Paon lighthouse

Phare du Paon is a lighthouse standing on a rocky headland at the northern tip of Île-de-Bréhat, a small island off the Brittany coast in the Côtes-d'Armor department. The tower rises on the Rocher du Paon, surrounded by the pink granite outcrops that give this stretch of coastline its name, the Côte de Granit Rose.

How do you get there?

Île-de-Bréhat sits just off Paimpol and can only be reached by boat, with regular crossings from Port-Lazo or Pointe de l'Arcouest. Cars are banned on the island itself, so the last stretch to the lighthouse has to be covered on foot or by bike. The route crosses the island toward its northern end, finishing on a path through heathland and granite boulders, with the grey-and-white tower visible well before you reach it.

What will you find there?

The lighthouse is a square, three-storey tower with an attached former keeper's house, built from local pink granite quarried around Bréhat and Ploumanac'h. It stands wedged into a fault between two large boulders, which only adds to the raw, maritime feel of the setting. Together with the Rosédo lighthouse elsewhere on the island, Phare du Paon marks the safe passage through the Horaine reef, one of the trickier stretches of water along this part of the coast.

The rocks surrounding the tower have the deep pink hue typical of the whole coastline between Perros-Guirec and Bréhat. A mild microclimate, shaped by the Gulf Stream, lets Mediterranean-looking vegetation take hold here, in contrast to the usual Atlantic Breton coast further along. From the viewpoint by the lighthouse, you can look out over the sea, nearby islets, and the heather-covered heathland that covers the northern end of Bréhat.

Where does today's lighthouse come from?

Construction of the original lighthouse was authorised in the mid-19th century and completed around 1860. During the Second World War, in 1944, retreating German troops blew up the tower. It was rebuilt in almost identical form between 1948 and 1952, keeping the original neo-Breton character of the building, including the protruding blocks of pink granite left on the otherwise smooth masonry.

When should you visit?

The lighthouse and its surrounding rocks look their best on sunny days, when the pink granite contrasts sharply with the blue of the sea, an effect that's strongest in the low light of early morning and late afternoon. Spring and early autumn are the quietest times to explore the island, while summer brings noticeably more visitors, drawn by Bréhat's popularity as a day trip from Paimpol.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the lighthouse? No, it remains an active navigation aid and isn't open to visitors inside; the appeal lies in the building itself and its rocky surroundings.

How long is the walk from the harbour? Walking from the island's main harbour to the lighthouse usually takes around 30 to 45 minutes, depending on pace and the route chosen.

Why are the rocks around it pink? It comes from pink granite, a mineral characteristic of this part of the Brittany coast known as the Côte de Granit Rose.

Can you drive to the island? No, cars are not allowed on Île-de-Bréhat; visitors get around on foot or by bicycle.