Watchtowers at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, whose lights points to the entrance of the harbour and guide sailors home. Unusual monuments to visit, the lighthouses’ attract us by their imposing outlines, their primary functions and, after climbing the steps, their breath-taking views. The Phare de Baleines on île de Ré, Chassiron on île d’Oléron, La courbe forest on the wild coast, Cordouan, at the centre of the Gironde estuary, is the oldest lighthouse in France and the last one in France to have a Lighthouse Keeper. These sea fortresses, for centauries resisting the worst storms, follow the coastline of La Rochelle to the Gironde estuary, and keep the sailors safe. Luckily for us they all can be visited; it can be a bit challenging to get there but they are all worth it !
Royan
Located at the mouth of the Gironde estuary, 7km from the coast, the Cordouan lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse in ...
Saint-Clément-des-Baleines
An unmissable visit during your stay on the Ile de Ré! Built in 1849 and inaugurated in 1854, to replace the old ...
Saint-Denis-d'Oléron
Once you have climbed its 224 steps, you will be able to admire at 46m above the ground a magnificent panorama on ...
La Tremblade
Built in 1904 and commissioned in 1905, the Coubre lighthouse, 64m high and 300 steps, is a strategic beacon for all ...
Île-d'Aix
Located on the Ile d'Aix, this very original lighthouse, consisting of two 25.3m towers, is still in operation. Red ...
La Rochelle
The curiosity of this lighthouse located on the quay facing the La Rochelle yacht basin, is its integration into the ...
La Rochelle
The Richelieu tower, red and black, is located at the entrance to the access channel to the port of Minimes and the ...
La Rochelle
Exact replica of the lighthouse at the end of the world of Patagonia in Tierra del Fuego, this octagonal wooden ...