Phare de Langoz
23 Rue du Phare, 29750 Loctudy, France
Name and Location
The Phare de Langoz, also known locally in Breton as Tour-tan Langoz, is an active coastal lighthouse located on the western tip of Brittany, France. The address is 23 Rue du Phare, 29750 Loctudy, Finistère, Bretagne, France, and the coordinates are 47°49′52″ N, 4°09′33″ W (47.8313559, -4.1592355).
2. Construction and History
The construction date of the Phare de Langoz is not documented in public sources, but it is likely to be from the late 19th or early 20th century. The lighthouse serves as both a daymark and a multi-sector light in green, white, and red.
3. Architecture and Materials
The Phare de Langoz has a masonry tower with a cylindrical shape and a gallery and lantern. It is constructed from likely local granite or dressed stone, typical of Breton lighthouses. The height of the tower above ground level is 13 meters, and the focal height above mean sea level is also 13 meters.
4. Light and Navigation
The Phare de Langoz displays a characteristic group-flashing light (Fl(4) every 15 seconds), with different colours and ranges depending on bearing sector. The light source and optics are modern rotating or LED.
5. Accessibility and Visiting
6. Notable Views and Landscape
From the lantern gallery (if special arrangement granted), panoramic vistas of île Tudy, the peninsulas of Guilvinec and Penmarc'h, and the Baie d'Audierne to the north and west can be enjoyed.
7. Anecdotes and Folklore
Locally, small fishing boats still use the light's green and white sectors as a visual cross-bearing when entering at dusk or dawn. The name "Langoz" comes from Breton elements possibly meaning "long forest," although the immediate area is windswept coast rather than woodland.
8. Technical and Operational Details
The lighthouse serves to mark the western entrance to Loctudy harbour and the adjacent coastal shoals. Radar/AIS monitoring is provided by Coasts and Sea surveillance authorities, but there is no known radar or AIS transponder on the structure itself. The Admiralty number is D0906, NGA (US) number is 113-400, and ALADIN (French pilot book) reference is 29B00104.
9. Further Information
Further information can be found at the Service des Phares et Balises (French Lighthouse Service) website, SHOM chart 7127 – Côte Sud du Finistère (covering Loctudy), French Wikipedia article https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phare_de_Langoz, Wikidata entry https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3378299, and OpenStreetMap relation https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/93512248.
Details
| Name | Phare de Langoz |
|---|---|
| City | Loctudy |
| Country | France |
| Coordinates | 47.8313559, -4.1592355 |
| Stories | Locally, small fishing boats still use the light's green and white sectors as a visual cross-bearing when entering at dusk or dawn. |
| Architectural style | masonry tower with gallery and lantern |
| Construction material | "likely local granite or dressed stone" |
| Focal height | 13 |
| Tower height | 13 |
| Heritage status | false |
| Renovations | presumed automated |
| Access description | pedestrian approach via Rue du Phare from Loctudy town centre; small parking area nearby |
| Accessible | false |
| Parking | true |
| Landscape type | low-lying coastal terrain; sandbanks and tidal flats lie immediately offshore |
| View description | panoramic vistas of île Tudy, the peninsulas of Guilvinec and Penmarc’h, and the Baie d’Audierne to the north and west |
| Guided tours | false |
| Facilities | cafés, restaurants, small parking area nearby |
| Nearby attractions | ["sand beach to the south","marina to the north"] |
| AIS Radar | false |
| Light characteristic | "Fl(4) every 15 s" |
| Light range | [11,12,15] |
| Automated | true |