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L'Armandèche Lighthouse

Fl White 15s🇫🇷Les Sables-d'Olonne, FROperational

Location & Light Range

About L'Armandèche Lighthouse

The L'Armandèche lighthouse was constructed in 1968 from concrete, resulting in a hexagonal tower that stands 39 meters tall. This structure, featuring a lantern and gallery, exhibits an Art Deco style. Located on the west side of Les Sables-d'Olonne, it stands just behind the beach, off the Route Bleue. Its light emits two white flashes followed by one white flash, repeated every 15 seconds, visible for 17.4 nautical miles. The tower is painted red, and while the site is open to visitors, the tower itself remains closed to the public.

Why it matters: This lighthouse serves as a landfall light for the harbor entrance at Les Sables-d'Olonne, compensating for shoreline development that had obscured older markers. Its unique Art Deco hexagonal design makes it a distinctive architectural feature along the coast.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 15s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
15s
Raw Code
Fl(2+1) W 15s
Focal Height
42m
Geographic Range
17.4NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1968

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
39m
Tower Shape
hexagonal
Tower Color
red
Material
concrete

Structure: Art Deco hexagonal concrete tower with lantern and gallery

Location

City
Les Sables-d'Olonne
Country
🇫🇷France
Region
Pays de la Loire
Sea Region
West side of Les Sables-d'Olonne, just behind the beach, off the Route Bleue, serving as a landfall light for the harbor entrance.
Latitude
46.4903°
Longitude
-1.8048°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Les Sables-d'Olonne(0.5 km)
ARLHS No.
FRA-173
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify L'Armandèche Lighthouse at night?+
L'Armandèche displays the characteristic Fl White 15s. 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 L'Armandèche Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
L'Armandèche Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Les Sables-d'Olonne at 0.8 NM to the NE. Other ports served include L'Île-d'Olonne (4.7 NM N), Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie (12.7 NM NNW), Saint Hilaire de Riez (13.5 NM NNW), CHENAL DE LA FABRIQU (20.6 NM SE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is L'Armandèche Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, L'Armandèche 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 L'Armandèche Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near L'Armandèche 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.