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Calais Gare Maritime Lighthouse

Red 30s🇫🇷Gravelines, FROperational

Location & Light Range

About Calais Gare Maritime Lighthouse

This 35-meter square stone tower, constructed in two stages with galleries and supported by four arched pillars, was painted red. It marked the P&O Ferries terminal at Quai de la Marée in Calais, France, serving vessels arriving from Dover, England. The lighthouse ceased operations in 2011, and its original red leading light was decommissioned at that time. A simpler white light on a nearby post has since replaced its function. While the site remains open, allowing visitors to view the port's activities, the tower itself is closed to the public.

Why it matters: This lighthouse was essential for vessels entering the busy Calais port from Dover, clearly marking the terminal's seaward corner and serving as a critical visual aid for mariners approaching the French coast.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Red 30s
Light Color
Red
Interval
30s
Raw Code
L.Fl.(4)W

Construction & History

Significant events: Inactive since 2011, original red leading light dropped in 2011

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
35m
Tower Shape
square
Tower Color
red
Material
stone

Structure: 2-stage square medieval stone tower with two galleries; the lower stage is supported by four massive arched pillars

Location

City
Gravelines
Country
🇫🇷France
Region
Hauts-de-France
Sea Region
Located on the Quai de la Marée in Calais, France, marking the terminal for P&O Ferries arriving from Dover, England.
Latitude
51.0038°
Longitude
2.1091°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Gravelines(0.5 km)
Admiralty No.
A1158..
NGA No.
8913
ARLHS No.
FRA-514
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which ports and harbors does Calais Gare Maritime Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Calais Gare Maritime Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Grand-Fort-Philippe at 0.4 NM to the WSW. Other ports served include Gravelines (1.2 NM SSE), DUNKIRK (2.7 NM ENE), Grande-Synthe (6.6 NM E), Fort-Batard (7.5 NM SSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Calais Gare Maritime Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Calais Gare Maritime Lighthouse is currently operational. It is actively maintained and continues to emit its characteristic light signal for marine navigation. Most modern lighthouses are automated and monitored remotely by the national maritime authority.
What shipping routes pass near Calais Gare Maritime Lighthouse?+
Calais Gare Maritime Lighthouse is located within the English Channel / North Sea corridor — one of the world's busiest maritime corridors connecting the Atlantic to Northern European ports. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Calais Gare Maritime Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Calais Gare Maritime Lighthouse in real time using MarineRadar. The platform shows live AIS positions of ships in the area, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page to open the live map centered on this lighthouse.