Lighthouses in France stand as wonderful testaments to the country’s seafaring tradition. Although many are now sadly beginning to look shabby, their design and cultural importance make them a must-see for visitors to France. France’s lighthouses are little-known cultural treasures that hark back to a largely forgotten era of Gallic endeavour . All over the French coast, the lighthouses - or phare as they are called in France - have weathered the worst that the Channel and the Atlantic Ocean can throw at them for decades, and in some cases centuries. These striking structures punctuate the skyline around the coastline, forming a marvellous network of guiding lights originally designed to protect the lives of French seamen and ensure the integrity of the nation’s shipping lanes. Some of the most imposing lighthouses can be found in Brittany, and on the tiny Île D’Ouessant just off the mainland. A rocky, wind-battered tranche of land that’s only 5km by 8km long, the island is houses a number of truly breathtaking historical lighthouses, both onshore and off. Encircled by fierce currents and deceptive outcrops of hidden rocks, the island has claimed many lives over the centuries, making its lighthouses of essential practical importance for shipping navigation through this dangerous area. The lighthouses in Brittany are some of the most impressive to be found anywhere in France. From the small, square Phare de Kermorvan with its rugged stone balustrades to the simple yet robust sophistication of the Phare du Petit Minou, the Île D’Ouessant showcases some truly amazing feats of engineering and practical architecture. The lighthouses are even more magnificant when one considers that most were built in the early years of the nineteenth century, when design techniques were nowhere near as advanced as they are now. The fact that these structures are still standing in the face of such severe weather conditions is a credit to the skill and tenacity of the men who built them. Reaching the Île D’Ouessant is quick and easy - just catch a Zeebrugge channel ferry to France and travel to Brest in Brittany. There the twice a day ferry will take you over to the island for a very modest fee. Once there, you can explore the island on foot or by bike, taking in the unique sights of these commanding silent guards.