Ar Men

Ar Men
Ar-Men

Lighthouse Ar Men in 2011
Location	Off Île de Sein, Brittany, France
Coordinates	48°3′0″N 4°59′54″W / 48.05000°N 4.99833°W / 48.05000; -4.99833[1]
Tower
Constructed	1867
Construction	granite tower
Automated	1990
Height	32 m (105 ft)
Shape	cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern enclose keeper's quarter
Markings	white upper tower, unpainted lower tower and balcony, black lantern
Operator	Marine Nationale
Heritage	classified historical monument
Light
First lit	1881
Focal height	37 m (121 ft)
Range	23.5 nautical miles (43.5 km; 27.0 mi)
Characteristic	Fl (3) W 20s
France no.	FR-0694[2]

Ar Men ("the rock" in Breton) is a lighthouse at one end of the Chaussée de l'Île de Sein, at the west end of Brittany. It shares its name with the rock on which it was erected between 1867 and 1881. It is a listed monument since 2017.^[3]

Ar Men is one of the best known lighthouses because of its isolated situation and the considerable difficulties its construction has presented, and the danger in evacuating its personnel. Considered one of the most challenging workplaces by the community of lighthouse keepers, it has been named "The Hell of Hells" because of the severe conditions and exposure to the Atlantic.