BEHIND YOU!
The Scary Story Behind the World’s Most Famous Lighthouse in the Storm Picture
Lucky timing gave photographer Jean Guichard an award-winning photo
In the picture, lighthouse keeper Théodore Malgorne appears to be taking a breath of fresh air. In reality, he was afraid for his life. Theodore had requested help the previous night after a fierce storm severely damaged the lighthouse.
Hearing a helicopter, he opened the door to greet what he thought was the rescue party. He later discovered the person in the helicopter was photographer Jean Guichard.
When Théodore stepped out, he had no idea a massive wave was about to engulf him. Realizing what was about to happen, he threw himself back inside and slammed the door.
Meanwhile, the photographer snapped the now-famous picture of the treacherous wave.
In 1990, Jean Guichard won second prize from the World Press for his photograph. You can see the lighthouse off the Brittany coast, and the keeper survived to tell his exciting tale.
Read about my bold and batty lighthouse-building plans:
