L'Ost-Pic

L'Ost-Pic is a 19th-century lighthouse standing on a rocky outcrop right beside Port Lazo, a small harbor in the commune of Plouézec in Côtes-d'Armor, in the Breton region of Goëlo. The white, square tower rises at the far end of the Mez-de-Goëlo reef and has marked the entrance to the bay of Paimpol for over a hundred years.

Where does the name come from?

The name L'Ost-Pic (also written Lost-Pic) comes from Breton: "lost pic" means "magpie's tail" or "pointed tail." It describes the shape of the landscape — the rock the lighthouse stands on is the last, farthest-reaching point of a long chain of reefs forming the great Mez-de-Goëlo, stretching out to sea like a narrowing tail.

How do you get there?

The starting point is Port Lazo, a small fishing harbor and viewpoint over the bay of Paimpol, from where you get a clear view of the lighthouse and the full line of the Mez-de-Goëlo reefs. The tower itself is best seen from the shore or from the nearby Bilfot point, from which the lighthouse is clearly visible across the water. Because of the surrounding rocks and tidal range, walking access to the base of the lighthouse can be limited and depends on sea conditions, so it's worth checking the tide table before planning a visit.

What will you see there?

The lighthouse is a white, square masonry tower standing 13.40 meters tall. Its construction was approved by ministerial decision on 3 November 1892, work began under the Stourm company in May 1893, and the tower was completed and lit on 15 August 1894. At its lighting, it became the first lighthouse in France where a married couple was officially appointed as keepers — a decision that carried symbolic weight for how the country organized its lighthouse service. From the start, the light served to signal the entrance to the bay of Paimpol, an important fishing and trading harbor on the Goëlo coast.

In 1912 the lighthouse was converted to a permanent, unattended light, ending the on-site keeper arrangement. Today it is fully automated and remains active as a navigational aid, though it no longer serves as living quarters.

When should you visit?

Spring and summer are the best times to come, when longer days and more stable weather let you fully take in the views over the bay of Paimpol and the surrounding cliffs. It's worth timing a visit around low tide, when the Mez-de-Goëlo reefs are exposed and the landscape that gave the lighthouse its name becomes easier to read. A sunset seen from Port Lazo, with L'Ost-Pic silhouetted against the sea, is one of the defining views of this stretch of Brittany.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the L'Ost-Pic lighthouse? No, the lighthouse is automated and not open to visitors on the inside. It can only be viewed from the outside, either from land or from the water.

Why is the lighthouse called L'Ost-Pic? The name comes from the Breton "lost pic" — "magpie's tail" — describing the shape of the rocky point, the tip of a long chain of reefs known as Mez-de-Goëlo.

Where's the best place to see the lighthouse? The best viewpoints are Port Lazo itself and the nearby Bilfot point, from which the lighthouse and the surrounding reefs are fully visible.

What is the history of the lighthouse? It was built between 1893 and 1894 and first lit on 15 August 1894. At its inauguration, a married couple was appointed as keepers — a first for France. The light was automated in 1912.