Phare de Lanvaon
1038 Lanvaon, 29880 Plouguerneau, France
Name and Location
Phare de Lanvaon, also known as Tour-tan Lanvaon, is a masonry lighthouse located on the northern coast of Brittany, in the commune of Plouguerneau (Finistère), France. Its official name is Phare de Lanvaon, while its Breton name is Tour-tan Lanvaon.
2. Construction and History
The construction era of Phare de Lanvaon is documented but unavailable. The lighthouse serves as a conspicuous daymark and aids vessels navigating the Aber Wrac’h estuary and approaches to local harbors.
3. Architecture and Materials
Phare de Lanvaon features a tapered cylindrical tower built of dressed masonry, standing 27 meters tall above its base. The topmark is a red triangular daymark pointing upwards, atop a mast with a pattern of two broad horizontal bands – orange (lower) and white (upper). The structure is made from local stone masonry, painted and coated for weather resistance.
4. Light and Navigation
Phare de Lanvaon is a rear range light with a characteristic Quick (Q) flashing white signal. It is visible between bearings 090°–110°, with a focal height of 55 meters above mean sea level and a nominal range of 12 nautical miles. The lighthouse is fully automated and unmanned, with no radar or AIS installed.
5. Accessibility and Visiting
The managing authority for Phare de Lanvaon is the Service des phares et balises (Direction Interrégionale de la Mer de l’Ouest). While the tower itself has no public access, visitors can view it from coastal footpaths (GR34) and local roads (D71), with the base fenced off.
6. Notable Views and Landscape
7. Technical and Operational Details
Phare de Lanvaon is listed as a Monument historique (MHS IA29000449), protected for its role in local maritime history and its striking daymark. The lighthouse appears on nautical charts, including SHOM 7132, Admiralty A1826, and NGA Chart 11408.
9. Further Information
- For further information, please visit the OpenStreetMap (way/232642575), IGN BD Ortho (2021), French Base Mérimée: IA29000449, Admiralty List of Lights A1826.10, NGA List of Lights 114-7708, and French Wikipedia.
Details
| Name | Phare de Lanvaon |
|---|---|
| City | Plouguerneau |
| Country | France |
| Coordinates | 48.6100261, -4.5355631 |
| Historic significance | role in local maritime history and its striking daymark |
| Architectural style | masonry |
| Construction material | "local stone masonry" |
| Focal height | 55 |
| Tower height | 27 |
| Heritage status | true |
| Access description | visible from coastal footpaths (GR34) and local roads (D71), but the base is fenced and off-limits. |
| Landscape type | rocky shores |
| View description | wide views across the Iroise Sea, the estuary of Aber Wrac’h to the east and the island-dotted sound to the north. |
| Facilities | toilets |
| Nearby attractions | ["Pointe de Lanvaon and coastal heathland trails (GR34)","Aber Wrac’h estuary boat tours and oyster farms","Plouguerneau village (traditional Breton houses, local markets)","Beaches of Tréac’h Meur and Ker Aliouet"] |
| Light characteristic | "Quick (Q) flashing white" |
| Light range | 12 |
| Automated | true |