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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The lighthouse of the Grand Jardin, located in Saint-Malo (Ille-et-Vilaine), was initially lit in 1868 on the Pierre du Jardin, southwest of the island of Cézembre. Its construction, inspired by Eddystone's lighthouse, began in 1865 with a characteristic flared base. It was partially destroyed in 1944 during the fighting for the liberation of Saint-Malo, then rebuilt between 1945 and 1950 by the Malouin architects Henri Auffret and Joël Hardion, as part of the post-Second World War Reconstruction program.

The lighthouse plays a key role in marking the dangerous approaches to Saint-Malo, marking the channels of access to the port via alignments with other lighthouses (Rochebonne, La Balue). In 1953, a bas-relief by Francis Pellerin representing Neptune was added under the lantern. Modernized, it was electrified in 1979 and automated in 1982, losing its status as a guarded lighthouse. Ranked a historic monument in 2012, it symbolizes both the legacy of 19th-century lighthouses and post-war architectural innovation.

A tragic event marked its history: on November 18, 1905, the Hilda steamer, en route to Saint-Malo, ran aground near the lighthouse in snow, causing the death of 125 people out of 131 on board. The guards, despite their proximity, could not intervene in time. This drama illustrates the persistent dangers of the Malouin coast, despite the presence of the lighthouses.

Architecturally, the Grand Jardin lighthouse is distinguished by its superior rotunda and interiors designed to improve the living conditions of the guards, a rare concern for the time. Today, its LED light (visible at 17 nautical miles) still guides ships, perpetuating its historic role in regional maritime safety.

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