Lighthouse of the Old

Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The lighthouse of La Vieille, located on the rock of Gorlebella ("the furthest rock" in Breton), was built between 1882 and 1887 to secure the passage of the Sein raz, known for its violent currents and numerous shipwrecks. Its construction, led by engineer Victor Fenoux, required innovative techniques to overcome the challenges posed by extreme maritime conditions. The rock, 14 metres above the highest seas, provided a more stable base than the previously built Ar-Men lighthouse.

The lighthouse was designed with distinctive architecture, mixing medieval aesthetics and functionality. Its square tower, in grey granite of the island of Sein and blue-green kerantite, expands towards the base and is surmounted by a crenelage. The interior, optimized for a restricted surface, comprises five levels served by a helical staircase. The fire was first lit on 15 September 1887, replacing the line-up lights at the point of Raz.

In 1926, a media drama marked the history of the lighthouse: two guards, maimed from World War I, were blocked for weeks in extreme conditions. Their heroic rescue by local fishermen has led to the exclusion of lighthouse guards at sea from the list of "jobs reserved" for veterans. This lighthouse, automated in 1995, remains a symbol of human resistance to the elements.

The Old Town Lighthouse was listed as a historic monument in 2015, and was classified in 2017. Despite its automation, it continues to play a crucial role in maritime signage. Its lantern, restored in 2019, and its interior fittings testify to the ingenuity of 19th-century builders. Today, it is remote controlled from the island of Sein and remains an emblematic place of Breton maritime heritage.

The lighthouse has inspired cultural works, such as the novel Le Gardien du feu by Anatole Le Braz (1900) or the film Les Gardiens du feu (1992). It also appears on a stamp issued by La Poste in 2019, stressing its importance in the collective imagination. Its unique architecture and its turbulent history make it a must-see monument of Finistère.

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