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Men-Brial Lighthouse

Oc (2) White/Red/Green 6s🇫🇷Quimper, FROperational

Location & Light Range

About Men-Brial Lighthouse

Men-Brial lighthouse, built in 1911, marks the entrance to the harbor of Sein on Île de Sein, off the coast of Brittany. The stone tower, 14 meters high, features two stages and is painted white with unpainted stone trim, topped by a lantern and gallery. Its focal height reaches 16 meters. The light emits two white flashes every six seconds, with red and green sectors also utilized for guidance. This structure has been an active aid to navigation since its construction. The site is open to visitors, though the tower itself is closed.

Why it matters: The lighthouse is essential for guiding vessels into the harbor of Sein, the only port on the island, which is heavily reliant on maritime access. Its directional light system specifically aids ships navigating the entrance to this remote community.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Oc (2) White/Red/Green 6s
Flash Type
Occulting
Light Color
White/Red/Green
Flash Count
2 flashes
Interval
6s
Raw Code
Oc(2) WRG 6s
Focal Height
16m
Geographic Range
12.2NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1911

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
14m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white with unpainted stone trim
Material
stone

Structure: 2-stage round masonry tower with lantern and gallery

Location

City
Quimper
Country
🇫🇷France
Region
Brittany
Sea Region
entrance to the harbor of Sein, Île de Sein
Latitude
48.0380°
Longitude
-4.8493°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Audierne(12.5 km)
NGA No.
113-256
ARLHS No.
FRA-067
Wikidata
Q1721346 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Men-Brial Lighthouse at night?+
Men-Brial displays the characteristic Oc (2) White/Red/Green 6s — 2 white/red/green flashes every 6 seconds. Each lighthouse has a unique flash pattern published in the List of Lights, allowing mariners to positively identify it and distinguish it from other navigation aids in the area. The white/red/green color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Men-Brial Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Men-Brial Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Île-de-Sein at 0.3 NM to the S. Other ports served include SEIN (0.3 NM S), Plogoff (7.3 NM E), Audierne (12.6 NM E), Plozévet (17 NM E). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Men-Brial Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Men-Brial Lighthouse is currently operational. It is actively maintained and continues to emit its characteristic light signal for marine navigation. Most modern lighthouses are automated and monitored remotely by the national maritime authority.
What shipping routes pass near Men-Brial Lighthouse?+
Men-Brial Lighthouse is located within the English Channel / North Sea corridor — one of the world's busiest maritime corridors connecting the Atlantic to Northern European ports. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Men-Brial Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Men-Brial Lighthouse in real time using MarineRadar. The platform shows live AIS positions of ships in the area, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page to open the live map centered on this lighthouse.