Name and Location

The Phare de l’Île Wrac’h, also known as the Ile Wrac’h Lighthouse, stands on Île Wrac’h, a small tidal island at the mouth of the Aber Wrac’h estuary on the northern coast of Brittany, France. The lighthouse is located at 48.614784 °N, 4.5757535 °W and can be found at Plus code JC7F+WM Plouguerneau, France.

Construction and History

The Phare de l’Île Wrac’h is a masonry tower listed as “man_made=lighthouse” in IGN BD Ortho 2021. While the exact construction and commissioning dates are not publicly available, it is speculated that the lighthouse may date from the 1880-1920 period, reflecting an era of systematic improvement of Breton aids to navigation.

Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse stands on a small tidal island and features a cylindrical tower rising directly from the keeper’s house or base structure. The materials used are likely local granite, although this has not been officially confirmed. The height and focal height of the light are not publicly documented, but it is speculated to be in the range 10-15 meters above mean sea level.

Light and Navigation

The lighthouse serves as a minor aid to navigation, guiding local fishing and recreational craft into the Aber Wrac’h estuary. Its range is unspecified, but it is likely to be a white flash every 5 seconds, typical of minor Breton lights. The lighthouse does not have an AIS transponder or radar installation.

Accessibility and Visiting

The Île Wrac’h is reachable on foot at low tide via natural causeways or by small boat. There is no regular public transport to the island. The lighthouse enclosure is fenced, and the tower is not open to visitors.

Notable Views and Landscape

From its base, the view opens over the Iroise Sea to the islands of Molène and Ouessant. Nearby attractions include Pointe de Sainte-Marguerite (clifftop walking trails), Port of Aber Wrac’h (marina, seafood restaurants), Île Vierge Lighthouse (to the east, largest stone lighthouse in Europe), and Archipel de Molène (boat excursions).

Anecdotes and Folklore

There are no notable anecdotes or folklore surrounding this lighthouse.

Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse is remotely monitored and fully automated. There is no longer an on-site keeper.

For further information, please refer to the French Service des phares et balises website (General overview of Breton lighthouses), SHOM chart 7168 “Aber Wrac’h”, OpenStreetMap way 93055636: https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/93055636, and IGN BD Ortho 2021 (for aerial imagery and structural footprint).