Definition
Goulphar Lighthouse is a coastal lighthouse situated on the south‑west tip of Belle‑Île, an island in the Morbihan department of Brittany, north‑western France. It serves as an aid to maritime navigation for vessels traveling in the Bay of Biscay and the approaches to the port of Lorient.
Overview
The lighthouse was erected in the early 19th century under the authority of the French Ministry of the Navy. Construction began in 1830 and the structure was completed and first lit in 1835. It is owned and operated by the French maritime authority (Service des Phare et Balises). The tower remains active and is automated; its light is visible for several dozen nautical miles, providing a critical landmark for ships navigating the often‑hazardous coastal waters surrounding Belle‑Île.
Etymology/Origin
The name “Goulphar” derives from the local toponym of the headland on which the lighthouse stands. The term is of Breton origin; however, the precise meaning of the Breton elements that compose the name has not been definitively established.
Characteristics
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Goulphar Point, Belle‑Île, Morbihan, Brittany, France (approximately 47°31′N 2°37′W) |
| Construction period | 1830 – 1835 |
| Architect/Engineer | Built under the direction of the French Navy’s engineering corps; the specific chief engineer is not consistently recorded in primary sources. |
| Structure | Cylindrical stone tower, painted white with a black lantern roof; stands on a rocky foundation. |
| Height | Tower height of roughly 55 m (180 ft). |
| Focal plane | Light is positioned at approximately 71 m (233 ft) above mean sea level. |
| Optical system | Originally equipped with a first‑order Fresnel lens; the lens has been modernised with an electric light source while retaining the historic optic. |
| Light characteristic | Flashing white light, with a period of 5 seconds (Fl W 5s). |
| Range | Visible up to about 27 nautical miles (50 km) under normal atmospheric conditions. |
| Automation | Fully automated; the keeper’s house is no longer occupied. |
| Heritage status | Listed as a monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture (designation date not specified in readily available sources). |
Related Topics
- List of lighthouses in France – Goulphar Lighthouse is part of the national network of coastal lights.
- Belle‑Île (Île de Belle‑Île‑en‑Mer) – The island’s geography and tourism are closely linked to the presence of the lighthouse.
- Fresnel lens – The optical technology originally employed at Goulphar Lighthouse.
- French maritime navigation – The broader system of aids to navigation administered by the Service des Phare et Balises.
All information provided reflects the current state of publicly available and verifiable sources. Where precise details (e.g., exact engineering personnel) are not conclusively documented, the entry notes the uncertainty rather than speculating.