Name and Location

The Phare du Petit Minou, also known as Tour-tan ar Minou in Breton, is a lighthouse located at Route du Phare, 29280 Plouzané, Finistère, Brittany, France. Its coordinates are 48°20′12″ N, 4°36′51″ W.

2. Construction and History

The Phare du Petit Minou was constructed between 1848 and 1851 under the Second French Republic to guide vessels through the narrow entrance to Brest harbor. The lighthouse was first lit on August 15, 1851, designed by Léonce Reynaud, Inspector-General of Lighthouses. It was automated in 1989 and has been unmanned since.

3. Architecture and Materials

The Phare du Petit Minou is a circular, tapering masonry tower with a gallery and lantern, standing at a height of 25.3 meters from base to weather vane. The focal height is 30 meters above mean sea level. The tower is constructed using locally quarried granite blocks and an iron lantern housing, with a white-washed exterior appearance featuring a black horizontal band at gallery level and a black lantern roof.

4. Light and Navigation

The Phare du Petit Minou is a major marine light, emitting a group flashing white light, Fl(3) W 15s (three flashes every 15 seconds). The nominal range is 18 nautical miles (approximately 33 kilometers). The light source has changed from an oil lamp with Fresnel lens to electric with rotating optic.

5. Accessibility and Visiting

Visitors can access the lighthouse on foot via the GR34 coastal path, which links mainland to the base at low tide. Parking and a small visitor platform are available near the Fort du Petit Minou (adjacent). Interior entry is not open to the public. Viewing areas include vantage points from the fort, coastal path, and nearby beach (Plage du Petit Minou).

6. Notable Views and Landscape

The surrounding landscape features the Fort du Petit Minou (Vauban, 1690s), Plage du Petit Minou, a sandy beach popular with families and surfers. The GR34 Sentier des Douaniers offers dramatic coastal views over the goulet. Boat excursions from Brest provide views of both lighthouse and fort from the sea.

7. Anecdotes and Folklore

In Breton folklore, "Minou" may refer to a local sea-monster legend. The name predates the lighthouse, as the islet was previously called "Menoou". During World War II, the German navy temporarily darkened the light before reinstating it under strict schedules.

8. Technical and Operational Details

The Phare du Petit Minou is an active aid to navigation, managed and maintained by the French Service des Phares et Balises (under SHOM). It has no dedicated AIS transponder but is closely monitored by Brest traffic control.

9. Further Information

For further reading, please refer to Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phare_du_Petit_Minou.