Phare de la Pointe des Chats

Phare de la Pointe des Chats is a lighthouse on the southeastern tip of Île de Groix in Brittany, standing right at the water's edge on a rocky point flanked by a reef that stretches more than a kilometer out to sea.

Where exactly is this lighthouse, and why here?

Pointe des Chats is the southeasternmost point of Île de Groix, in the Morbihan department. The name comes from how islanders long described the shape of the rocks scattered across the point — locals simply called it the "cats' point." The lighthouse sits directly on granite bedrock, close enough to the sea that storm spray reaches its base. The real reason it was built here is the long, rocky underwater ledge running out from the point, which caused repeated shipwrecks over the decades and pushed the maritime authorities to finally mark the danger with a light.

When was it built, and what does it look like?

The lighthouse was constructed in the 1890s on the site of a former coastal defense battery, and it entered service on 15 October 1898. The tower stands roughly 15 meters tall, with its light positioned just under 18 meters above sea level — noticeably shorter and more compact than Brittany's grand offshore lighthouses. That's by design: this light was meant to warn ships away from a shallow hazard right at the coastline, not to guide vessels from far out at sea. The structure keeps the plain, functional style typical of French warning lighthouses from the late 19th century — an unadorned stone tower built for effectiveness rather than grandeur.

What else is worth knowing about the point itself?

Pointe des Chats is more than just a lighthouse site — the whole headland is a protected geological area prized by rock and mineral enthusiasts. Its rocks contain garnet, micaschist, glaucophane, and epidote, an unusually concentrated mix of minerals for such a small stretch of coastline, which draws geologists and collectors to the site. In 2017, archaeologists uncovered a megalithic burial monument with a funerary chamber near the lighthouse, evidence that the point was already significant to the island's inhabitants back in the megalithic era, long before any lighthouse stood here.

What has changed at the lighthouse recently?

Since 2021 the lighthouse has belonged to the Conservatoire du littoral, the French coastal conservation body. The building underwent a thorough restoration: the stone walls were repointed, the interior was completely renovated, the rainwater cistern was restored to working order, and the surrounding grounds were tidied up. The lighthouse also gained a new purpose — the former keeper's quarters have been converted into overnight accommodation, meaning visitors can now actually spend a night inside it, a rare option among French lighthouses.

How do you get to Pointe des Chats?

Île de Groix is reached by ferry from Lorient, a crossing of around 45 minutes. From the harbor in Groix, the lighthouse at Pointe des Chats is reachable on foot or by bike — it's one of the island's popular coastal walking routes, running along the shoreline with open ocean views the whole way.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the inside of Phare de la Pointe des Chats? Since its restoration, the lighthouse operates as overnight accommodation managed through the Conservatoire du littoral, so interior access is mainly for guests who book a stay rather than for casual guided visits.

Why is it called "des Chats" (of the cats)? The name comes from the local nickname islanders gave the point because of the distinctive shape of the rocks scattered across it, not from any literal connection to cats.

What makes the rocks around the lighthouse special? The headland is a protected geological site with an unusual mix of minerals — garnet, micaschist, glaucophane, and epidote — making it a point of interest for geologists and anyone curious about the island's natural history.

Is the lighthouse still an active navigational aid? Yes. It has operated continuously since 1898 and still warns ships away from the rocky reef extending from the southeastern coast of Île de Groix.