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Pointe de Grosse-Terre Lighthouse

Fl (4) White/Red 12s🇫🇷Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, FROperational

Location & Light Range

About Pointe de Grosse-Terre Lighthouse

A white, cylindrical concrete tower, 17 meters in height, was built in 1967. The structure includes a gallery but no lantern room. Its focal plane reaches 25 meters above sea level. The operational light emits four flashes, alternating white and red every 12 seconds, with a geographic range of 14.3 nautical miles. The site is open for visits, but the tower is not accessible. This marker is situated on a landspit west of Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez.

Why it matters: This navigational aid marks the entrance to the harbour at Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez. Its placement addresses increased coastal development that reduced the reach of older harbor lights, improving safety for ships entering the port.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (4) White/Red 12s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White/Red
Flash Count
4 flashes
Interval
12s
Raw Code
Fl(4) WR 12s
Focal Height
25m
Geographic Range
14.3NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1967

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
17m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

Structure: round white concrete tower with gallery but no lantern

Location

City
Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez
Country
🇫🇷France
Region
Pays de la Loire
Sea Region
Located on a point of land just off the D6 coastal highway on the west side of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, serving as a landfall light.
Latitude
46.6924°
Longitude
-1.9655°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Saint Hilaire de Riez(0.7 km)
Admiralty No.
D1189.6
NGA No.
1168
ARLHS No.
FRA-310
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Pointe de Grosse-Terre Lighthouse at night?+
Pointe de Grosse-Terre displays the characteristic Fl (4) White/Red 12s — 4 white/red flashes every 12 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/red color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Pointe de Grosse-Terre Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Pointe de Grosse-Terre Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Saint Hilaire de Riez at 0.7 NM to the E. Other ports served include Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie (1.4 NM ESE), L'Île-d'Olonne (10.6 NM SE), Les Sables-d'Olonne (13.6 NM SSE), LA BARRE DE MONTS (14 NM NNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Pointe de Grosse-Terre Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Pointe de Grosse-Terre 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 Pointe de Grosse-Terre Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Pointe de Grosse-Terre 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.