Lighthouses of France: Var (Saint-Tropez and Toulon Area)

France (officially the French Republic, République française) has coasts facing south on the Mediterranean Sea, west on the open Atlantic Ocean, and north on the English Channel (La Manche in French). Long a leader in lighthouse design, France has scores of famous and historic lighthouses. And it was a French engineer and physicist, Augustin-Jean Fresnel (1788-1837), who invented the powerful and beautiful lenses used in lighthouses around the world.

For local government mainland France is divided into 94 departments (départements), which are grouped for administrative purposes into 12 regions (régions).This page includes lighthouses of the Department of Var, part of the Côte d'Azur, France's southeastern coast, often called the French Riviera in English. Var was part of the historic province of Provence and is now included in the region called Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA for short). Var includes the famous resorts of the Saint-Tropez area as well as Toulon, France's major naval base on the Mediterranean.

The French word for a lighthouse, phare, is often reserved for the larger coastal lighthouses; a smaller light or harbor light is called a feu (literally "fire," but here meaning "light") or a balise (beacon). The front light of a range (alignement) is the feu antérieur and the rear light is the feu postérieur. In French île is an island, cap is a cape, pointe is a promontory or point of land, roche is a rock, récife is a reef, baie is a bay, estuaire is an estuary or inlet, détroit is a strait, rivière is a river, and havre is a harbor.

Aids to navigation in France are maintained by the Bureau des Phares et Balises, an agency of the Direction des Affaires Maritimes (Directorate of Maritime Affairs). The Directorate has four regional offices (called Directions Interrégionale de la Mer, or DIRM) at Le Havre, Nantes, Bordeaux, and Marseille. Mediterranean lighthouses fall under the Marseille office, DIRM Méditerranée.

ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. FR numbers, where available, are the French light list numbers. Admiralty numbers are from volume E of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 113.


Cap Bénat Light, Bormes-les-Mimosas, April 2018
Google Maps photo by Michel Monteil

General Sources
Les Sentinelles des Mers - Méditerranée
Photos and information posted by Guy Detienne.
DIRM Méditerranée - Phares de Méditérranée (Continental Est)
An interactive map leads to information and photos for the major lighthouses.
Phares d'Europe
A large, well known site maintained by Alain Guyomard and Robert Carceller.
Phares de France
Another large and well known site, this one by Jean-Christophe Fichou, rich in historical information.
Phareland, le Site des Phares de France
This comprehensive site has good photos and information about the major lighthouses.
Online List of Lights - Mediterranean France
Photos by various photographers posted by Alexander Trabas. For this area, some of the photos are by Arno Siering, Capt. Peter Mosselberger ("Capt. Peter"), or Heidi and Friedrich Klatt ("the Klatts").
Lighthouses in Var
Photos by various photographers available from Wikimedia.
World of Lighthouses - South Coast of France
Photos by various photographers available from Lightphotos.net.
Lighthouses in France
Aerial photos posted by Marinas.com.
Société Nationale pour le Patrimoine des Phares et Balises (S.N.P.B.)
The French national lighthouse preservation organization.
Französische Leuchttürme
Historic photos and postcard images posted by Klaus Huelse.
GPSNauticalCharts
Navigational chart information for southern France.
Navionics Charts
Navigational chart for southern France.

