Tourelle de la Plate

The Tourelle de la Plate, also known as Petite Vieille, is a lighthouse located in the Raz de Sein strait, off the northwest coast of France, in the department of Finistère in the Brittany region. The lighthouse was built in 1896 to serve as a warning to ships to keep to the west of the light.

The Tourelle de la Plate has an octagonal turret supported on a cylindrical base, mounted on reinforced concrete. The tower stands at approximately 9.50 meters above the highest high tides. After a violent storm in 1896, the tower was severely damaged and "beheaded." Reconstruction work was completed in 1909, and the first tests took place in 1910. The lighthouse now serves as a cardinal west light, indicating that ships should keep to the east.

The current status of the Tourelle de la Plate is that of a functional lighthouse, warning ships of potential hazards in the Raz de Sein strait. At night, it emits a white flashing light with a 1.2-second interval. The tower's history is marked by challenges, including a severe storm in 1896 and a lengthy reconstruction process. Despite these obstacles, the Tourelle de la Plate continues to play a vital role in maritime safety.

Light and tower

It lies on the Atlantic Ocean. The light has a focal height of 9 metres. The light has a range of 8 nautical miles.