You may have noticed this strange eye, made of glass and ceramics, which sometimes adorns a rock, sometimes a jetty by the sea.
The iris is made up of an electrical insulator, with an array of multicoloured marbles placed in bottle necks representing the contour of the eye. The cornea is represented by a patchwork of small shards of earthenware ceramics.
This eye has no esoteric meaning.
It is the work of Pierre Chanteau, a Breton artist from Carantec, who was granted permission from the municipality to strategically adorn the coastline.
Artist Pierre Chanteau in his studio
So, what is behind the meaning of that eye spying on you ? The artist only wishes that this furtive glance beaten by the waves reminds the walker of the multitude of sailors who have perished at sea and the courageous action of the many Breton lifeboats volunteers, amongst whom it is worth mentioning Mr
Aristide Lucas.
Aristide Lucas, 1888-1940
Pierre Chanteau created and anchored 113 similar compositions on the shore of Brittany. A monumental challenge and fine artistic skills, alas too little known.
14 of them are placed in the territory of Iroise Country.
But where are they ?
An original treasure hunt
We suggest you go looking for them. These artist's eyes are more often placed in ports from which sailors and rescuers set sail. But not only : they can sometimes be found on a disused slipway or simply on a wall or a rock on the coast.
They are now part of our heritage.
Look out for them and take a picture. Try to include a clue in your photo to the whereabouts of the eyes. Then invent ( in English ) a short riddle to guide people to their secret resting place. Then send us the picture and your riddle by email to the address below.
The gallery of pictures and riddles of Internet users
( Beware, the sea can sometimes completely cover the eye you are looking for.)
Photo 1
Port-la-Reine. © YL |
Photo 2
( We have not yet received a riddle in English) |
Photo 3
( We have not yet received a riddle in English) |
Photo 4
( We have not yet received a riddle in English) |
Photo 5
( We have not yet received a riddle in English) |
Photo 6
( We have not yet received a riddle in English) |
Photo 7
( We have not yet received a riddle in English) |
Photo 8
( We have not yet received a riddle in English) |
Photo 9
( We have not yet received a riddle in English) |
Photo 10
( We have not yet received a riddle in English) |
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Photo 11 
At low tide, St Pol-Aurélien would have landed here in the 6th century to evangelize Armorica © Arzhmaël |
Photo 12
( We have not yet received a riddle in English) |
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Photo 12 bis 
When street art covers up wartime memorabilia... the other side of the bunker is worth a visit © Stéphanie |
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Photo 13 
( We have not yet received a riddle in English) |
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Photo 14 
The tower is the bitter of the land that the sea surrounds© La Molelle de Touraine |
Here are in alphabetical order the 14 municipalities of the Iroise Country where a sea eye has been fixed (this is not the order of the pictures) :
Brélès
Molène-Island.
Lampaul-Ploudalmézeau
Lampaul-Plouarzel
Landunvez
Lanildut
Le Conquet
Locmaria-Plouzané
Plouarzel
Ploudalmézeau
Plougonvelin
Ploumoguer
Porspoder
Trebabu
1-
Allez, on va vous aider un peu : « Portez votre masque ou fichez le camp ! » Cette énigme qui peut paraître incongrue ici révèle d'une part, et en toutes lettres, le nom de la plage. Comme d'autre part deux plages du Pays d'Iroise portent le même nom, un autre indice permet de localiser celle qui a été choisie par l'artiste.
De même, « Entrez, on pensait justement à vous quand on était dans les dunes » vous donne, grâce à 3 syllabes qui se suivent, le nom et l'environnement du lieu.
READ MORE
About the artist Pierre Chanteau : Article de Bretagne Magazine
Visit his website :
L'âge de pierre
The artist has even published a small guide of the marine eyes that he has put on the whole Finistère coastline. It does not reveal their exact location. He just exposes the black and white photos. The reader is thus invited to a real treasure hunt whose aim is to help him discover the Breton coastline.
The book, sold partly to the benefit of the SNSM rescue association and SOS Méditerranée, was so successful that it was quickly sold out. But you might still have a chance to get it used.
Marine eyes outside the Pays d'Iroise
Some Internet users sent us photos of marine eyes that Pierre Chanteau has taken, still in Finistère, but outside the Pays d'Iroise.But it would be a shame if, having taken the trouble to take pictures of these eyes and to elaborate riddles, their authors could not see them posted on this page. We present them to you below.
Tell us if you recognize them.
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Photo 15 
The lookout watches over him, where the colorful fishermen's huts curl up on the edge of the harbor. © laCacaquimarche |
Photo 16 
At the foot of the abbey, in front of the sea you will be angels © Gwentof |
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Photo 17 
Don't get sand in your eyes to admire these dunes whose name recalls a soft candy. © Réjane Oeil marin trouvé par Anne-Sophie et Patty. |
Photo 18 
En face,tu n'auras pas le pied mouillé ! © Anne-Marie |
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Photo 19 
Je veille sur le moulin. © Orlane |
Photo 20 
Le ker bleuté des marins a secoué notre pupille © Maud, et superbe photo de Marc |
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Photo 21 
Cet œil aurait pu voir le dragon © Thierry |
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Photo 22 
© Martine |
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Photo 23 
© Gneugneu |
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Photo 24 
alain Oeil marin trouvé par Martine ainsi que par Sylvie qui lui ajoute pour légende : Ce n'est pas un œil de poule, mais il surveille son œuf. |
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Photo 25 
Foulons le front de mer de la pépite 5 étoiles du sud. © Elisabeth |
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Photo 26 
© Antonella |
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Photo 27 
A caring walk beside Emma. © Claudine |
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Photo 28 
Revenir sur le continent pour pleurer en épluchant les légumes. © Jean-Pierre |
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Photo 29 
Sur l’île on peut lire dans l’œil du Pirate. © Dominique |
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Photo 30 
Au pays des sardines, derrière St-Guénolé, l'œil vous attend à la maison bleue. © Renaud |
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Photo 31 
Face à Ste-Marine, fier comme un coq, l'œil brille tel un phare. © Renaud |
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Photo 31bis 
Je surveille le coq. © Myeong-Ju |
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Photo 32 
Là où le palet se délecte de galettes, vous trouverez l'œil admiratif de peinture. © Renaud |
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Photo 33 
A Rosnoen, l'œil vert vous |
Photo 33 bis
indique le passage. © Nelly |
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Photo 34 
La maison blanche aussi a les yeux verts. © Nelly |
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Photo 35 
Si on suit ce gros tuyau… point d’égout mais un œil fait avec goût ! © Marion |
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Photo 36 
Le coq en pince pour lui. © Sylvie |
Photo 37
Je l'ai vu sans pour autant voir ma fin. © Fabuleuse Fa |
Photo 38
Sourcil en broussaille, oreille au vent, il cherche son créateur dans l'écume. © Patty |
Sad news
Pierre Chanteau is no more. This unclassifiable artist, always smiling and full of original ideas, who dotted our coastline with his clever marine eyes, has left us a body of work whose elements are now irreplaceable. All the same, but all different, each one is unique and fragile, and as its creator intended, it's a memento for the victims of the sea, as well as for the countless rescuers on our coast. But now it's also a discreet nod to the artist who made it and came especially to place it here. Every visitor must have a little thought for him.
Adieu, Pierre, total respect.