Jetée Nord Light (Phare Rouge), Saint-Tropez, August 2008
Flickr Creative Commons photo by Chris Goldberg
Saint-Raphaël and Fréjus Lighthouses
La Chrétienne
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); six quick white flashes and one long white flash every 15 s. 13 m (43 ft) round stone tower. Upper half of the lighthouse painted yellow, lower half black. Trabas has Eckhard Meyer's photo and Google has a satellite view. Located on a reef about 1 km (0.6 mi) offshore southwest of Agay. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty E0795.5; NGA 7064.
* Agay (La Baumette)
1884. Active; focal plane 28 m (92 ft); white or red light, depending on direction, 3 s on, 1 s off. 16 m (52 ft) square masonry tower with lantern and gallery, attached to the front of a 1-story masonry keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white, lantern and gallery red. Jean-Michel Celeste's photo is at right, Trabas has Capt. Peter's closeup photo, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. There is a monument at the lighthouse in memory of the author and aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, who flew over this spot on his last and fatal flight on 31 July 1944. Located on the Pointe des Baumettes, on the east side of the entrance to the beautiful Rade d'Agay, about 10 km (6 mi) east of Saint-Raphaël. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS FRA-137; FR-1490; Admiralty E0795; NGA 7060.
* Saint-Raphaël (3)
2016 (station established 1873). Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); three green flashes every 12 s. The light is mounted atop the round pierhead building (the harbor office) seen in a 2021 sea view by Martin Gygax. Trabas has Capt. Peter's closeup photo, and Google also has a satellite view. The second lighthouse, a 13 m (43 ft) slender stone tower, replaced the original cast iron tourelle seen in at the far left of Huelse's postcard view. The second lighthouse was demolished in 2012 to make way for the current building. Located at the end of the south jetty at Saint-Raphaël; accessible by walking the jetty. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS FRA-501; Admiralty E0792.
* [Lanterne d'Auguste]
The Lanterne d'Auguste is a well-preserved square stone Roman daybeacon with a pyramidal top built during the reign of Augustus (27 BCE-14 CE). Michel Royon's closeup photo is below right and Google has a street view and a satellite view. This tower and the next one guided vessels into the Roman port of Forum Julii, now Fréjus. Located near the east end of the Rue de la Lanterne d'Auguste on the south side of Fréjus. Site open.

Agay Light (La Baumette), Saint-Raphaël, August 2011
Flickr Creative Commons photo by Jean-Michel Celeste
* [Butte Saint-Antoine]
The Butte Saint-Antoine is the foundation ruin of a Roman lighthouse built in the reign of Tiberius (14-37 CE). Google has a street view and a satellite view. This tower and the previous one guided vessels into the Roman port of Forum Julii, now Fréjus. Located near the west end of the Rue de la Lanterne d'Auguste on the south side of Fréjus. Site open.

Saint-Tropez Lighthouses
Sèche à l'Huile
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 9 m (30 s); six quick flashes followed by one long flash every 15 s. 16 m (52 ft) round stone tower, upper half painted yellow and lower half black. Trabas has Capt. Peter's photo and Google has a satellite view. This light marks the north side of the entrance to the Golfe de Saint-Tropez. Located at sea about 1 km (0.6 mi) off the Pointe des Sardinaux east of Sainte-Maxime. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Admiralty E0790; NGA 7020.
* Saint-Tropez (Jetée Nord) (4) ("Phare Rouge")
2001 (station established 1858). Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); white or red light, depending on direction, occulting twice every 6 s. 16 m (52 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery. Tower is unpainted stone with trim painted white; lantern and gallery painted red. Chris Goldberg's photo is at the top of this page, Trabas has the Klatts' photo, Bernard Legrand has a 2022 photo, Albert de la Hoz has a third photo, Claudio Di Pinto has a street view, and Google has a satellite view. The second St.-Tropez lighthouse, known affectionately as the Phare Rouge, was built at the end of the north jetty in 1869 and served until it was destroyed by German troops in 1944. It was replaced by a drab and "temporary" concrete tower. The temporary light remained for 36 years, until an extension of the jetty made a new light necessary. The city government then paid to construct an exact replica of the Phare Rouge, which was lit on the first day of the Millennium, 1 January 2001. Located at the end of the breakwater. Accessible by walking the jetty. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS FRA-082; Admiralty E0778; NGA 7000.
La Moutte (Cap de St.-Tropez)
1934(?). Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); three quick flashes every 10 s, white or red depending on direction. 11 m (36 ft) round stone tower, painted black with a yellow horizontal band. Trabas has the Klatts' closeup photo and Google has a satellite view. The beacon may well be much older than 1934; that's the date when it was first lit. This light marks the south side of the entrance to the Golfe de St.-Tropez. Located about 1.5 km (1 mi) off the point of the Cap de St.-Tropez. Accessible only by boat; there is a distant view from the end of the Chemin de la Moutte about 6 km (3.5 mi) east of St.-Tropez. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS FRA-366; Admiralty E0774; NGA 6992.

