Saint-Mathieu lighthouse

Facing the Iroise Sea, the Pointe de Saint-Mathieu is a pleasant place to stroll all year round, where you'll find the GR®34 and the Iroise Marine Park, the 11th-century abbey and its museum, the National Memorial to sailors lost at sea and the semaphore, the current lighthouse built in 1835 and its 11th-century ancestor.

The Saint-Mathieu lighthouse, sentinel at the end of the world, was built on the ruins of an ancient abbey. It is a major lighthouse on the French coast, with a range of 45km. Together with the Kermorvan lighthouse, it points the way to the chenal du four, while its alignment with the Portzic lighthouse marks the route into the Brest Narrows. The lighthouse has been listed as a historic monument since May 23, 2011.

37 m high (58 m above sea level), the Saint-Mathieu lighthouse was built in 1835 when the abbey tower fell into disrepair. Built of Aber Ildut granite, it marks the route into the Brest Narrows. Its light, with 1 white flash every 15 seconds, has a range of 24 miles (approx. 45 km).

After climbing the 163 steps (37m), you'll discover the lighthouse lens, a 360° panorama of the Iroise Sea with its maritime life, islands and dozen lighthouses, all commented on by a guide. Round off your guided tour with the temporary exhibition and a screening of short films about the Iroise region and sea.

Finally, continue your stroll by visiting the Abbey Museum, the National Memorial to the Sailors who died for France and the historical trail that leads to the Musée Mémoires 39-45.

The Iroise Sea is one of the most illuminated seas in the world. Lighthouses, beacons and harbor entrance lights form a veritable broom of beams as night falls. At dusk, don't miss the lights coming on and have fun recognizing them. Visit Corsen Point or Saint-Mathieu Point, where guided tours are organized on a regular basis.