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Fort Saint-Jean (Tour du Fanal) Lighthouse

Q (3) Green 4s🇫🇷Marseille, FROperational

Location & Light Range

About Fort Saint-Jean (Tour du Fanal) Lighthouse

A cylindrical stone tower, built in 1644 as part of Fort Saint-Jean, stands 25 meters tall on Marseille's coast. Its green structure, 7 meters above sea level, emits a green light. This light displays three quick flashes every 4 seconds, visible for 9.3 nautical miles. The lighthouse is situated 0.6 kilometers from the nearest port in Marseille.

Why it matters: This lighthouse guides vessels into Marseille's Old Port, a significant entry point in the Mediterranean. Its presence within the historic Fort Saint-Jean also marks it as an important cultural landmark.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Q (3) Green 4s
Flash Type
Quick
Light Color
Green
Flash Count
3 flashes
Interval
4s
Raw Code
Q(3) R 4s
Focal Height
7m
Light Range
5NM (9.3 km)
Geographic Range
9.3NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1644

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Marseille(0.6 km)
Admiralty No.
E0662
NGA No.
6636
ARLHS No.
FRA-554

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
25m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
green
Material
stone

Structure: round masonry tower, unpainted

Location

City
Marseille
Country
🇫🇷France
Region
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Latitude
43.2949°
Longitude
5.3622°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How far offshore can Fort Saint-Jean (Tour du Fanal) Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 7 meters and a nominal range of 5 nautical miles (approximately 9.3 km), Fort Saint-Jean (Tour du Fanal) is visible from well offshore under standard atmospheric conditions. Actual visibility depends on observer height, weather, and sea state. As a shorter-range light, it primarily serves nearshore and coastal traffic.
How do mariners identify Fort Saint-Jean (Tour du Fanal) Lighthouse at night?+
Fort Saint-Jean (Tour du Fanal) displays the characteristic Q (3) Green 4s — 3 green flashes every 4 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 green color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Fort Saint-Jean (Tour du Fanal) Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Fort Saint-Jean (Tour du Fanal) Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Marseille at 0.9 NM to the N. Other ports served include NIOLON (5.3 NM WNW), VALLAT DES BRAYES (9 NM ESE), Sausset-les-Pins (11 NM WNW), AVENUE HENRI FABRE (11.3 NM NW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Fort Saint-Jean (Tour du Fanal) Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Fort Saint-Jean (Tour du Fanal) 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 Saint-Jean (Tour du Fanal) Lighthouse?+
Fort Saint-Jean (Tour du Fanal) Lighthouse is located within the Mediterranean East-West corridor — a major trade route spanning the Mediterranean from Gibraltar to the Suez Canal. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Fort Saint-Jean (Tour du Fanal) Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Fort Saint-Jean (Tour du Fanal) 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.