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Le Chay Lighthouse

Q Red🇫🇷Royan, FROperational

Location & Light Range

About Le Chay Lighthouse

Also known as: Le Chay (feu antérieur)

Constructed in 1960, the Le Chay lighthouse is a 15-meter cylindrical tower painted white with a red lantern and gallery. Its focal plane reaches 33 meters, casting a quick-flashing red light with a geographic range of 15.9 nautical miles. The lighthouse is situated in Royan and guides vessels into the Gironde estuary via the Passe du Sud channel. The current structure replaced a lighthouse destroyed during World War II. While the site is open to visitors, the tower itself is closed to the public.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is essential for guiding fishing boats and smaller craft through the Passe du Sud channel into the Gironde estuary. Its history of reconstruction following channel changes and wartime destruction highlights its long-standing importance for maritime safety in the area.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Q Red
Flash Type
Quick
Light Color
Red
Raw Code
Q R
Focal Height
33m
Geographic Range
15.9NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1960

Significant events: Unlit tower built 1772, 1873 lighthouse abandoned 1897 due to channel change, damaged by German troops and destroyed by British air raid during WWII

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
15m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white with a red lantern and gallery

Structure: round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery; the light is displayed through a square window of the lantern room

Location

City
Royan
Country
🇫🇷France
Region
Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Sea Region
Located in Royan on the Rue du Phare du Chay, it guides ships into the Gironde estuary through the Passe du Sud channel, primarily serving fishing boats and smaller vessels.
Latitude
45.6215°
Longitude
-1.0406°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Royan(0.7 km)
Admiralty No.
D1312
NGA No.
1508
ARLHS No.
FRA-582
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Le Chay Lighthouse at night?+
Le Chay displays the characteristic Q Red. 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 red color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Le Chay Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Le Chay Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Royan at 0.5 NM to the E. Other ports served include Le Verdon-sur-Mer (4 NM SSW), L'Éguille (5.3 NM NNE), Mornac-sur-Seudre (5.7 NM N), Chaillevette (6.7 NM N). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Le Chay Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Le Chay 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 Le Chay Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Le Chay 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.