Baie de Pouldohan Lighthouse
1706 Hent Beg Enez, 29910 Trégunc, France
Name and Location
The Baie de Pouldohan Lighthouse is a small coastal beacon situated in Pouldohan Bay (Baie de Pouldohan) in Trégunc, Finistère, Brittany, France. The lighthouse's address is 1706 Hent Beg Enez, 29910 Trégunc, Finistère, Brittany, France.
Coordinates
Latitude: 47.8495374 °N
Longitude: -3.8949284 °E
Plus code: R4X4+R2 Trégunc, France
Construction and History
The Baie de Pouldohan Lighthouse's official construction date is not recorded in national archives or published light lists. However, its relatively utilitarian form and Cadastre-DGI source date (2010 update) suggest it may have been built in the early to mid-20th century, replacing earlier wooden dayboards or buoys.
Architecture and Materials
The lighthouse is likely constructed from concrete or masonry, typical of small 20th-century Breton beacons. The tower's height is not officially documented but appears to be around 6-8 meters above base, based on Google Street View imagery. The focal plane is estimated at around 10 meters above sea level.
Light and Navigation
The lighthouse serves as a daymark and night-time aid to navigation for local fishing and pleasure craft entering the bay. It marks the entrance to the small inlet and mooring area of Pouldohan Bay. Nautical charts referenced in SHOM chart series for the Bay of Concarneau (e.g., SHOM 7058). The lighthouse's light characteristic is not listed in national light lists, but it is presumed fixed or occulting white light with a short range.
Accessibility and Visiting
The lighthouse is visible from the coastal footpath along the Pointe de Pouldohan. No public access inside the tower. Visitors can reach the beacon by car or bike from Trégunc centre, following signs to Plage de Pouldohan, then the coastal path westwards. Nearby parking and beach amenities are available at Plage de Pouldohan; no on-site restrooms or café.
Notable Views and Landscape
The lighthouse offers a panoramic outlook over Pouldohan Bay, with Les Glénan Islands visible on clear days. The surrounding landscape features granite rocks, sandy coves, and a sheltered mooring basin for small craft.
Anecdotes and Folklore
Local fishermen tell of a faint "last light" glow on moonless nights, said to be the spirit of a lost sailor guiding others safely home (oral tradition only).
Technical and Operational Details
The lighthouse is presumed fully automated and solar-powered, as is standard for unstaffed French coastal beacons. There is no historic keeper's dwelling attached.
Further Information
- OpenStreetMap entry: way/82193246 (man_made=lighthouse, name=Baie de Pouldohan)
- Cadastre-DGI Fr source (2010 update)
- SHOM nautical charts and Notices to Mariners (for exact light characteristics)
- Trégunc mairie website (www.tregunc.fr)
Details
| Name | Baie de Pouldohan Lighthouse |
|---|---|
| City | Trégunc |
| Country | France |
| Coordinates | 47.8495374, -3.8949284 |
| Stories | fishermen tell of a faint “last light” glow on moonless nights, said to be the spirit of a lost sailor guiding others safely home |
| Construction material | "concrete or masonry" |
| Focal height | 10 |
| Tower height | 6.5 |
| Heritage status | false |
| Access description | by car or bike from Trégunc centre → follow signs to Plage de Pouldohan, then the coastal path westwards. |
| Accessible | true |
| Landscape type | granite rocks, sandy coves, sheltered mooring basin for small craft |
| View description | panoramic outlook over Pouldohan Bay, with Les Glénan Islands visible on clear days. |
| Facilities | nearby parking and beach amenities at Plage de Pouldohan; no on-site restrooms or café |
| Opening hours | viewable at any time; tower interior closed. |
| Nearby attractions | ["Plage de Pouldohan (beach)","Pointe de Trévignon lighthouse","Coastal hiking trails connecting to Le Pouldu and the Concarneau fishing port."] |
| AIS Radar | false |
| Light characteristic | "fixed or occulting white light with short range" |
| Automated | true |