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lapousmor Aug 21, 2006

As promised....
Here you are!

We visited three light houses from the outside to the inside.

Here comes pics from the first one, my favourite for the view it offers once on its top.

Its name is Phare de Saint-Mathieu (phare= light house).

It is located 48° 19’ 48’’ North 4° 46’ 18’’ West (at our very Far West) on the point Saint Mathieu, in the surroundings of Brest, Finistere.
See on Google map to locate it on the map:
http://maps.google.fr/maps?f=q&hl=fr&q= … 20041&om=1

The light is visible up to 29 nautic miles.
It flashes in white every 5 seconds.

Follow some explanations I found about the lighthouse, the semaphore, the abbey, etc:

Surrounded by the ruins of an ancient XVI century abbey, it was built in 1835 and has 167 steps. It stands 37 metres and is visible for 29 miles.
Nowadays, there are only some houses gathered around the ruins of the abbey, but it should not be believed that, in the past, Saint Mathieu was limited only to the abbey and its dependences.
As of the beginning, a village had been established, attracted by the coast, its possibilities commercial, its richnesses of breaking of wreck and by the presence of the monastery.

The foundation of Saint-Mathieu benedictine abbey is said, as goes a legend, to date back to the 6th century : "breton seamen returned from Ethiopia with a relic of Saint Mathieu for which they built a church". Some say that it was founded by the vicomtes of Leon, at the end of the 11th century. Ransacked many times, the abbey sheltered for some years monks fallen into disgrace. It was abandoned after the French Revolution and used as a quarry. Walking in this windy land's end through the high and imposing ruins gives no idea of what this place was in the past.
The monks kept a fire going for centuries on Pointe Saint-Mathieu. The current lighthouse was put into service in 1835. I gives beautiful sight over Brest straights and roadstead, Crozon peninsula [7], pointe du Raz, Molene islands, Ouessant... Near by the abbey, the semaphore built in 1905 guards this sector of the French littoral. Chapel Notre-Dame de Grace was formerly the parish church of Saint-Mathieu. Sculpted in Kersanton stone by Rene Quillivic, inaugurated in 1927, the National Monument of 1914 - 1918 Seamen, shows the bust of a woman, head covered with a mourning coiffe, face turned to the sea. At its foot, an esplanade for memorial ceremonies with a cenotaph (remembrance cemetery) at the foot of the Fortin.

And now pictures:

Me on the cross/calvary, with behinf the lighthouse and the ruins of the abbey:

The semaphore and the ruins of the abbey:

The chapel viewed from the top of the lighthouse:

Global view from the top of the lighthouse-1 (notice the winmills in the top of the pic):

Global view from the top of the lighthouse-2:

The old lighthouse, which was built on the abbey tower in 1691, in very bad condition, was shortenned (that's why it is now so small) in 1835 and the actual lighthouse replaced it. Here are the remains of the old one:

The metallic stairs leading to the top of the lighthouse, after the stone stairs:

Me on the top of these metallic stairs:

The rotor of the light and the stairs leading to the light:

The engine of the light (placed near the rotor); Malko took that picture but it was not easy because of the lack of access:

Here is the light sensus stricto: see the Fresnel lens (there are a total of 16 half lens). The glasses of the light are 9 mm thick (should mean 3/8 inch):

See the cenotaph and the fortin, and you can notice in the bottom the "head" of the old light house:

That pic shows the foundation of the monk's home that replaced the abbey after it was destructed:

The ceiling of the abbey:

Here you are, my dear friends!

I hope you enjoyed the pictures! I learnt many new words while writing it!

Beary hugs,
Sophie.

patsylakebears Aug 21, 2006

Sophie what fantastic photo's, it looks a very historical place. Thank you for sharing.

SueAnn Help Advisor, Banner SponsorAug 22, 2006

Your photos are wonderful, Sophie . . . love those lighthouses!  You know soooooo much about cars, boats, and lighthouses!  You're a genius!

BootButtonBears Aug 22, 2006

Sophie, you are such a sweetheart to post all those beautiful pictures and information for us all - thank you.  The weather looks like it was perfect for your visit as well.  I have promised our daughter Brittany that we shall take her to Brittany one day!!

Carolyn Green Aug 22, 2006

thanks so much Sophie for sharing your holiday photos and travels with us.
I love the lighthouse pictures - there is something very romantic about a light house.

Also the history of those old buildings - 1691.. incredible that they are still standing after all that time.

Hugs
Carolyn

doodlebears Celebration AmbassadorAug 22, 2006

Lovely photos Sophie. Boy your English is getting great!  What an interesting time you are having. I am scared of heights so I would NOT be climbing light houses like you have, but what wonderful views you had from the top. Thanks again!

Hugs Jane.    

matilda Aug 22, 2006

Oh Sophie it was just wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Your photos are so clear and hold so much detail.
Thankyou for taking me on holiday with you   :hug:
Wendy

Stellajella Aug 23, 2006

Sophie, you must have spent a wonderful time in Brittany!
It looks so calm and a bit rough.
Too bad that I won´t ever get a view from the top of a light house 
Thanx for sharing your holidays with us  :hug:

Gaby