When the question of lighting this inhospitable stretch of coast arose, the French authorities debated whether it would not be easier, cheaper, and more satisfactory, to place the lighthouses on the mainland at a sufficient altitude, and to fit them with adequately powerful lights to indicate the outlying reefs. The general opinion was in favour of such a practice. So when Léonce Reynaud proposed to mark the Heaux de Bréhat with a magnificent tower, there was considerable opposition. The critics maintained that it was a flagrant temptation of Fate to attempt the conquest of such an evil wave-swept rock, the head of which was barely visible above high-water, and was of such small dimensions that work would be possible for only a few hours daily and then by no more than a mere handful of men. The engineer was confident that he could surmount all difficulties in construction, and that he would be able to erect a tower which would defy wind and wave, so he gained the day and received the requisite sanction to proceed with his undertaking. He had surveyed the rock and its surroundings thoroughly; had discovered the velocity of the currents, and their varying directions under all conditions of weather. They tore along at about nine and a half miles an hour, and this speed was augmented considerably in rough weather. He selected the site for the lighthouse about nine miles from the Isle of Bréhat, where landing would have to be made at low-water, owing to the water rushing first from the island to the rock, and then in the opposite direction, according to the movements of the tides. The Isle of Bréhat was made the base for operations. It is freely indented, and one of the coves was found to form an excellent little harbour. A rough stone jetty was run out for a length of 170 feet, and while one fleet of boats was retained to convey material from the island to the rock, another was kept to bring supplies to the island for preparation, and the support of the men, whose quarters were established at this depot. Sixty men were employed on the work. They dressed the granite stones and prepared the woodwork as it arrived in the raw condition, ample workshops being provided for these purposes. [Illustration: _Photo by permission of the Lighthouse Literature Mission._ THE HEAUX DE BRÉHAT LIGHT. A striking tower built by Léonce Reynaud off the exposed Brittany coast. It is 159 feet high and took six years to complete.]