Lighthouse Explorer Database ... Cordouan ...

02/26/05 10:22 PM

1-800-758-1444

Name: Cordouan Lighthouse

Also known as: Phare de Cordouan

Also known as: Le Roi des Phares

Nearest Town or City:
Verdon-sur-Mer, France

Location: Island of Cordouan, entrance to Gironde Estuary, southwest France.

Notes:
This is the oldest lighthouse in France, and the first in the world to be built on the open ocean. It was extended in height and renovated 1786-1790. On the first floor, there is a chapel, and there is a room in the tower called the "King's Bedroom," included in case there was a visit from King Louis XIV. This was the first lighthouse in the world to use a Fresnel lens (1823).

Tower Height: 213

Height of Focal Plane: 207

This light is operational

Date Established: 1611

Museum?
The Musée du Phare de Cordouan et des Phares et Balises at Verdon-sur-Mer has exhibits on this lighthouse.

Directions:
The lighthouse can be visited from April to September. A high-speed motorboat takes passengers to Cordouan in about 30 minutes. For information call the Office of Tourism of Verdon at 05 56 09 61 78.