Phare de Pen-Men

The Phare de Pen-Men stands on the northwestern tip of the island of Groix, off the coast of Brittany in the Morbihan department. Its square tower rises above the clifftops and ranks among the island's most recognizable landmarks, visible both from the sea and from the coastal footpath that circles the island.

Where exactly is the lighthouse?

Pen-Men sits at the far northwestern edge of Groix, a small Atlantic island a short sail from the port city of Lorient. It's the most exposed point of the island, facing directly into the open ocean and the strongest winds. The surrounding landscape is classic Breton coastline — heathland, low scrub, and steep cliffs dropping to the water below.

How do you get to Groix and the lighthouse?

There's no bridge to Groix — the only way in is by ferry from Lorient, a crossing of roughly 45 minutes. Once you land at Port-Tudy, the lighthouse is best reached on foot or by bicycle; car traffic on the island is limited, and bikes are by far the most common way visitors get around. The route to Pen-Men runs either through the island's interior or along the coast, and typically takes between thirty minutes and an hour depending on the path chosen and walking pace.

What's the history behind Pen-Men?

The story goes back to the late 18th century. A first lighthouse project was approved by decree in January 1794, but the cylindrical tower being built collapsed once construction was already two-thirds complete — the ground at the site turned out to be too soft to support it. The project was shelved for decades.

It wasn't until 1829 that the lighthouse commission approved a new structure, this time roughly 200 metres from the ruins of the failed first attempt. A plan drawn up in March 1835 called for a tower with a square base and a cylindrical top, standing 30 metres tall. In the end, the design was changed to a fully square tower — a deliberate choice, so that Pen-Men's silhouette would be clearly distinguishable from the lighthouse on Belle-Île, helping sailors tell the two lights apart along this stretch of coast. Construction was completed in 1836, and the light entered service in 1839.

What does the lighthouse look like today?

The current structure is a square tower rising above a rectangular building that once housed the keepers' quarters as well as the machine room and radio beacon room. The tower itself stands about 27.6 metres tall, while the light sits nearly 65 metres above sea level — a height that comes from the lighthouse's position atop a high cliff rather than from the tower alone. Pen-Men is the most powerful lighthouse in the entire Morbihan department, with a range of about 29 nautical miles, roughly 54 kilometres.

When is the best time to visit?

Late spring through early autumn brings the most reliable weather and the easiest walking along the clifftop paths. Ferries run more frequently in summer, making a day trip from Lorient easy to plan. That said, the area around the lighthouse is exposed to strong winds year-round, so it's worth packing a windbreaker even on warm days.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the lighthouse? Pen-Men is mainly a landmark to admire from the outside, as part of a coastal walk — that's how most visitors experience it.

How long is the ferry ride to Groix? The crossing from Lorient to Port-Tudy on Groix takes about 45 minutes.

Why is the tower square rather than round? The square shape was chosen deliberately to make Pen-Men's outline distinct from the round lighthouse on Belle-Île, so sailors could tell the two apart at night.

Is Pen-Men a tall lighthouse? The tower itself is about 27.6 metres, but thanks to its clifftop position the light stands nearly 65 metres above sea level, making it the most powerful lighthouse in Morbihan.