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L'Adour Sémaphore Lighthouse

Iso Green 4s🇫🇷Anglet, FROperational

Location & Light Range

About L'Adour Sémaphore Lighthouse

Also known as: Bayonne

This stone sémaphore, built in 1868 near Bayonne, France, stands at the mouth of the Adour River. It is a 14-meter cylindrical tower with a black vertical stripe on its seaward face. The structure features a hexagonal watch room and a two-story hexagonal base. An isophase green light operates on a 4-second cycle. The site is accessible to the public, though the tower remains closed.

Why it matters: This structure served as a critical communication and traffic management point for vessels entering and exiting the Adour River, directly serving the nearby port of Bayonne.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Iso Green 4s
Flash Type
Isophase
Light Color
Green
Interval
4s
Raw Code
Iso G 4s
Light Range
10NM (18.5 km)

Construction & History

Year Built
1868

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
14m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white with a black vertical stripe on the seaward side
Material
stone

Structure: round masonry tower, with cylindrical tower supporting a hexagonal watch room centered on a 2-story hexagonal base

Location

City
Anglet
Country
🇫🇷France
Region
Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Sea Region
mouth of the Adour River, near Bayonne, France
Latitude
43.5280°
Longitude
-1.5214°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Bayonne(0.2 km)
ARLHS No.
FRA-813
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify L'Adour Sémaphore Lighthouse at night?+
L'Adour Sémaphore displays the characteristic Iso Green 4s. 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 L'Adour Sémaphore Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
L'Adour Sémaphore Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is ANGLET at 0.7 NM to the ESE. Other ports served include Boucau (1.8 NM ESE), Bayonne (2.9 NM SE), Biarritz (3 NM SSW), Bidart (6 NM SSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is L'Adour Sémaphore Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, L'Adour Sémaphore 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 L'Adour Sémaphore Lighthouse?+
L'Adour Sémaphore 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 L'Adour Sémaphore Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near L'Adour Sémaphore 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.