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Portcé Feu Antérieur Lighthouse

Q White🇫🇷FROperational

Location & Light Range

About Portcé Feu Antérieur Lighthouse

The Portcé Feu Antérieur is a 7-meter concrete post structure painted white, featuring a square lantern room and gallery. First lit in 1981, it is situated approximately 400 meters offshore from Portcé, on the southwest side of Saint-Nazaire. The post displays a quick-flashing white light with a geographic range of 8.9 nautical miles. While the site is open to visitors, the tower itself is closed to the public. The original navigational station at this location was established in 1897, with the current structure dating from 1981.

Why it matters: Serving as the front light for a range system, the Portcé Feu Antérieur's quick-flashing white light precisely marks the safe bearing for vessels entering the port of Saint-Nazaire.

Light & Optic

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

Construction & History

Year Built
1981

Significant events: Station established 1897, current structure built 1981

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
7.01m
Tower Shape
quadrilateral
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

Structure: A 7m post with a square lantern room and gallery, painted white.

Location

Country
🇫🇷France
Sea Region
Located about 400 m offshore at Portcé, on the southwest side of Saint-Nazaire
Latitude
47.2430°
Longitude
-2.2574°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Saint-Nazaire(3.3 km)
Admiralty No.
D1106
NGA No.
948
ARLHS No.
FRA-739
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Portcé Feu Antérieur Lighthouse at night?+
Portcé Feu Antérieur 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 Portcé Feu Antérieur Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Portcé Feu Antérieur Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Saint-Nazaire at 3.1 NM to the NE. Other ports served include Trignac (5.4 NM NE), Montoir-de-Bretagne (5.8 NM NE), Préfailles (6.4 NM S), La Baule-Escoublac (6.9 NM WNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Portcé Feu Antérieur Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Portcé Feu Antérieur 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 Portcé Feu Antérieur Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Portcé Feu Antérieur 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.