Lanterne d'Auguste, Fréjus, March 2010
Wkimedia Creative Commons photo by Michel Royon

Cap Camarat and Cap Bénat Lighthouses
**** Cap Camarat
1838. Active; focal plane 130 m (427 ft); four white flashes every 15 s. 25 m (82 ft) square cylindrical stone tower with lantern and gallery, rising from the center of a square 1-story stone block keeper's house. Tower painted white, lantern black; the keeper's house is painted buff with white trim. A photo is at right, Trabas has the Klatts' photo, Phareland.com has many photos, Wikimedia has an aerial photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. This lighthouse has the same design as Cap d'Arme (Porquerolles) except that the tower is 5 m (16 ft) taller. It is the second highest light in France (after the Phare de Vallauris near Cannes) and it marks a major change in the direction of the coastline south of St.-Tropez. It was strafed by Allied aircraft in 1944 but not seriously damaged. Located at the end of the Route de Camarat about 7 km (4.5 mi) by road southeast of Ramatuelle. Site open, tower open for climbing daily throughout the summer season. . ARLHS FRA-077; FR-1481; Admiralty E0772; NGA 6988.
* Bormes-les-Mimosas
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); two red flashes every 6 s. 7 m (23 ft) three-legged concrete pylon painted white with a red top. Trabas has Capt. Peter's photo, Grégory Ranque has a 2021 photo, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. Located on the east jetty, called the Quai d'Honneur, at Bormes-les Mimosas, a yacht harbor north of Cap Bénat. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty E0765; NGA 6964.
Cap Bénat
1895. Active; focal plane 60 m (197 ft); red flash every 5 s. 16 m (52 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 2-story masonry keeper's house. Tower painted white, lantern and gallery red. Trabas has the Klatts' photo, Michel Monteil's 2018 photo is at the top of this page, Thomas Biero has a similar 2021 photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. Cap Bénat is a prominent cape on the mainland facing the Rade d'Hyères. The cape is in a restricted residential area, so it is not possible to reach the lighthouse by road. Dedicated lighthouse fans can reach the light by a hike of about two hours each way on the spectacular coastal trail from La Favière. The lighthouse is actually located on Cap Blanc, the more southwesterly of the two forks of Cap Bénat. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS FRA-076; Admiralty E0764; NGA 6956.
Cap Camarat Light
Cap Camarat Light, Ramatuelle, April 2011
Wikimedia Creative Commons photo by Wusel007

Hyères and Îles d'Hyères Lighthouses
The Îles d'Hyères are islands lying off the southernmost point of the Côte d'Azur east of Toulon. Between the islands and the mainland is a deepwater sound called the Rade d'Hyères. The town of Hyères is on a peninsula of the mainland opposite the islands.

