The French coast is lined with numerous magnificent, historical

lighthouses. A handful of these are still home to lighthouse

keepers, carrying on the tradition of a centuries-old

profession now on the verge of extinction. This book

recounts the lives of these keepers and their predecessors,

and tells of the solitude, risks and perils they face every day.

Showcasing Jean Guichard's famously dramatic photographs

of some of France's finest lights, Lighthouses of France is more

than just a book on lighthouse history : it is also a wonderful

photographic tribute to man's bravery and determination in

the face of the eternal perils of the ocean.

The lighthouses of France are a proud part

of the country's national heritage, both in

terms of their architectural splendor and

the stupendous feats of engineering they

represent. The sixteenth-century tower of

Cordouan, widely recognized as one of the

most beautiful lighthouses in the world,

was one of the first edifices in France to be

classified as a historic monument, along

with the cathedral of Notre Dame. The construction

of La Jument or Ar-Men on rocky

outcrops off the Brittany coast was a prodigious

achievement in the face of the steep-est

of odds. In building towers such as

these, man pitted himself against the elements

at their most savage-and won.

But the history of French lighthouses is

also the more modest, humble story of the

men and women who have lived and

worked in these towers, isolated at sea for

months on end. For centuries, they have

battled with the sea to ensure that come

wind, come storm, the light burns on, to

guide sailors and fishermen back to safe

harbor. Unlike many other countries,

France has resisted the trend toward total

automation, and in a handful of small ports

and seaside towns, the lighthouse keeper is

still a well-known and respected figure.

René Gast's text provides a fascinating

glimpse into the daily lives, past and present,

of these important members of the

community.

Throughout the book, Jean Guichard's

iconic photographs illustrate only too well

the fury of the Atlantic ocean and the perilous

working conditions the lighthouse

keepers face : eyen today at Kéréon light,

keepers are winched down to the deck of

the relief boat by hand, dangling from a

rope over the crashing sea. But Guichard

captures images of lighthouses in more

tranquil conditions as well, perfectly communicating

the romantic calm but also the

solitude their situation entails. Featuring

additional vintage photographs and etchings,

extracts from logbooks, architectural

drawings detailing developments in lighthouse

engineering, and a map of France

locating all the lighthouses discussed,

Lighthouses of France is an essential volume

for all those interested in this eternally fascinating

subject.