Phare de la Croix

Phare de la Croix is a small maritime lighthouse in Concarneau, in the Finistère department of Brittany, standing on the grounds of Port de la Croix right next to the chapel that gave the area its name. The white, twelve-metre tower stands out clearly against the granite buildings along the coast, and it's an easy landmark to spot on a walk along the seafront, on the way to Rodel beach, or heading toward the Marinarium.

Where did this lighthouse come from?

Construction was approved by ministerial decision on 2 May 1846, following an earlier decision made in Paris on 28 January 1845 to mark the channel leading into the anchorage of Concarneau's small harbour. Building work ran through 1846 and 1847 and cost 6,025 francs at the time — a significant sum for a navigational safety project on this stretch of coast in the mid-19th century.

The light was switched on for the first time on 15 October 1848, together with the lighthouse at Beuzec. The two formed a paired navigational alignment: ships entering the harbour lined the two lights up to safely avoid the shoals guarding the channel entrance. The Beuzec light has long since been decommissioned, leaving Phare de la Croix as the only surviving active part of that historic pairing.

How does the lighthouse work today?

The lighthouse is now fitted with a halogen lamp, and its light is visible from 13 nautical miles away, still making it a useful reference point for sailors navigating the waters around the bay of Concarneau. It's listed in international navigational registers under Admiralty number D0928 and NGA number 113-472 — standard identifiers that let sailors anywhere in the world locate it on nautical charts.

What else is there to see nearby?

The lighthouse stands right beside the Croix chapel, which is how the harbour got its name, Port de la Croix. Close by you'll find Rodel beach, a good base for a quiet stretch of seaside time, and the former sailors' shelter, now run as a youth hostel. A little further along sits the Marinarium, a marine biology station open to visitors — a good way to turn a lighthouse stop into something more than a quick photo.

How do you get there?

Port de la Croix sits on the eastern edge of Concarneau, within easy walking distance of Ville Close, the town's walled historic centre. The simplest route is along the coastline: the path runs past seafront promenades and takes you past the fishing harbour that Concarneau is known for across Brittany. Drivers will find parking typical of the residential streets in this part of town nearby.

When should you visit?

The lighthouse can be seen year-round, but the best conditions for a coastal walk and for taking in its silhouette against the sea run from May to September, when Brittany's weather is at its most reliable. In the evening, once dusk sets in, you can actually watch the light itself in action — worth timing a walk to catch that moment.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the lighthouse? Phare de la Croix is an active navigational lighthouse, not a tourist attraction with public access — it's viewed from the quayside, not from inside.

How far is it from central Concarneau? Port de la Croix and the lighthouse are within walking distance of Ville Close, the walled historic centre — the coastal route usually takes somewhere around fifteen to twenty-five minutes on foot.

Is the lighthouse still operational? Yes, it's active, fitted with a halogen lamp, and its light can be seen from 13 nautical miles away.

What else is worth seeing nearby? Rodel beach, the Croix chapel, and the Marinarium marine biology station are all close by and make good additions to a visit to the lighthouse.