Once upon a time, there was a much-coveted island opposite Tahiti Beach… But there’s no need to cross the world to discover a little piece of paradise: head for Carantec, for a weekend on Île Louët in Morlaix Bay!
Let’s start with a bit of history…
The lighthouse of Île Louët sits on a rocky island 350 metres off the coast of Carantec, and dates back to 1857. It was home to several lighthouse-keepers and their families until the lighthouse was automated in the 1960s. In 2004, the town of Carantec decided to renovate the lighthouse-keeper’s cottage. The aim was to make this place accessible to everyone, to reveal its identity and to protect its resources.The cottage was renovated to modest standards of comfort, in keeping with the spirit of the island, and the renovation meant that this magical place could then be opened up to the public. Since April 2013, running water has been available on Île Louët, while electricity is provided thanks to solar panels.
The lighthouse-keeper’s cottage
You can stay for one or two nights, choosing one of three different options. Only the house, its outbuildings and the outdoor terrace are rented; the rest of the island remains open to everyone, even when the cottage is rented out. The lighthouse – now automated – is still operational, so for safety reasons it is not accessible.
The cottage itself is a gite that can sleep up to 10 people in modest comfort. It has four rooms, two on the ground floor and two on the first floor:
- A kitchen with sink (and a limited amount of hot water), fridge, 4-ring hob, 2 tables and 10 chairs;
- A bedroom with two beds that offer additional pull-out beds underneath, all 90 x 190cm (sleeping 4 in total);
- Two upstairs bedrooms each with twin beds 90 x 190cm (sleeping 4 in total).
Several outbuildings complete the property:
- The workshop ‘Atelier du cantonnier’, which is a ground-floor room equipped with a table and seating for 10 people, a sink, a fridge and a mezzanine level with two additional single beds of 90 x 190cm.
- The toilets are in the former pig-pen, separate from the main cottage.
- The washroom, with shower and basin (cold water only), are in the Fisherman’s Storeroom, also separate from the main cottage.
The cottage is fully equipped, you simply need to bring your mobile phone (compulsory), drinking water, food, bedsheets, pillowcases and sleeping bags.
-
Magnificent view
On the patio, you’ll have an incomparable view across the sea to the Pointe de Pen al Lann.
At the highest point of the island, you can see every last detail of the panoramic view over the Bay, from Roscoff to Plougasnou via the coasts of St Pol de Léon, Carantec, Plouezoc’h, the Château du Taureau and the islands of the bird reserve.
What they say
Here are a few of the comments left in the Visitor Book since the island was opened up to visitors:
- “Following in the footsteps of our mother, grandfather and grandmother Yves-Marie and Jeanne-Marie Scornet, lighthouse-keepers at Louët from 1930 to 1938 – a truly emotional time together.”
- “So close to the mainland and yet so far, a world to share in all intimacy, the landscapes change with the mood of time passing, it pains me to leave, but for just a few hours, it belonged to me.”
- “Games of hide and seek, a kayak trip among the cormorants, incredible fishing, a flamboyant sunset – this tiny island, set between sky and sea, gave us all this and a whole lot more…”
Jessica de Korte, dutch reporter, shares with us her own experience on Louët
How to reserve
Bookings for 2025 will opened on friday 22th november 2024. Stay tunned and book online on the D-day !
You can follow the latest news about the lighthouse-keeper’s cottage suscribing to our newsletter dedicated to unusual cottages in Morlaix Bay.
How to get to île Louët
All visitors need to provide their own way of coming on to and getting off the island, using a vessel that can safely cross the 300 metres of water between the mainland and the island. You are not allowed to access the island using recreational craft such as a pedalo. If you don’t have a vessel yourself, the Carantec Nautisme Sailing School can arrange a return crossing for 131 € (2024 rate, subject to change in 2025). Please contact them by phone +33 (0)2 98 67 01 12 or you can email them (for the crossing ONLY).
Localize
Île Louët is situated in the middle of Morlaix Bay, in Carantec, close to Roscoff, Morlaix and Batz Island, northwest Brittany.
