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Fort de l'Ouest Lighthouse

Fl (3) White/Red 15s🇫🇷Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, FROperational

Location & Light Range

About Fort de l'Ouest Lighthouse

This cylindrical granite lighthouse stands 9 meters tall and was built in 1840. Its focal height is 19 meters, and it emits three white and red flashes every 15 seconds, with a geographic range of 12.9 nautical miles. The structure is a round granite tower with a lantern and gallery, painted white with a red lantern. It is situated about 2.5 kilometers northwest of Cherbourg's waterfront, marking the western end of the Digue Centrale breakwater. The lighthouse is located approximately 1.3 kilometers from the nearest port, Querqueville.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is important for delineating the western end of the Digue Centrale breakwater, assisting safe navigation into and out of Cherbourg. Its light, which can be white or red, helps commercial vessels and ferries traverse these waters.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (3) White/Red 15s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White/Red
Flash Count
3 flashes
Interval
15s
Raw Code
Fl(3) WR 15s
Focal Height
19m
Geographic Range
12.9NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1840

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Querqueville(1.3 km)
Admiralty No.
A1480
NGA No.
8332
ARLHS No.
FRA-046

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
9m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white
Material
granite

Structure: round granite tower with lantern and gallery

Location

City
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin
Country
🇫🇷France
Region
Normandy
Sea Region
Located about 2.5 km northwest of the Cherbourg waterfront at the western end of the Digue Centrale, a detached breakwater.
Latitude
49.6743°
Longitude
-1.6477°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Fort de l'Ouest Lighthouse at night?+
Fort de l'Ouest displays the characteristic Fl (3) White/Red 15s — 3 white/red flashes every 15 seconds. Each lighthouse has a unique flash pattern published in the List of Lights, allowing mariners to positively identify it and distinguish it from other navigation aids in the area. The white/red color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Fort de l'Ouest Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Fort de l'Ouest Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Querqueville at 1.3 NM to the WSW. Other ports served include Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (1.9 NM SSE), Tourlaville (4 NM SE), La Hague (6.7 NM WSW), OMONVILLE LA ROGUE (7.5 NM WNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Fort de l'Ouest Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Fort de l'Ouest 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 Fort de l'Ouest Lighthouse?+
Fort de l'Ouest 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 Fort de l'Ouest Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Fort de l'Ouest 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.