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Parc Naturel Marin

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Phare d'Ar-Men, located in the stunning Parc Naturel Marin off the coast of Brittany, France, is a remarkable 19th-century lighthouse that stands as a testament to engineering resilience. Known as "the Rock" in Breton, this iconic lighthouse has withstood the relentless forces of nature since its completion in 1881. It is situated on a rock that is often submerged during high tides, making it a unique and captivating sight for visitors and maritime enthusiasts alike.

The construction of Phare d'Ar-Men was a monumental task that took fourteen years to complete, overcoming extreme weather conditions and treacherous sea states. The lighthouse was officially lit on August 31, 1881, and has since become a symbol of maritime navigation in the region. Its automation in 1990 marked a significant technological advancement, allowing it to operate without a permanent crew, while its halogen light now boasts a range of nearly 43 kilometers.

While the lighthouse itself is not open to the public for tours, visitors can appreciate its beauty from nearby boats or during guided maritime excursions. The surrounding waters are rich with marine life, making it a popular spot for dolphin watching and other water activities. The breathtaking views of the rugged coastline and the dramatic waves crashing against the rock create an unforgettable experience for those who venture close.

Phare d'Ar-Men is located approximately 30 kilometers off the coast of Brittany, making it a prime destination for those exploring the natural beauty of the region. Nearby attractions include the stunning Île de Sein, known for its picturesque landscapes and rich history. Visitors can also explore the Parc Naturel Marin, which offers a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, bird watching, and sailing.

Isolated 19th-century lighthouse surrounded by the sea, on a rock submerged at high tide.

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"AR MEN" in Breton means stone, it is the name of the rocks which make up the Chaussée de Sein, a barrier of reefs which extends the island to the west, for almost eight miles.  The sea is constantly breaking there with extreme violence.  The transatlantic liners (Le Havre-New York link) call at Brest.  Also, the Lighthouse Commission is looking into the project of a lighthouse installed on these reefs in 1860. After a few attempts, it was not until April 16, 1867 that engineer Paul Joly succeeded for the first time in setting foot on the rock.  The engineer recruits sailors and contracts for the drilling of holes in the rock, intended for the sealing of metal bars which will serve as reinforcement for the seat of the lighthouse. It took fourteen years to complete the construction of this stone building. The construction of Ar-Men was undoubtedly the most difficult achievement and it was on February 18, 1881 that the lighthouse was lit for testing.  Finally on August 31, 1881 the lighthouse comes on permanently.  The workers at Cape Sizun experienced hell, the difficulty of access to the rock led the engineers to underestimate the size of the foundations.  Worried about the too reduced diameter of the tower compared to its height and after several investigations, they will decide to carry out a protective belt or envelope of 11.20 meters in height which will rise up to the height of the platform. This consolidation work will last another 17 years.  It was only in 1897, 32 years after the first investigation by engineer Joly, that the tower of Ar-Men could be considered to be truly completed, that is to say, safe from all danger. Life on board the lighthouse is like its construction: in winter very difficult;  in the lighthouse of Ar-Men as in the other lighthouses at sea, the guards are two in number, being part of a team of three who in turn spend two weeks at the lighthouse, then a week on land,  again a week at the lighthouse, and another week on land.  They provide two day and two night highlight shifts. Every Tuesday, weather permitting, the supply star approaches its bow of the lighthouse without ever docking it.  A cable link is then provided between the boat and the lighthouse and it is on a balloon that the exchanges of people, food, materials, water, fuel are carried out. Until 1988, the light device consisted of optics, blackout panels (which protect the lens from the sun's rays), and in the center of the device, the sleeve intended to ignite the vaporized oil under pressure.  With a small lamp working with alcohol, the electromechanic heats the body of the generator.  Its role: to cause the passage of oil from the liquid state to that of vapor.  To produce the brightness and the radiation in all directions, this optic is mounted on a mercury bath which ensures a high precision rotation. On April 10, 1990, the Ar-Men lighthouse was automated. It is the first lighthouse to be automated on the Finistère coast, due to the conditions of access and difficult life. The replacement of the petroleum fire with a halogen fire increased the range of its brightness from twenty to twenty four miles.  In the event of a breakdown, the emergency light automatically takes over. To ensure maximum reliability, they doubled all the equipment. Now it is remote controlled and no longer guarded.

