A gift that gives the lighthouse its name
A century after the death of her great-uncle Charles-Marie Le Dall de Kéréon (ensign of the Royal ship, who died guillotined at the age of 19 in 1794), Amiclée Lebaudy offered 580,000 francs to the administration for the construction of a lighthouse between Molène and Ouessant, on condition that it be named Kéréon. This is about half the price of the construction. The administration accepts and launches the construction.
Built on the Pierre hargneuse
The lighthouse is built on a rock named Men Tensel (la Pierre Hargneuse in Breton). It is 2 miles south-east of Ushant Island, in the Fromveur Passage (whose Breton name means "great fright", a passage known for its very violent tidal currents which can reach 9 knots)
The palace of the Underworld
Started in 1907, its construction took 10 years under extreme conditions, even seeing the death of its foreman. Thanks to donations, the lighthouse was given this massive profile and was given a room with a floor decorated with a marquetry wind rose and Hungarian oak panelling.
This rich finish earned it the nickname "the Palace of the Underworld" from its guardians. Supplied with oil until 1972, it is now electrified thanks to a wind turbine and is automated. Since 2004, date of the last handover, it is no longer visited and maintained by the guards. Fortunately classified as a historic monument on 31 December 2015 along with other monumental lighthouses, it will be preserved in this way.
Delimits the passage of the Fromveur
Still in service, its height is 41m (38m above sea level) and its range is 17 miles. Its white light with a red sector, 1 long flash-1 flash runs every 24 seconds, indicates the reefs at the water's edge in its South.
Its location in this poorly paved area, swept by currents and strong offshore gales, makes it a star for photographers. Many have immortalized this lighthouse in the heart of the storm. The best known photos are those of Jean Guichard who devoted his life as a photographer to lighthouses.
