Black Stone Lighthouse

Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Pierres-Noires Lighthouse is an emblematic marine work of Finistère, built between 1867 and 1871 on the Pierres-Noires carriageway off Pointe Saint-Mathieu. Inaugurated on 1 May 1872, it was his mission to avoid the dangerous pitfalls of the Four Channel to ships, especially during foggy nights. Its architecture, designed by the engineers Léonce Reynaud, Blanchat and Fenoux, marks an innovation for the period: a slightly truncated granite tower, combining stones from the Aber-Ildut and Kersanton, ensuring stability and resistance to hostile maritime conditions.

The lighthouse has undergone several technical changes since its commissioning. Initially fed with mineral oil (1872), then with oil steam (1903), it was electrified in 1984 with a halogen lamp, before switching to LEDs in 2018. Automatized since 1992, it is now remotely controlled from the Creacshan lighthouse in Ouessant. Its red light, visible at 20 miles, and fog horn activated in fogtime make it an essential landmark for navigation. A maritime tragedy, the sinking of La Gorgone in 1869 (93 victims), underlined the urgency of its construction.

Ranked a historic monument in 2017, the lighthouse benefited from a major renovation of its lantern in 2017-2018, entrusted to the company Crézé (Living Heritage Company label). The historic lantern, degraded by the weather, has been restored with 3D technologies, preserving original elements such as the bronze lion heads. The cost of the works, estimated at €0.4 million, has enabled the modernization of its lighting system while maintaining its architectural heritage. The lighthouse remains owned by the French state and symbolizes 19th century maritime engineering.

The construction project, approved in 1862 and budgeted at 325,000 gold francs, illustrates the ambition of the Ponts-et-Chaussées of the time. The lighthouse, attached to the commune of Conquet, is a witness to the technical and human challenges of securing the Breton coasts. Its listing and classification as historic monuments (2015-2017) recognize its heritage value and its role in regional maritime history.

The archives preserve fifteen plans of the lighthouse (1869-1912), reflecting its architectural evolution. Today, there remains a must-see landmark in the Iroese Sea, combining modern functionality and historical heritage. Its history also reflects the maritime tragedies that marked the region, such as that of La Gorgone, recalling the vital importance of lighthouses for navigation.

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