Lighthouse of Frehel in Brittany

Lighthouses of France

NOTE: Click on any lighthouse icon on the map below (you’ll have to zoom to see them or click on the green circles with a number on it) to see a photo of the lighthouse in question and a link to further information.

Here are some of the (many) lighthouses that can be found along the French coastline. They are only those that had no mention on one of the “normal” pages on this site dealing with cities in France. The map above shows you ALL lighthouse mentions, both from “normal” articles or the ones you can find below.

Brittany

Frehel lighthouse – Phare du Cap Frehel

Lighthouse Phare du Cap Frehel in Brittany
Lighthouse Phare du Cap Frehel in Brittany

This lighthouse, built in 1946 and 32.85 meters high, succeeded two older ones, the first built in 1701 measured 15 meters and was used not only for the difficult navigation between Saint-Malo and Saint-Brieuc, but also as warning signal for possible attacks by the English.

The second lighthouse was built in 1845 and measured 22 meters high. It was destroyed by the Germans at the end of WWII.

The lighthouse can be visited.

Ploubazlanec lighthouse – Phare de la Croix

Lighthouse in the bay of Ploubazlanec in Brittany
Lighthouse in the bay of Ploubazlanec in Brittany

The lighthouse in the bay of Ploubazlanec in Brittany is called Phare de la Croix. It was built in 1865 but it was destroyed towards the end of WWII by the Germans and rebuilt in 1949.

The lighthouse is 13 meters high. The lighthouse can be visited, but you’ll need to use a kayak to get there. Click here for more information.

Normandy

Auderville lighthouse – phare de La Hague

Auderville lighthouse - phare de La Hague
Auderville lighthouse – phare de La Hague

The La Hague lighthouse, also known as “phare de Goury” was built in 1834 after many shipwrecks in one of the strongest tidal currents in Europe called the ” raz Blanchard” (or in English, the “Alderney Race”).

The 52 meters high lighthouse can be seen 19 nautical miles (or 35 kilometers). It is one of the few lighthouses that was not destroyed towards the end of WWII by the Germans.

Criquetot-l’Esneval lighthouse – Phare d’Antifer

The lighthouse of Criquetot-L'Esneval in Normandy
The lighthouse of Criquetot-L’Esneval in Normandy

The lighthouse d’Antifer which lies close to Etretat is used as indicator for the big harbour of Le Havre. The lighthouse is very recent, since it was only built in 1949 after the “older” one, built in 1894, was destroyed by the Germans towards the end of WWII. It measures almost 38 meters high.

Sainte-Adresse lighthouse – Phare de la Hève

Lighthouse of Sainte-Adresse Phare de la Heve
Lighthouse of Sainte-Adresse Phare de la Heve

This lighthouse was built in 1951 and measures 32 meters high, but is 102 meters above sea level. It can be seen at a distance of 23.7 nautical miles (42.5 kilometers).

It’s not the first lighthouse here; the first one was built in the 14th century. After the cliffs fell down, the lighthouse was replaced further inland in 1775. It was then destroyed by the Germans at the end of WWII.

Saint-Valery-en-Caux lighthouse

The Saint-Valery-en-Caux lighthouse in Normandy
The Saint-Valery-en-Caux lighthouse in Normandy

The lighthouse at the end of the pier in Saint-Valery-en-Caux was built in 1822, but like most lighthouses in France, was destroyed towards the end of WWII by the Germans. It was rebuilt and now measures 12 meters high and can be seen at a distance of 15 nautical miles.

Sainte-Marguerite-sur-Mer lighthouse – Phare d’Ailly

Sainte-Marguerite-sur-Mer lighthouse Phare d'Ailly in Normandy
Sainte-Marguerite-sur-Mer lighthouse Phare d’Ailly in Normandy

The lighthouse in Sainte-Marguerite-sur-Mer, named Phare d’Ailly, was initially built in 1773. It measured 18 meters high at the time. Due to rapid erosion of the cliffs, it was decided to build a second lighthouse in 1896.

The second lighthouse, constructed close to the first one, measures 29 meters high. The old lighthouse was not demolished, but it was no longer used.

In 1944 the “new” lighthouse was destroyed after Allied bombardements during WWII. The old lighthouse was reinstated temporarily.

A new lighthouse was built in 1951, and when it went into service in 1953, the old one from 1773 finally fell of the cliffs. The new lighthouse measures 16.5 meters high.

The lighthouse can be visited during the “Journées du Patrimoine” (Heritage Days).

Nouvelle-Aquittaine

Cap Ferret lighthouse

Cap Ferret lighthouse
Cap Ferret lighthouse

The lighthouse at Cap Ferret (across the bay at Arcachon) was initially built in 1840 and measured 47.7 meters high. However, like most lighthouses, it was destroyed by the Germans towards end of WWII.

The new lighthouse, using the building plans of the old ones, was put into service in the year 1947 and measures 52 meters in height.

The lighthouse can be visited (yes, it has an elevator). Click here for more information and opening times and prices (in French only)

Saint-Martin-de-Re lighthouse

The lighthouse of the harbour of Saint-Martin-de-Re
The lighthouse of the harbour of Saint-Martin-de-Re

The lighthouse of Saint-Martin-de-Re on the island of Ile-de-Re, shows the way to the harbour of the town. It is 13 meters high, but despite it’s great location, can NOT be visited.

Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur

Nice lighthouse

The lighthouse of the harbour of Nice
The lighthouse of the harbour of Nice

The main lighthouse of Nice, at the harbour entrance, replaced several lighthouses installed over the years. The first one, a temporary one, was built in 1862. In 1880 the harbour wall was lengthened, and therefore the lighthouse was rebuilt.

In 1928 the lighthouse was destroyed, and a new one was built further on. In 1945 a bombardement by the Germans during WWII destroyed the lighthouse and a temporary one, made out of wood, was installed.

In 1952 the new and current lighthouse was built. It is high of 21 meters. However, there are currently plans to enlarge the harbour, which will result in yet a new lighthouse.

Related Posts

  • 10000
    Les Sables-d’Olonne - Saint-Clair CastleThe Saint-Clair Castle at Les Sables-d'Olonne is small but does its job; protecting the harbour entrance. Now it's a museum.
  • 10000
    Nantes - The CastleThe Duke of Brittany's castle is located in Nantes and can be visited, partially for free, partially wby paying a fee.
  • 10000
    Sarzeau - Suscinio CastleIf ever there was a castle/fortress that merits a detour to go and visit, it's this one, belonging to the Duke of Brittany. Stunning.
  • 10000
    Pornic - CastleBuilt: 12th centuryStatus: PrivateVisitable?: Yes (sometimes)Notable: -Web: - The castle at the seatown of Pornic in Pays de Loire is the most visible item in the scenic landscape. It dominates the town. The castle is located partially on the sea promenade, partially on the public beach. So although the castle…
  • 10000
    Montbard CastleBuilt: 10th centuryStatus: PublicVisitable?: Yes  (grounds for free, the castle including a tour guide for a fee)Notable: -Web: - Montbard is a small city of some 5500 inhabitants, a river and a big canal flowing through it and an incredible abbey close-by. It also has a castle perched high on the hill…
Scroll to Top