Ar Men
Ar Men has a focal height of 37 metres, a tower height of 32 metres and a range of 21 nautical miles. It was built in 1867.
- Focal height
- 37 metres
- Tower height
- 32 metres
- Range
- 21 nautical miles
- Built
- 1867
- First lit
- 1881
- Automated
- 1990
- Light characteristic
- Fl (3) W 20s
- Coordinates
- 48.05, -4.99833
Ar Men is a lighthouse located off the Île de Sein in Brittany, France. The lighthouse was built between 1867 and 1881 on a rock that is only exposed at low tide. It is a listed monument since 2017 and is known for its isolated location and the difficulties its construction presented.
The lighthouse is a cylindrical tower with a balcony and lantern, standing 32 meters high. It has a distinctive white upper tower, unpainted lower tower and balcony, and a black lantern. The light has a range of 23.5 nautical miles and is characterized by three white flashes every 20 seconds. The lighthouse was automated and electrified in 1990, with a 250-watt halogen lamp.
Ar Men was considered one of the most challenging workplaces for lighthouse keepers due to its isolated location and severe conditions. The construction of the lighthouse was plagued by difficulties, with workmen able to land on the rock only seven times in the first year of work. The lighthouse was eventually completed in 1881, and keepers staffed it in 30-day shifts until automation. Today, the lighthouse is accessible only by helicopter or boat, and is considered one of the most symbolic lighthouses at sea.
Light and tower
It lies on the Atlantic Ocean. It has a cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern enclose keeper's quarter tower. The tower is built of granite. Its daymark is white upper tower, unpainted lower tower and balcony, black lantern. The light has a focal height of 37 metres. The light has a range of 21 nautical miles. Its light characteristic is Fl (3) W 20s. It was first lit in 1881. It was automated in 1990. It is managed by Marine Nationale.
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Details
- Marking
- white upper tower, unpainted lower tower and balcony, black lantern
- Range Nm
- 21
- Year Built
- 1867
- Description
- '''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. It is a listed monument since 2017.
- Tower Shape
- cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern enclose keeper's quarter
- Body Of Water
- Atlantic Ocean
- Image Caption
- Lighthouse Ar Men in 2011
- Location Text
- Off [[Île de Sein]], [[Brittany]], [[France]]
- Focal Height M
- 37
- Managing Agent
- Marine Nationale
- Tower Height M
- 32
- Year Automated
- 1990
- Year First Lit
- 1881
- Light Characteristic
- Fl (3) W 20s
- Construction Material
- granite tower