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Lighthouses · Charente-Maritime
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.
View full page →The most beautiful lighthouses in France
Stone sentinels planted on capes, islands and reefs, lighthouses tell the story of navigation, storms and the work of the keepers. Many can be visited and offer, at the top of their stairs, a complete panorama of the coast.
From the tip of Finistère, the most exposed, to the Atlantic islands and the cliffs of the Channel, this selection brings together lighthouses with very different silhouettes: white towers, striped shafts, massive granite buildings.
Remember to check access and opening conditions before you come: some lighthouses can only be climbed depending on the season or the weather.
14selected sites
4regions
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Lighthouses · Charente-Maritime
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.
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Lighthouses · Finistère
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.
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Lighthouses · Finistère
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).
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Lighthouses · Finistère
Phare d'Eckmühl
Inaugurated in 1897, it is due to the generosity of the family of the "Prince d'Eckmühl".
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Lighthouses · Finistère
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.
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Lighthouses · Finistère
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.
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Lighthouses · Manche
Phare de Gatteville
Built between 1829 and 1834, the Gatteville lighthouse is the second tallest lighthouse in France at 75 m high.
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Lighthouses · Pas-de-Calais
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.
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Lighthouses · Finistère
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.
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Lighthouses · Finistère
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.
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Lighthouses · Finistère
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.
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Lighthouses · Finistère
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.
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Lighthouses · Manche
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.
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