Phare de Gatteville Lighthouse, Gatteville-le-Phare, France

Phare de Gatteville, also known as Pointe de Barfleur Light, is an active lighthouse. At a height of 75 m it is the third tallest 'traditional lighthouse' in the world.

Strong currents and many shipwrecks at the tip of Barfleur, the most famous of which being the White Ship, necessitated building a lighthouse at the location. In 1774 a cylindrical 25 metres granite lighthouse with a stone rectangular main building were built. The lighthouse was topped with a coal fire. It was first lit on November 1, 1775, and was originally called Phare de Barfleur (Barfleur Lighthouse).

In September 1780 the lantern was replaced with 16 oil lamps with a fire glazed glass lantern and Tourtille-Sangrain reflectors.

In 1825 an upgrade of the lens was planned, requiring raising the tower an additional 32 metres, but the building proved not to be wide enough. Thus, the architect Charles-Félix Morice de la Rue drew plans for the tallest lighthouse in the world for that time. It was built 60 metres from the old lighthouse. Building took place from 1829 to 1835 and the light was first lit on April 1, 1835. The smaller tower's lantern was removed, and it was turned into a semaphore. It remains on site.

Vegetable oil was used until 1873, when it was replaced by mineral oil. On May 20, 1891 the name of the lighthouse was changed to Phare de Gatteville (Gatteville Lighthouse). On January 17, 1893 the lantern was replaced with an electric lantern.

In 1944 the lighthouse was liberated without major damage and quickly returned to operation. In 1948 it was connected to the electrical network. The lighthouse remained open to the public until 1996, when it was closed for renovation. It reopened July 5, 1997, as a lighthouse museum.

The tower is cylindrical with a gallery and a lantern. Visitors can climb 365 stairs to reach the gallery. The current light is a 1600 watt xenon lamp. One lamp is lit on clear days and two on bad weather.

References:

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Miscellaneous historic sites in France

User Reviews

TheEvdriver (3 years ago)
Nice to see from the outside. A Lighthouse with some architectural hints and a history.

velo location (3 years ago)
After cycling 140 Kms from Ouisterham that morning to Gatteville lighthouse I arrived just a little too late to see this museum, but nevertheless the building is truly striking in appearance and dominates the coastline I camped overnight quite close to it about 100 metres away, as the sun rises it has magnificent splendor. Have a great visit, I recommend.

Daniel Ajibade (3 years ago)
Up the lighthouse, you'll have the most beautiful and awesome view of Normandy ? it is breathe-taking

J vK (3 years ago)
Not visited the tower, however, walking/hopping the stones in front was fun and resulted also in nice views over the Atlantic.

Pierre Rey (3 years ago)
365 steps to get to the top and then you can enjoy a superbe view.

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