The Virgin Island probably owes its name to the convent that was built around 1450, where a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary was erected. The monks then left the island in 1509 to settle in Aber Wrac'h.
This island is located in the east of the Aber Wrac'h entrance, less than a mile from the land. It can even be reached on foot by high tide. It belongs to the commune of Plouguerneau.
A first lighthouse still in place was built between 1842 and 1845. It consists of a house of guards on 2 floors raised by a tower which culminates at 33 m. It was lit for the first time on August 15, 1845. Its fixed light had a range of 14 miles. Today the white tower is only used as a bitter.
Indeed, a much higher tower was built between 1897 and 1902. The current lighthouse is 82.50 m high. The focus, which culminates at 77 m above sea level, has a range of 27 miles. It sweeps a large part of North Finistère. It is a white light (1 flash every 5 seconds).
The construction is limited to a tower. There is no dwelling, the lighthouse keepers continuing to use the one of the old lighthouse. The interior of the lighthouse is lined with 12,500 opaline tiles that bring a strange light into the interior. A huge spiral staircase with 360 suspended steps forms the only feature of the lighthouse. At the top, a metal staircase of 32 steps gives access to the lantern.
If the lighthouse was electrified in 1956, the keepers remained present until October 29, 2010, date of the last changeover. Since then, the lighthouse is fully automated and controlled from the Créac'h lighthouse on the island of Ushant.
