For several months, Marc Pointud organized a fundraising campaign to be able to organize a stay at the cursed lighthouse of Tévénnec, located at the western tip of Brittany, in the northern part of the raz de sein. The idea: To raise awareness about the French lighthouse heritage and to collect money to finance the restoration and transformation of the haunted lighthouse into an artist's residence. But also, from a personal point of view, Marc Pointud has been dreaming of living this experience for several years, like a personal retreat. This operation called "Lumière Sur Tévennec" is delayed, due to bad weather conditions and technical obligations.
Finally, isn't the goal of the operation, which was to live on a lighthouse, in the manner of the keepers of the time, questioned? All these technical installations, which in addition to delaying the life on the lighthouse, distort the operation a little and we move away a little from the goal.
Marc Pointud, did you manage to balance your budget?
The financing has been partially completed, but there are still many expenses to come and we still need financing. From now on, we count on donations through the website. It is important for us, because we were expecting a subsidy from the region and we got less than 10%. Finally, the operation will not have public financing, so we count on patronage and donations.
Why haven't you left yet, even though the operation was supposed to start in early October?
We are a bit late because of weather problems, but also because of electrical installations that are late to be set up. Basically, I was supposed to leave at the beginning of October, but the weather was bad in the summer so we were late with the installation. We made up for it in September, but several times we went to Tevennec for nothing, since we couldn't get off the boat. When there is more than a meter of hollow, we can not disembark. But the earlier in the season, the less certain it is to be able to do it.
On the other hand, a satellite link must be installed, but it will not be until October 21. And even then, if the weather permits.
But the operation is maintained and I'm off to spend Christmas and New Year's Eve there. It is quite exceptional, but it can be something special. Personally, I'm ready, I can't wait to leave, but the weather and technical requirements delay my departure.
If the weather does not improve, how will you get to the lighthouse?
I hope to be landed by helicopter, rather than by boat, especially since there is still some food to bring. We have made a request to the Navy, and therefore directly to the Minister of Defense. From now on, it is a question of lobbying, so we are waiting for the answer. Because I don't just need to be dropped off, I need to be brought back.
On site, everything is ready to welcome you?
On the spot, we are installed at ¾. We have already brought furniture, food and water by sea transport. It could have gone much faster if the weather had been good.
Otherwise, on the spot, we will produce electricity with solar panels and batteries, to be able to cook with gas and eat normally.
With your departure date approaching, do you have any fears or apprehensions?
No, I have no fear, on the contrary, I can't wait to leave. I am more apprehensive about the technical conditions.
The corridor on the left and the lower room on the right
Apparently, what drives you crazy is the sound of the sea entering a cavity under the lighthouse. Aren't you afraid that it will drive you crazy too?
The cavity exists, but we have never heard the sounds for the moment. You need special conditions, with swell and wind. However, each time we went there, we chose good weather conditions and we only spent one night there. You have to be able to stay there for a long time to realize that. So yes, maybe I will hear those famous noises.
What will you bring to occupy your days?
I'm going to write my book, so I'm going to bring in what I need to write. I will also make videos for our partners. And then you have to take care of yourself, prepare your food. And then at this time of year, it's early night and late day so the day part is quite shortened. On this side, I am not worried, I will have something to occupy me. And then I will have time to meditate, to enjoy the place and to do nothing. This is also the goal of the operation.
