Bodic lighthouse

Bodic lighthouse stands right at the edge of Kermouster, a small hamlet in the municipality of Lézardrieux, Côtes-d'Armor, exactly where the Trieux river meets the sea. It's one of the recognisable landmarks of the Pink Granite Coast, easy to spot both from land and from the water.

Where exactly is the lighthouse?

Bodic sits on an open, flat stretch of land on the left bank of the Trieux estuary, facing the Croix lighthouse across the water in the commune of Ploubazlanec. Together the two lighthouses mark the entrance to the river for boats arriving from the English Channel. The coordinates are roughly 48.8124 N, 3.0909 W.

How do you get to Bodic lighthouse?

Kermouster is the natural starting point. A well-known walking loop of around 9 kilometres runs from the hamlet along the coast, past the Baie de Pommelin, and up to the lighthouse itself. The route is signposted and needs no special preparation, making it a popular half-day outing for anyone based around Lézardrieux. By car, the closest you can get is Kermouster or Lézardrieux, after which the lighthouse is reached on foot.

What will you see there?

The current tower is 23 metres tall, with its lantern sitting 49 metres above sea level — high enough for the light to be seen from about 10 nautical miles away, roughly 18 kilometres. It replaced an earlier lighthouse from 1867 that was destroyed by retreating German forces in 1944. The building standing today was constructed between 1947 and 1949, part of the post-war rebuilding of navigational markers along this stretch of coast.

The lighthouse has been fully automated for decades, and its last keepers left in 2015. It's surrounded by open, grassy ground, which gives visitors a wide view over the Trieux estuary and, on a clear day, out towards the Bréhat archipelago.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

Kermouster itself is a quiet former fishing hamlet sitting right where the Trieux flows into the sea. The view from here over the estuary mouth and the Bréhat archipelago is one of the finest along this part of the coast, and the hamlet's calm setting makes it a good spot to rest after the walk. It's easy to combine a visit to the lighthouse with a stroll around the Baie de Pommelin and a short trip into Lézardrieux itself, just a few kilometres away.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and summer are the best seasons for the walk, with long daylight hours and the coastal path at its most scenic. The site is exposed and open to sea winds, though, so it's worth bringing an extra layer even in summer.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside Bodic lighthouse? No — it's an active, fully automated navigational aid and isn't open for visits inside. You view it from the surrounding grounds.

How long does the walk from Kermouster to the lighthouse take? The loop linking Kermouster, the Baie de Pommelin and Bodic lighthouse covers about 9 kilometres, usually two to three hours at an easy walking pace.

How does the current lighthouse differ from the one that stood here before? The earlier lighthouse, built in 1867, was destroyed during the German retreat in 1944. The tower seen today, built between 1947 and 1949, is the post-war replacement marking the mouth of the Trieux.

Is there parking near the lighthouse? The nearest parking is in Kermouster itself or in Lézardrieux; from either point, the lighthouse is reached by a coastal walk.