Les Salins (Port Pothuau) Jetée de l'Est
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); white or green light, depending on direction, occulting three times every 12 s. 8 m (26 ft) post mounted on the roof of a 1-story pierhead building. The upper half of the post is painted green and the rest of the structure is white. Trabas has Capt. Peter's photo and Google has a street view and a satellite view. Located on the east breakwater of Les Salins, an old fishing harbor on the mainland coast of the Rade d'Hyères. Admiralty E0756; NGA 6944.
* Hyères Jetée de l'Est
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); green flash every 4 s. 7 m (23 ft) octagonal pyramidal concrete tower, painted white with a narrow green band at the top. Trabas has Eckhard Meyer's photo and Google has a street view and a satellite view. Located on the east (main) breakwater of Port St.-Pierre. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty E0754; NGA 6920.
* Hyères Jetée de l'Ouest
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); red light, 3 s on, 1 s off. 7 m (23 ft) octagonal pyramidal concrete tower, painted white with a narrow red band at the top. Trabas has Capt. Peter's photo and Google has a street view and a satellite view. Located on the west breakwater of Port St.-Pierre, on the east side of Hyères. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty E0754.2; ex-NGA 6924.
Le Titan (1)
1837. Inactive since 1893. 8 m (26 ft) square tower centered on a 1-story keeper's house. A photo is at right and Frédéric Segoura has a similar 2023 photo, but Google's satellite view conceals the area for security reasons. Huelse has a historic postcard view (note the formidable stairway leading up from the landing below the lighthouse). The present light tower was added in 1893 because the original tower was not large enough to carry a 1st order lantern. Site status unknown, tower closed.
Le Titan (2)
1893 (station established 1837). Active; focal plane 70 m (230 ft); white flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story stone keeper's house. Centered on the roof of the house is a square tower that originally carried the lantern. Lighthouse painted white with unpainted stone trim; lantern painted black. A photo is at right, Trabas has the Klatts' photo, Frédéric Segoura has a 2023 photo, and Franck Madile has a closeup photo. The present light tower was added in 1893 because the original tower was not large enough to carry a 1st order lantern. This historic lighthouse marks the eastern end of the Îles d'Hyères, making it a very important light for westbound shipping. Built at the eastern tip of the Île du Levant, it is located in a restricted military zone not accessible to the public in the past; the photo suggests this may be changing. Site status unknown, tower closed. . ARLHS FRA-504; FR-1479; Admiralty E0770; NGA 6976.

Le Titan Light, Îles d'Hyères, March 2015
Wikimedia Creative Commons photo by Sardon
*** Cap d'Arme (Porquerolles, Rocher de la Croix)
1837. Active; focal plane 80 m (262 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 20 m (66 ft) square cylindrical stone block tower with lantern and gallery, rising from the center of a square 1-story stone block keeper's house. The lighthouse is unpainted white stone, lantern painted black. Trabas has a photo, Florence Bourdelin has a 2021 photo, a view from the sea and a closeup of the lantern are available, Huelse has a historic postcard view, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. This historic lighthouse marks the southernmost point of the Côte d'Azur and ranks as one of the great lighthouses of the Mediterranean. In 1944 keeper Joseph Pellegrino's one-man defense saved the lighthouse from destruction by a small detachment of German troops sent for that purpose; for this heroism Pellegrino was awarded the Croix de l'Légion d'Honneur, the Cross of the Legion of Honor, France's highest award. The lighthouse is a popular attraction because of its spectacular view of the Mediterranean and the Îles d'Hyères; it is accessible by a hike of about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) one way from the village of Porquerolles, which can be reached by ferry from Giens. There is a small museum in the lighthouse. Located at the southernmost point of the Île de Porquerolles. Site open, tower open daily. . ARLHS FRA-128; FR-1462; Admiralty E0751; NGA 6908.
Jeaune Garde
1934. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); quick-flashing light, white or red depending on direction. 16 m (52 ft) round masonry tower with a small gallery but no lantern. The upper half of the tower is black and the lower half yellow. Trabas has the Klatts' photo, Vincent Van der Weide has a closeup, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a rocky reef about 800 m (1/2 mi) northwest of the western tip of the Île de Porquerolles. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Admiralty E0750; NGA 6904.
Cap d'Arme Light
Cap d'Arme (Porquerolles) Light, Hyères, March 2007
Wikimedia Creative Commons photo by Jlucnet
Grand-Ribaud (2)
1953 (station established 1851). Active; focal plane 35 m (115 ft); four white flashes every 15 s. 16 m (52 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery, rising from the elbow of an L-shaped 1-story masonry keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white, lantern black. A DIRM photo is at right, Trabas has the Klatts' photo, Wikimedia has distant views, and Google has a good satellite view. The Îlot du Grand-Ribaud is a small, privately owned island in the western entrance to the Rade d'Hyères, between the Giens peninsula and the Île du Porquerolles. Huelse has a historic postcard view of the original lighthouse, which was destroyed during World War II. Located on the south point of the island, about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) southeast of Giens. Accessible only by boat; there should be a distant view from the ferry between Giens and the Île de Porquerolles. Site status unknown. ARLHS FRA-304; FR-1459; Admiralty E0748; NGA 6896.

