Pointe du Grouin

Geographical location

The Pointe Du Grouin is a promontory on the Emerald Coast in the north-eastern Brittany, situated about four kilometers north of the community Cancale.

The cliffs consist of Plutonitgestein, mainly granodiorite and Trondhjemit. They fall steeply towards the water off and have a height of up to 50 meters.

The cape is covered with heather and since 1961 a nature reserve. In July 2007, 60 plant species were recorded, including sea fennel, Alante, Knapweed and thrifts. In addition to the cape are two islands, including the 1100 meters long and up to 100 meters wide Ile in the country. Here, large colonies of cormorants, shags, fire geese, oystercatchers and various gulls are -like (especially silver and herring gulls ).

Approximately 2,800 meters off the Cape on a small cliff stands the 28 meter tall white lighthouse Pierre -de- Herpin, which annually draws 15,000 ships around the headland. 1876 ​​began with the construction, on 1 October 1882 lighthouse keeper took to his service. The lighthouse is operated automatically in 1970 electrified since 1988. Starts between the mainland and the lighthouse every four years, the transatlantic single-handed yacht race Route du Rhum.

On the headland itself, erected in 1861 semaphore is for monitoring of vessel traffic, are routed from which also rescue missions and serving as a weather station. The cape is developed for tourism by two restaurants and a hotel. In semaphore art exhibitions. Furthermore you will find on the Cape remnants German bunkers from the Second World War.