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Pointe de la Roque Lighthouse

🇫🇷Saint-Samson-de-la-Roque, FROperational

Location & Light Range

About Pointe de la Roque Lighthouse

Also known as: Pointe de la Roque (Saint-Samson de la Roque)

This cylindrical masonry tower, standing 10 meters tall, was built in 1850 and first lit in the same year. It rises from one end of a 2-story keeper's house, featuring a lantern and gallery. The lighthouse, painted black, is situated atop a steep bluff overlooking the south side of a river. It is located near Saint-Samson-de-la-Roque, approximately 5 km west of the Tancarville bridge and across from the Tourelle Ygou. The station ceased operations in 1910 because it was too far from the river to effectively guide vessels.

Why it matters: Designed by architect Léonce Reynaud, its deactivation highlights how navigational needs can change, rendering aids obsolete due to geographical shifts or evolving shipping routes. Discussions in 2021 about transferring ownership to Saint-Samson-de-la-Roque indicate its continued cultural and historical value to the community.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
10m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
black
Material
masonry

Structure: square cylindrical masonry tower with lantern and gallery, rising from one end of a 2-story keeper's house

Location

City
Saint-Samson-de-la-Roque
Country
🇫🇷France
Region
Normandy
Sea Region
atop a steep bluff overlooking the south side of a river near Saint-Samson-de-la-Roque, about 5 km west of the Tancarville bridge and across the river from the Tourelle Ygou
Latitude
49.4438°
Longitude
0.4255°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Radicatel(3.6 km)

Construction & History

Year Built
1850

Significant events: Inactive since 1910, deactivated due to distance from river, 2021 proposal for ownership transfer to Saint-Samson-de-la-Roque

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which ports and harbors does Pointe de la Roque Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Pointe de la Roque Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Berville-sur-Mer at 2.3 NM to the WSW. Other ports served include La Cerlangue (3.4 NM N), Radicatel (3.4 NM NE), Gravenchon (3.8 NM ENE), Port-Jérôme (4.6 NM ENE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Pointe de la Roque Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Pointe de la Roque 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 Pointe de la Roque Lighthouse?+
Pointe de la Roque 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 Pointe de la Roque Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Pointe de la Roque 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.