They watch over the coast of Legends but are rarely visited: the Pontusval lighthouse and the Brignogan semaphore (Finistère) are exceptionally opening their doors to the public for the heritage days, these 21 and 22 September. If the places are already all reserved, we will take you for a visit in photos.
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Overlooking the sea, sitting on its granite cape, The Pontusval lighthouse, one of the most emblematic lighthouses on the Côte des Légendes. This weekend of September 21 and 22, it exceptionally opens its doors to the public on the occasion of the Heritage Days.This is the first time the lighthouse has opened, it was private property before,” signals Jessica Marrec from the Côtes des Légendes tourist office.
Commissioned in 1869, the Pontusval lighthouse was manned by ten keepers in 150 years. Automated in 2003, it continued to welcome its last keeper after her retirement, until recently.It remained in its original state. Marie-Paule [Le Guen] lived there until last year, from 1968 to 2023,” says the guide.
The lighthouse has remained in its original condition.
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© Régis Massini / France Télévisions
The walls are covered with photos.”We asked people to bring us their pictures of the lighthouse. It is dear to many people’s hearts,” glisse Jessica Marrec.
The lighthouse peaks at 18 meters and the view is worth it : after the rise of the 56 steps to access the lantern, the visitor can admire the landscapes.We are at the top of the coast of legends, we see all this rocky coast that this lighthouse was supposed to protect, explains Jessica Marrec. The visits are exclusive: there is no limit downstairs, but we can only have four people at a time.”
At the level of the lighthouse lantern, 18 meters high, you can admire part of the Côte des Légendes.
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© Régis Massini / France Télévisions
An opening that has already found its audience: the places to go up to the top of the lighthouse were gone in five minutes.The Bretons are particularly attached to maritime heritage and especially to lighthouses. Of the 148 French lighthouses, a third are in Brittany and the highest concentration is in North Finistère.”
On the neighboring cape, the Brignogan semaphore also opens its doors for the European Heritage Days. This is a first since 2016.We are a bit like the eyes and ears of the authorities of the naval operational center in Brest and also of the Cross Corsen,” introduces Master Chief Vincent, head of the semaphore station.
The Brignogan semaphore, one of the newest in France, was opened in 1980.
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© Régis Massini / France Télévisions
Six people work in this semaphore built in 1980. Their surveillance perimeter extends over most of the coast of northern Finistère, from the Abers region to Plouescat.Among the various visual monitoring services that we provide, we use high-magnification binoculars, which multiply visual acuity by 25,” describes the station chief.
200 only people will be able to discover the semaphore this weekend. And, like the lighthouse, all the places have already been reserved.
With Claire Villalon.
