Phare de l'île de Batz

Phare de l'île de Batz is one of Brittany's tallest and most striking lighthouses, standing on a small island just off the port town of Roscoff in Finistère, on France's northwestern coast. At 44 metres, the granite tower ranks among the tallest lighthouses in France and dominates the flat, low-lying island around it.

How old is the lighthouse and who built it?

The need for a light on this stretch of the coast, along the shipping route to the ports of Roscoff and Morlaix, had been discussed since the early 18th century, but construction only began after the building contract was awarded in December 1833. The tower was completed in 1836, designed by engineer Jean-Sébastien Goury, who based the plan on his own earlier lighthouse at Penmarc'h and drew inspiration from the Belle-Île lighthouse, itself designed by brothers Augustin and Léonor Fresnel. The tower was built from dressed granite quarried directly on the island.

How many steps are there, and what do you see from the top?

Climbing to the gallery means tackling 198 steps, which spiral around a hollow central shaft that holds the counterweight for the rotating lens mechanism. The view at the top is one of the finest along the Breton coast: the island and its surrounding channel spread out below, with the Sept-Îles archipelago visible to the east, the Île Vierge lighthouse to the west, the entrance to the Bay of Morlaix, and, on a clear day, the distant outline of the Monts d'Arrée on the southern horizon.

Is there a museum at the lighthouse?

Yes. A museographic exhibition space opened at the base of the tower in July 2018, covering the history of the lighthouse, the daily life of its keepers, and the wider network of lights along the French coast. The exhibition and the climb are only open seasonally, from April to October, so visitors travelling outside those months should plan accordingly.

How do you get to the island and the lighthouse from Roscoff?

Île-de-Batz can only be reached by sea. The crossing from Roscoff takes about 15 minutes and boats run daily, all year round. No advance booking is required — tickets can be bought just before boarding or directly on board. From the harbour on the island, it is a short walk to the lighthouse, easily combined with exploring the rest of the island on foot or by bike.

What else is there to see on the island?

Close to the lighthouse lies the Georges Delaselle Garden, an exotic botanical garden created by a Parisian insurance broker who fell in love with the island and began cultivating rare plants there. The garden today holds close to 2,500 plant species from around the world, many of them subtropical or from the southern hemisphere, thriving thanks to the island's mild maritime climate. It is open from April to November and makes a natural addition to a visit to the lighthouse.

Frequently asked questions

How tall is the Île de Batz lighthouse? The tower stands 44 metres high, making it one of the tallest lighthouses in France.

How many steps lead to the top? Visitors climb 198 steps to reach the lantern gallery.

When was the lighthouse built? It was completed in 1836, designed by engineer Jean-Sébastien Goury.

How do you reach the island from Roscoff? By boat — the crossing takes about 15 minutes, with daily departures and no reservation needed.

Is there a museum inside the lighthouse? Yes, a museographic exhibition has occupied the base of the tower since 2018, open from April to October.

What else is worth seeing nearby? The Georges Delaselle Garden, a short walk from the lighthouse, holds nearly 2,500 exotic plant species and is open from April to November.