Lighthouses: the finest sites in France
15 sites listed in this category. Stone sentinels standing on capes and islands, these lighthouses guided generations of sailors and today offer exceptional views over the coast, between maritime history and breathtaking scenery.
Phare Saint-Mathieu
Surrounded by the ruins of a sixteenth-century abbey, this lighthouse dates from 1835. It has 167 steps and a height of 37 metres, its range is 29 miles.
Phare d'Eckmühl
Inaugurated in 1897, it is due to the generosity of the family of the "Prince d'Eckmühl".
Phare de "l'île Vierge"
Overlooking the Aber Wrac'h, it is the tallest in Europe, measuring 82.50 metres. A granite tower, lined with opaline inside, it has 392 steps and a range of 27 miles.
Phare de Calais
The Calais lighthouse is 51 metres high. For those not frightened by the climb of the 271 steps of the staircase, a magnificent panorama will reward their efforts.
Phare de Chassiron
More than 150 years old, the Chassiron lighthouse is meant to assist sailors navigating the Pertuis d'Antioche, one of the most dangerous places in the Charente-Maritime.
Phare de Cordouan
A monumental lighthouse at the mouth of the Gironde, nicknamed the "king of lighthouses", inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage.
Phare de Gatteville
Built between 1829 and 1834, the Gatteville lighthouse is the second tallest lighthouse in France at 75 m high.
Phare de Roscoff
The Roscoff lighthouse is a land lighthouse built from 1915 to 1917. Its pyramidal square tower is 24.40 metres high above ground and 26.10 metres above sea level.
Phare de Trézien
Built in 1894, 1.5 km from the Pointe du Corsen, the Trézien lighthouse is a directional lighthouse. 37 metres high, the lighthouse is aligned with the Kermorvan light, allowing safe use of the Four channel.
Phare de l'Ile de Batz
A cylindrical tower with a base, built in 1836 – 44 metres above ground and 68 metres above sea level – 210 steps – range of 23 miles – 5 white flashes in 25 seconds – automated since 1995 – very fine view of the Île de Batz and the coast.
Phare de la Jument
The Jument lighthouse is at Ouessant, in the Iroise sea. It was erected between 1904 and 1911 thanks to the bequest of a member of the Paris Geographical Society, Charles-Eugène Potron, on the Ar Gazec reef ("the mare" in Breton).
Phare de la Pointe D'Agon
Built of rubble and local dressed stone, covered with zinc to resist the wind, it has provided navigation marking for sailors since 1856.
Phare des Baleines
The Baleines lighthouse is at the western tip of the Île de Ré (Charente-Maritime), in the commune of Saint-Clément-des-Baleines.
Phare du Créac'h
One of the most powerful lighthouses in the world – built in 1859 so as to recognise without any possible confusion the two points by which the island can be rounded.
Phare du Stiff
One of the oldest lighthouses in France, built from 2 truncated-cone towers dating from 1695 – automated lighthouse – its 1000 W quartz halogen lamp carries 50 km – 126 steps – focal plane 85 metres above sea level.