Phare du Millier

The Phare du Millier is a lighthouse standing on the Pointe du Millier in the commune of Beuzec-Cap-Sizun, at the southern tip of Cap Sizun in the Finistère department of Brittany. The tower guards the southern entrance to the Bay of Douarnenez and is one of the recognizable landmarks along this stretch of coast.

How do you get there?

Beuzec-Cap-Sizun sits on the road connecting Douarnenez and Audierne, right in the heart of Cap Sizun. The easiest way to reach the lighthouse is by car along local roads heading toward the coast, followed by a short walk on foot — a small parking area lies close to the viewpoint. The coastal path here forms part of the GR34, Brittany's famous customs officers' trail (sentier des douaniers), so a visit to the lighthouse pairs naturally with a longer clifftop walk. There is no large town nearby with tourist-oriented public transport, so having your own car makes visiting considerably easier.

What will you see?

Phare du Millier is a small but distinctive structure — an 8.40-metre tower partly built into the former keeper's house, forming a compact stone block typical of coastal lighthouses from the late 19th century. The walls are granite, the house roof is covered in slate, and the lantern in zinc, giving the whole building a rugged yet coherent look that fits well with the rocky landscape of Cap Sizun. The light itself sits at a focal height of around 36.60 metres above sea level, so despite the tower's modest size, its beam carries far out to sea.

The lighthouse was designed by Louis Harel de la Noé, a bridges-and-roads engineer who was only 27 at the time. Construction was awarded in August 1879 to the contractor Eugène Guillerm, work began in 1880, and final approval of the completed structure was granted on 5 April 1882. The light itself was first lit earlier, on 15 March 1881. The lighthouse remains state property, was electrified in 1965, and was fully automated in 1993 — it now operates without a permanent keeper.

Beyond the building itself, the surroundings are worth lingering over: the cliff coastline around Pointe du Millier is one of the most scenic sections of Cap Sizun, with open views over the Atlantic and the Bay of Douarnenez. It's a favourite spot for hikers and landscape photographers alike.

When should you visit?

The best time to come is from spring through early autumn, when the days are long and the weather is kinder for clifftop walking. In the evening, at sunset, the lighthouse beam against the colours of the Atlantic sky creates a striking scene — a popular moment for photographers. Keep in mind that the Cap Sizun coast can be quite windy, especially in autumn and winter, so appropriate clothing is worth packing whatever the season.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the inside of the lighthouse? The lighthouse is automated and has no permanent keeper, so the interior is generally not open to visitors on a regular basis — the main draw is viewing it from outside and walking the surrounding cliffs.

How tall is the lighthouse? The tower itself is 8.40 metres high, but thanks to its position on a tall cliff, its light sits at a focal height of about 36.60 metres above sea level.

Who designed the Phare du Millier? It was designed by Louis Harel de la Noé, a young bridges-and-roads engineer, with construction carried out by the contractor Eugène Guillerm between 1880 and 1882.

Are there other attractions nearby? Yes — the lighthouse lies along the GR34 trail through the Cap Sizun cliffs, with views over the Bay of Douarnenez and the open Atlantic, making it a good anchor point for a longer coastal walk.