Cordouan Lighthouse, Le Verdon-sur-Mer, France

Cordouan lighthouse is located 7 kilometres at sea, near the mouth of the Gironde estuary in France. At a height of 67.5 metres, it is the tenth-tallest 'traditional lighthouse' in the world.

The Tour de Cordouan, the 'Patriarch of Lighthouses', is by far the oldest lighthouse in France. It was designed by leading Paris architect Louis de Foix, and is something of a Renaissance masterpiece, an amalgam of royal palace, cathedral and fort. Started in 1584 and finished in 1611, it still stands today. Three stories were added in the 18th century.

It was listed as a historic monument in 1862, and recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2021.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

annie roux (3 years ago)
Beautiful restoration, unexpected architecture, nice sailing and special thanks to the office lady who called me to make sure I would make it on time and waited for me with the ticket to make sure I could board even though I was a few minutes late. Very much appreciated! All in all I am super happy I could make it!

Liz Senser (4 years ago)
From start to finish an amazing experience! We booked with Phare de Siren. A well orchestrated crew from Captain on down. Highly recommend.

EDITH FIESTAS (5 years ago)
Cool!

Fred H. (6 years ago)
Amazing moment! You take a boat trip to the sea then a boat-truck ride to the lighthouse. The boat floats then rides the bottom of the ocean. Depending of the tides, you may have to walk 10 minutes on the sand/bottom of the ocean at some point to reach the boat-truck, that was a unique experience! The lighthouse is beautiful, the last one inhabited in the world. The wardens are also giides, friendly and funny. A MUST DO!

Alex W (6 years ago)
Absolutely stunning! The most amazing lighthouse I've ever seen. Right out in the ocean and takes a while to get there by boat. The interior is beautiful and includes a chapel and king's room complete with fireplaces. The view from the top - the ocean in all directions is stunning. Not to be missed!

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Mark1792

Historic Site of the week

Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Palace was built in the period 1606-34 as Christian IV’s summerhouse just outside the ramparts of Copenhagen. Christian IV was very fond of the palace and often stayed at the castle when he resided in Copenhagen, and it was here that he died in 1648. After his death, the palace passed to his son King Frederik III, who together with his queen, Sophie Amalie, carried out several types of modernisation.

The last king who used the place as a residence was Frederik IV, and around 1720, Rosenborg was abandoned in favor of Frederiksborg Palace.Through the 1700s, considerable art treasures were collected at Rosenborg Castle, among other things items from the estates of deceased royalty and from Christiansborg after the fire there in 1794.

Soon the idea of a museum arose, and that was realised in 1833, which is The Royal Danish Collection’s official year of establishment.

Cordouan Lighthouse

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Rosenborg Castle