Brittany | Saint-Mathieu Lighthouse

2022-12-25 QUIBERON 24

Pointe Saint-Mathieu / Brittany. The Saint-Mathieu Lighthouse is a lighthouse located on Pointe Saint-Mathieu in Plougonvelin, around Brest in Finistère.

The Saint-Mathieu Lighthouse is a lighthouse located on Pointe Saint-Mathieu in Plougonvelin. The lighthouse is open to the public. The lighthouse has a range of 24 miles, or 44 km. Emitted through a rotating lens, its white glow appears every 15 seconds. However, its light only comes from a mere 254-watt bulb. The lighthouse was finally electrified in 1932 and automated in 1996. Since 2005, it has been remotely controlled from Ushant Island. The covered way is reached by a spiral staircase made of Aber Ildut granite, with 163 steps carefully built, one above the other to form a central pillar. It is illuminated by a series of windows that allow visitors to take a short break while enjoying the breathtaking view.

Along with the Kermorvan Lighthouse, it signals the direction of the Chenal du Four, which transient ships used to follow on a north-south axis before the creation of the Rail d’Ouessant. Saint-Mathieu’s alignment with the Portzic Lighthouse also indicates the route for entrance to the Goulet de Brest. The promontory of Saint-Mathieu hosts the ruins of an abbey, a sémaphore, and a lighthouse. This bizarre juxtaposition is explained by the connections these structures shared throughout Saint-Mathieu’s history.