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France Lighthouses Lighthouse

Fl White/Red/Green 5s🇫🇷FROperational

Location & Light Range

About France Lighthouses Lighthouse

This octagonal concrete tower, standing 16 meters tall, was built in 1953 as a replacement for an earlier lighthouse destroyed in 1944. Its lantern and gallery sit atop the Art Deco structure, which has a focal height of 29 meters. The lighthouse emits a white, red, and green light, flashing white, red, or green every 5 seconds. It is located on a point of land west of La-Tranche-sur-Mer, guarding the entrance to the Pertuis Breton. The site is open to the public, though the tower itself is closed.

Why it matters: One of four Art Deco towers in the Vendée region designed by Maurice Durand, this lighthouse is architecturally significant. It is also important for guiding vessels into the Pertuis Breton, a sound sheltered by the Île de Ré.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White/Red/Green 5s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White/Red/Green
Interval
5s
Raw Code
Fl WGR 5s
Focal Height
29m
Geographic Range
15.1NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1953

Significant events: Previous lighthouse destroyed by German troops in July 1944, current lighthouse built as a replacement

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
16m
Tower Shape
octagonal
Tower Color
black
Material
concrete

Structure: octagonal concrete Art Deco tower with lantern and gallery

Location

Country
🇫🇷France
Sea Region
Guards the entrance to the Pertuis Breton, a sound sheltered by the Île de Ré, located on a prominent point of land on the west side of La-Tranche-sur-Mer.
Latitude
46.6730°
Longitude
-2.0643°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Saint Hilaire de Riez(4.9 km)
Admiralty No.
D1214
NGA No.
1240
ARLHS No.
FRA-311
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify France Lighthouses Lighthouse at night?+
France Lighthouses displays the characteristic Fl White/Red/Green 5s. 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/green color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does France Lighthouses Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
France Lighthouses Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Saint Hilaire de Riez at 4.9 NM to the ENE. Other ports served include Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie (5.4 NM E), LA MEULE (11.6 NM W), L'Île-d'Yeu (12.1 NM WNW), Port-Joinville (12.1 NM WNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is France Lighthouses Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, France Lighthouses 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.
How can I track vessels near France Lighthouses Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near France Lighthouses 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.