Biscay.
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