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Pointe du Barrou Lighthouse

Q White🇫🇷Sète, FROperational

Location & Light Range

About Pointe du Barrou Lighthouse

A cylindrical stone tower, 6 meters tall, stands at Pointe du Barrou, marking a shoal in the Étang de Thau. Its lower half is painted yellow and its upper half is black. This light offers a geographic range of 8.9 nautical miles and displays a quick white flash. The site is open to the public, but the tower itself is closed. Located 2.8 kilometers from Sète, the lighthouse guides vessels approaching the port from the lagoon.

Why it matters: This light is essential for vessels navigating the approach from the Étang de Thau lagoon into the port of Sète, warning them away from the shoal it marks.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Q White
Flash Type
Quick
Light Color
White
Raw Code
Q W
Focal Height
6m
Geographic Range
8.9NM

Location

City
Sète
Country
🇫🇷France
Region
Occitania
Sea Region
A shoal in the Étang de Thau, marking the approach from the lagoon to Sète.
Latitude
43.4247°
Longitude
3.6755°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Sete(2.8 km)
Admiralty No.
E0561.5
NGA No.
6241
ARLHS No.
FRA-707

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
6m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white with green trim
Material
stone

Structure: round stone tower; lower half painted yellow, upper half black

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Pointe du Barrou Lighthouse at night?+
Pointe du Barrou displays the characteristic Q White. 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 Pointe du Barrou Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Pointe du Barrou Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Balaruc-les-Bains at 1.6 NM to the NNE. Other ports served include Bouzigues (1.9 NM NW), Sète (1.9 NM SE), MEZE (3 NM W), La peyrade (3 NM E). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Pointe du Barrou Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Pointe du Barrou 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 du Barrou Lighthouse?+
Pointe du Barrou 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 Pointe du Barrou Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Pointe du Barrou 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.