Old Île Vierge lighthouse

The old Île Vierge lighthouse stands on a small islet just off the coast of Lilia, a village in the commune of Plouguerneau in Brittany. It was the first lighthouse built on this rocky outcrop — decommissioned today, yet still standing right beside its much taller successor, the new Île Vierge lighthouse, the tallest stone lighthouse in the world. It's worth clarifying from the outset: this description covers the older, shorter tower, not the famous newer one.

How do you get there?

The islet of Île Vierge sits close to shore near Lilia and Plouguerneau, in the Finistère department at the north-western tip of Brittany. By car, you follow local roads along the Côte des Abers, then reach the island either by a small local boat crossing or, at low tide, across the exposed seabed on foot. Access depends heavily on the tide, so checking tide tables before visiting is essential. The old lighthouse itself is closed to visitors, so most people view it from the shore or from a boat rather than stepping inside.

What will you see?

The old lighthouse is a square granite tower, 33 metres tall, built between 1842 and 1845 to a design by engineer Léonce Reynaud. Its first light — a fixed white beam visible from 14 nautical miles — was lit for the first time on 15 August 1845. The tower originally held a Fresnel lens fuelled by rapeseed oil, an advanced setup for its era. Today the structure is out of service and functions only as an "amer," a fixed landmark helping sailors navigate this notoriously rocky stretch of coast. It cannot be visited inside, but its plain 19th-century silhouette standing next to the much taller early-20th-century lighthouse makes for a striking sight for anyone interested in lighthouse history.

Why was a new lighthouse built?

By 1863 the old lighthouse's beam was already too weak for the growing maritime traffic off the Breton coast. A first proposal for a taller replacement was rejected in 1896, and a revised plan was approved the following year. The new lighthouse was built between 1897 and 1902 and was first lit on 1 March 1902, reaching a height of 82.5 metres — it, not the older tower described here, is the tallest traditional stone lighthouse in the world today. Both lighthouses stand side by side on the same islet and have been listed as a protected historic monument since 2011.

When should you visit?

Low tide is the best time to visit, when the seabed around the islet is partly exposed, making it easier to approach on foot or get a close view. Summer offers longer days and calmer conditions along the Côte des Abers, better suited for walking and photographing both towers against the sea. In autumn and winter the Atlantic can turn genuinely rough here, which adds a wild appeal but makes reaching the island itself much harder.

Frequently asked questions

Is the old Île Vierge lighthouse open to visitors? No — unlike the new 1902 lighthouse, the old tower is decommissioned and closed to the public. It now only serves as a navigational landmark for sailors.

How does the old lighthouse differ from the new one? The old lighthouse is 33 metres tall and was built between 1842 and 1845, while the new one stands 82.5 metres tall and was constructed between 1897 and 1902. The new lighthouse is the one still in operation and holds the title of tallest stone lighthouse in the world.

Why was a new lighthouse built when the old one already existed? From 1863 onward, the old lighthouse's light was too weak for the increasing sea traffic, so a much taller and more powerful structure was built to replace it.

How do you reach the Île Vierge islet from Lilia? Access depends on the tide — at low water you can walk across to the island or take a short local boat crossing; it's best to check tide times in advance.