Toulon Area Lighthouses
Located east of Marseilles, Toulon has been the traditional home port of the French Mediterranean Fleet since it was founded by Charles VIII in 1494. The inner harbor of Toulon, called the Petite Rade (little roads), is protected by a 1400 m (0.86 mi) long breakwater completed in 1882. Most shipping proceeds around the south end of the breakwater, but at the north end there is a gap, the Petite Passe, where smaller vessels can pass close to shore.

*
#Le Mourillon (1)
1937(?). Replaced. This was a 4.5 m (15 ft) square post rising from a 1-story triangular equipment shelter. Post painted light blue, equipment shelter white. A 2009 closeup is available and Christophe Jeannette has a photo. The light (focal plane 10 m (33 ft); green light occulting twice every 6 s) has been replaced by a light on a simple post. Trabas has Eckhard Meyer's photo of the current light. Google has an indistinct satellite view. There is evidence that a light was displayed here earlier than 1937. Located at the end of the breakwater mole at the Port du Mourillon, a small boat harbor at the foot of the Rue Pierre Suffren in eastern Toulon, about 1 km (0.6 mi) northeast of the Petite Passe. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Current light: Admiralty E0742; NGA 6840.

Grand-Ribaud Light, Rade d'Hyères
DIRM photo
* Toulon Petite Passe (2)
Date unknown (station established 1900?). Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); red or green light depending on direction, 2 s on, 2 s off. Light mounted atop a 22 m (72 ft) gray harbor control building. Nini Coquillat has a 2017 photo and Google has a street view, but the satellite view is masked. Located at the end of a short jetty projecting into the Petite Passe. This light probably still exists but the active light is now on a post at the end of the jetty. Trabas has Capt. Peter's photo of the new light. Huelse has a historic postcard view of the original light, a 9 m (30 ft) cast iron tourelle. Located on the jetty beyond the end of the Avenue de la Tour Royale in southeastern Toulon. Site open (or at least one should be able to get close to the building), tower status unknown. ARLHS FRA-393. Active light: Admiralty E0720; NGA 6836.
Toulon Grande Jetée (2)
2009 (station established 1893). Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); green flash every 2.5 s. 9 m (30 ft) round hourglass-shaped tower, painted white with a green band at the top. Trabas has Capt. Peter's closeup photo and Google has a satellite view. The original lighthouse was a cylindrical cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, a typical prefabricated tourelle. This light marks the main ship channel, which rounds the south end of the breakwater. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS FRA-562; Admiralty E0717; NGA 6832.
Saint-Mandrier Jetée (1)
1884. Inactive since late 2017 or early 2018. 14 m (46 ft) round cylindrical cast iron tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted white, lantern and gallery red. The original 1-1/2 story masonry keeper's house stands next to the lighthouse. One of Capt. Peter's photos is seen at right, Delphine Gimbert has a 2008 photo, Alessandro Moggi has a 2007 photo, and Huelse has a historic postcard view. Google's satellite view is masked. This is typical prefabricated tourelle. It is not clear if it will be preserved. Located at the end of the breakwater jetty of St.-Mandrier-sur-Mer, on the north side of the Cap Cépet peninsula and the south side of the Rade de Toulon. Site and tower closed. ARLHS FRA-487.
Saint-Mandrier Jetée (2)
2017 or early 2018 (station established 1884). Active; focal plane about 13 m (43 ft); two red flashes every 10 s. 9 m (30 ft) round hourglass-shaped fiberglass tower, colored white with a red band at the top. Trabas has Capt. Peter's closeup photo. Located next to the historic lighthouse. Site and tower closed. Admiralty E0716; NGA 6820.