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Dreissig Kilometer vor der Küste der Bretagne im Atlantischen Ozean trotzt ein ganz besonderes Bauwerk seit fast 150 Jahren Wind und Wellen.
Der zwischen 1867 und 1881 erbaute Leuchtturm Ar Men. Sein Name ist bretonisch und bedeutet "Der Felsen".
Aufgrund seiner isolierten Lage weit draussen im Atlantik, und der schwierigen Arbeitsbedingungen, gepaart mit einer teilweise über Wochen und Monaten nicht möglichen Ablösung oder Evakuierung der Turmbesatzung wurde er auch als "Hölle der Höllen" genannt.
Die Arbeiten zum Ar Men Projekt stellten sich zur damaligen Zeit als äusserst schwierig dar, weil das gerade Geschaffene durch den starken Wellengang, oft gleich wieder zerstört wurde. Die Arbeiten dauerten deshalb mit vierzehn Jahren ungewöhnlich lange.
Nach der Eröffnung, mussten im Ar Men stets zwei Leuchtturmwärter gleichzeitig in zwei Schichten arbeiten, denn sie mussten das Signalfeuer rund um die Uhr im Betrieb halten. Der Felsen der oft vom Meer komplett überflutet wird, war ihre ganze Welt, teilweise für Monate, manchmal für Jahre.
1990 wurde der Turm automatisiert und ist seither nicht mehr bewohnt.
Das weisse Halogen Licht des 33,5 Meter hohen Turms hat eine Reichweite von fast 43 Kilometern.
Fast 120 Jahre kämpften hier Menschen mit den Gezeiten - und ihrer Einsamkeit!
Heute kann jeder ein Stück der Geschichte   des kargen und entbehrungsreichen Lebens auf dem Felsen nachlesen, denn der ehemalige Leuchtturmwärter Jean-Pierre Abraham hat über seine Zeit dort ein Buch geschrieben, das 1967 veröffentlicht wurde.

Thirty kilometers off the coast of Brittany in the Atlantic Ocean, a very special structure has defied wind and waves for almost 150 years.
The Ar Men lighthouse, built between 1867 and 1881. Its name is Breton and means "The Rock".
Due to its isolated location far out in the Atlantic and the difficult working conditions, coupled with the fact that it was sometimes not possible to relieve or evacuate the tower crew for weeks and months, it was also called the “hell of hells”.
The work on the Poor Men project was extremely difficult at the time because what had just been created was often immediately destroyed again by the strong waves. The work therefore took an unusually long time, fourteen years.
After the opening, two lighthouse keepers had to work in two shifts at the same time in Ar Men because they had to keep the signal fire operational around the clock. The rock, which is often completely submerged by the sea, was their entire world, sometimes for months, sometimes for years.
The tower was automated in 1990 and has not been inhabited since.
The white halogen light of the 33.5 meter high tower has a range of almost 43 kilometers.
For almost 120 years, people struggled with the tides - and their loneliness!
Today everyone can read a piece of the story of the barren and deprived life on the rock, as the former lighthouse keeper Jean-Pierre Abraham wrote a book about his time there, which was published in 1967.

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À l'occasion d'un stage de pilotage en mer j'ai eu la joie de m'approcher du phare mythique d'Armen, avec une mèr plutôt calme ... quel moment merveilleux, quel endroit exceptionnel !

During a piloting course at sea I had the joy of approaching the legendary Armen lighthouse, with a rather calm mother... what a wonderful moment, what an exceptional place!

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'"L'Enfer des enfers" .Le phare de pleine mer le plus loin de tout .Une construction titanesque .Un moment magique en Zodiac avec les dauphins en plus !! L'Etat n'a plus d'argent pour la restauration du Phare ,qui est en mauvais état .Il faut sauver Ar-Men

'"The Hell of the Underworld". The open sea lighthouse furthest from everything. A titanic construction. A magical moment in the Zodiac with the dolphins too!! The State no longer has money for the restoration of the Lighthouse, which is in poor condition. Ar-Men must be saved

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Tout simplement somptueux , Le phare d'Ar-Men (Ar Men signifiant « le rocher » ou « la pierre » en breton) est un phare en mer construit entre 1867 et 1881 à l'extrémité de la chaussée de Sein, à la pointe ouest de la Bretagne

Simply sumptuous, the Ar-Men lighthouse (Ar Men meaning “the rock” or “the stone” in Breton) is a sea lighthouse built between 1867 and 1881 at the end of the Chaussee de Sein, at the tip western Brittany

Discover the Historic Ar-Men Lighthouse in Parc Naturel Marin, France

Lighthouse

The Phare d'Ar-Men stands as a majestic sentinel over the tumultuous waters of the Atlantic, its silhouette gracefully etched against the sky at Parc Naturel Marin on Île de Sein. This iconic lighthouse, often hailed as one of the most formidable and picturesque in France, rises defiantly from the waves, a testament to the maritime heritage of this enchanting region. Surrounded by the raw beauty of nature, its beacon has guided countless sailors through perilous seas, offering a sense of safety and warmth amid the chaotic dance of the ocean. Visitors can immerse themselves in the island’s charm, where quaint houses dot the landscape and the vibrant local culture breathes life into the scenery. Phare d'Ar-Men is more than a mere lighthouse; it is a symbol of hope and perseverance, inviting travelers to forge unforgettable memories within the embrace of nature’s unyielding beauty.

Phare d'Ar-Men

Discover the breathtaking Phare d'Ar-Men in Parc Naturel Marin, France. Experience stunning views and rich maritime history—explore today!

Discover the Historic Ar-Men Lighthouse in Parc Naturel Marin, France

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Visiting Phare d'Ar-Men

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