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Saint-Gilles Lighthouse

Fl Red 4s🇫🇷Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, FROperational

Location & Light Range

About Saint-Gilles Lighthouse

Also known as: Saint-Gilles (Tour Joséphine)

Built in 1852, the Saint-Gilles Lighthouse is a round cylindrical stone tower with a lantern and gallery. Standing 9 meters tall, its gray stone construction faces the sea. The light emitted is red, with a characteristic of one red flash every 4 seconds. Located 0.3 kilometers from the nearest port of Saint Hilaire de Riez, this lighthouse once served as a navigational aid along the French coast. Its structure represents a common architectural style for lighthouses from the mid-19th century.

Why it matters: The lighthouse's 1852 construction date marks it as an early aid reflecting mid-19th century maritime traffic growth.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl Red 4s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Red
Interval
4s
Raw Code
Fl R 4s
Light Range
6NM (11.1 km)

Construction & History

Year Built
1852

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Saint Hilaire de Riez(0.3 km)
ARLHS No.
FRA-636

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
9m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
gray stone
Material
stone

Structure: round cylindrical stone tower with lantern and gallery

Location

City
Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie
Country
🇫🇷France
Region
Pays de la Loire
Latitude
46.6968°
Longitude
-1.9482°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Saint-Gilles Lighthouse at night?+
Saint-Gilles displays the characteristic Fl Red 4s. 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 Saint-Gilles Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Saint-Gilles Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Saint Hilaire de Riez at 0.3 NM to the S. Other ports served include Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie (1 NM SE), L'Île-d'Olonne (10.4 NM SE), Les Sables-d'Olonne (13.5 NM SSE), LA BARRE DE MONTS (14.2 NM NNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Saint-Gilles Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Saint-Gilles 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 Saint-Gilles Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Saint-Gilles 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.