New (left) and old Jetty Lights, Saint-Mandrier-sur-Mer
photo copyright Capt. Peter Mosselberger; used by permission
Cap Cépet (Pointe Rascas) (2)
1950 (station established 1851). Inactive since 1992. 14.5 m (48 ft) square cylindrical masonry tower with lantern and gallery, rising through the rear of a 2-story masonry keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white, lantern black. The original Fresnel lens is on display at the Musée National de la Marine (National Naval Museum) in Toulon. Photos of this lighthouse are difficult to find; the Ministère de la Culture's archive photo appears at right. Jerome Carrillon has a 2022 view from the sea (lighthouse near the left edge) and Guyomard and Carceller have a distant view of the station. Google's satellite view is masked. The original lighthouse, an 11 m (36 ft) masonry tower rising from a masonry keeper's house, was destroyed in 1943 during World War II. Cap Cépet is the promontory sheltering the magnificent harbor of Toulon, the home port of France's Mediterranean Fleet. The cape is a restricted military area closed to the public for many years. In 1992 the Navy relocated the light but it also restored the lighthouse as a historical monument. Located on the point of the cape, about 2 km (1.2 mi) east of St.-Mandrier-sur-Mer. Site and tower closed (restricted military zone). ARLHS FRA-078.
Cap Cépet (Pointe Rascas) (3)
1992 (station established 1851). Active; focal plane 76 m (249 ft); three white flashes every 15 s. 14 m (46 ft) square concrete tower with gallery rising from the center of a 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Lighthouse painted white; the roof of the equipment shelter is red. Trabas has Jim Smith's view from the sea and Jerome Carrillon has a 2022 view from the sea (lighthouse at upper right) but Google's satellite view is masked. Located 155 m (500 ft) northeast of the historic lighthouse. Site and tower closed (restricted military zone). FR-1434; Admiralty E0714; NGA 6796.
Phare du Cap Cépet
Cap Cépet Light, Saint-Mandrier-sur-Mer
Ministère de la Culture photo
Cap Sicié
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 47 m (154 ft); two white flashes every 6 s. Light mounted atop a small white equipment cabinet. Benoit Perrier has a photo, Trabas has Capt. Peter's distant view, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Cap Sicié is a rugged promontory jutting into the Mediterranean southwest of Toulon. There was never a major lighthouse here but there was a sémaphore (signal station) and various military installations, all now in ruins. Located above the point of the cape. Nearly inaccessible. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty E0713; NGA 6788.
Grand-Rouveau
1863 (Léonce Reynaud). Active; focal plane 45 m (148 ft); white light occulting twice every 6 s. 17 m (56 ft) square cylindrical stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to the front of a 1-story stone keeper's house. The lighthouse is unpainted stone; the lantern dome appears to be black. Lorenz Ruprecht's 2017 photo is at right, Trabas has a photo by Capt. Peter, Fabrice Althiery has a closeup, Vincent Ayala has a street view, Marinas.com has aerial photos, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. The Île du Grand Rouveau is the westernmost of the Îles des Embiez, a group of five islands with associated reefs and shoals. The island has been acquired by a land conservancy, the Conservatoire du Littoral. Located on the highest point of the island, about 5 km (3 mi) southwest of Sanary-sur-Mer. Accessible only by boat; there should be a distant view from the much larger Île d'Embiez, which is accessible by ferry from Six-Fours les Plages. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Conservatoire du Littoral (Île du Grand Rouveau) . ARLHS FRA-019; FR-1431; Admiralty E0710; NGA 6760.
* Sanary-sur-Mer (2)
Date unknown (station established 1894). Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); red flash every 4 s. 9 m (30 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 1-story stone equipment room. The lighthouse is unpainted white stone; lantern and gallery rail painted red. Andrei Singer has a photo, Trabas has Capt. Peter's photo, Bernard Gindrey has a street view, and Google has a satellite view. The original light was on a 6 m (20 ft) wood mast. Located at the end of the breakwater on the west side of the harbor at Sanary-sur-Mer; there's a good view from ferries leaving for the Île d'Embiez. Accessible by walking the breakwater. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS FRA-467; Admiralty E0704; NGA 6764.

Grand-Rouveau Light, Îles des Embiez, August 2017
ex-Google Plus photo by Lorenz Ruprecht

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: East: Alpes-Maritimes | West: Marseille Area

Return to the Lighthouse Directory index | Ratings key

Posted April 7, 2006. Checked and revised March 27, 2023. Lighthouses: 27. Site copyright 2023 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.