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Granville Lighthouse

Fl (4) White 15s🇫🇷Granville, FROperational

Location & Light Range

About Granville Lighthouse

Also known as: Granville (Pointe du Roc, Cap Lihou)

The Granville Lighthouse, built in 1827, is a 16-meter cylindrical stone tower painted red, standing on the Roc du Granville. It marks the entrance to Granville harbor and is situated 0.5 kilometers from the nearest port. The lighthouse emits a white flash every 15 seconds, visible for 18.5 nautical miles. During World War II, the tower was painted with camouflage patterns and survived the conflict without damage. A modern signal station operates nearby.

Why it matters: The lighthouse is important for maritime traffic, precisely marking the entrance to Granville harbor and ensuring safe passage for vessels navigating these coastal waters.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (4) White 15s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
4 flashes
Interval
15s
Raw Code
Fl W 15s
Focal Height
49m
Light Range
23NM (42.6 km)
Geographic Range
18.5NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1827

Significant events: Painted with camouflage patterns during WWII, survived WWII without damage

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Granville(0.5 km)
Admiralty No.
A1660
NGA No.
8036
ARLHS No.
FRA-126
Wikidata
Q3378231 →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
16m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
red
Material
stone

Structure: round stone block tower with lantern and gallery

Location

City
Granville
Country
🇫🇷France
Region
Normandy
Sea Region
Roc du Granville, marking the entrance to Granville harbor
Latitude
48.8345°
Longitude
-1.6130°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How far offshore can Granville Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 49 meters and a nominal range of 23 nautical miles (approximately 42.6 km), Granville is visible from well offshore under standard atmospheric conditions. Actual visibility depends on observer height, weather, and sea state. Lights of this range are typically used as landfall lights by vessels approaching from the open sea.
How do mariners identify Granville Lighthouse at night?+
Granville displays the characteristic Fl (4) White 15s — 4 white 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 color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Granville Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Granville Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Granville at 0.3 NM to the ESE. Other ports served include Saint-Pair-sur-Mer (2.1 NM ESE), Bricqueville-sur-Mer (6.2 NM NE), Chausey (8.7 NM WNW), Hauteville-sur-Mer (9.5 NM NNE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Granville Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Granville 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 Granville Lighthouse?+
Granville 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 Granville Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Granville 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.