Lighthouses

Bénodet ‘s charm lies not only in its fine sandy beaches and the mouth of the Odet. Its lighthouses watch over the entrance to the harbour and tell the story of its rich maritime history. Let’s take a look at the town’s two iconic lighthouses: the Coq lighthouse and the Pyramide lighthouse.

Shedding light on the resort's maritime history

In Bénodet, the sea is not just a horizon, it’s also a history written in stone and light. The Coq and Pyramide lighthouses, inseparable sentinels, guide sailors through thewinding mouth of the Odet and tell the story of the region’s maritime epics. These lighthouses, with their unique stories of reconstruction and resilience, embody thesoul of Bénodet.

The Pyramid lighthouse a lighthouse steeped in history

Much more than just a beacon, the Pyramide lighthouse is a monument. Its tall silhouette dominates the left bank of theOdet, rising 48 metres above sea level. Its name comes from a stone pyramid that once served as a visual landmark for navigators before lighthouses were built.

The lighthouse we know today is not the one built in 1848: its original 9-metre tower was rebuilt and raised to 38 metres in 1887 to improve beaconing. Unfortunately, the lighthouse was destroyed halfway up by German forces in 1944. It was rebuilt identically and returned to service in 1950.

Today, along with the Coq lighthouse and the Sainte-Marine lighthouse, it forms part of an essential maritime alignment system, ensuring the safety of navigation. Automated since 1993, it no longer has a keeper, but its light projects out over 14 nautical miles, visible as far as theGlénan archipelago, 20 kilometres away. The Pyramid lighthouse cannot be visited.

The Coq lighthouse the faithful companion

Opposite, at themouth of the Odet, stands the Coq lighthouse. Its name comes from a rock visible at low tide that was once shaped like an animal. Built in 1848, this small 11.20-metre-high masonry tower was destroyed during the Second World War and rebuilt identically, returning to service in 1947.

The Coq lighthouse, located 348 metres from the Pyramide lighthouse, is an essential link in the line of sight that guides ships. Painted green and white, it emits a light synchronised with its counterparts, guaranteeing safe navigation. Like the Pyramid lighthouse, it is not open to the public. However, if you walk along the corniche towards the beach, you can go to the foot of the lighthouse to get a closer look and enjoy a unique panorama of the Odet.

Lighthouses

The Pyramid lighthouse a lighthouse steeped in history

The Coq lighthouse the faithful companion

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