Year first lit 1881 Focal height 37 m (121 ft) Opened 1867 Automated 1990 | Construction granite tower Height 32 m Range 43,522 m Year first constructed 1867 | |
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Tower shape cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern enclose keeper's quarter Markings / pattern white upper tower, unpainted lower tower and balcony, black lantern Similar La Vieille, Île de Sein, La Jument, Phare de Tévennec, Faro del Canal del Four | ||
Ar Men ("the rock" in Breton) is a lighthouse at one end of the Chaussée de l'Île de Sein, at the west end of Brittany. It shares its name with the rock on which it was erected between 1867 and 1881.
Ar Men is one of the best known lighthouses because of its isolated situation and the considerable difficulties its construction has presented, and the danger in evacuating its personnel. Considered as one of the most challenging workplaces by the community of lighthouse keepers, it has been named "The Hell of Hells".
History
In 1825, the need for a light built on one of the reefs of the Chaussee de Sein was already recognized, but it was thought impracticable to build. A commission was appointed in 1860 to look at the possibility of building a light, and after six years reported that a lighthouse should be constructed on the Ar Men. Despite the estimated 50 square feet (4.6 m2) of rock only being uncovered at dead low water, work began in 1867. In the first year of work workmen were able to land on the rock on only seven occasions and could spend a total of just eight hours drilling holes there for the foundation.
By 1879 the height of the tower was nearly 60 feet (18 m).
The light was automated and electrified on 10 April 1990, with a 250 watt halogen lamp. Its signal is three white flashes every twenty seconds, with an accompanying signal of three sounds every sixty seconds.
