Phare de Gatteville et ancien phare, sémaphore de Barfleur
MonumentHidden Treasure
Phare de Gatteville et ancien phare, sémaphore de Barfleur, located in Gatteville-le-Phare (Manche), is a Renaissance château built in the 16th century. The monument is currently closed to visitors.
Key facts
- Type
- autre
- Period
- Renaissance (16th century)
- Location
- Gatteville-le-Phare, Manche, Normandie
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- Mérimée Reference
- PA50000065
A 75-metre-high granite sentinel overlooking the English Channel, the Gatteville lighthouse is the third tallest in France, a neoclassical guardian of one of Europe’s most treacherous coastlines.
History
Standing at the tip of Barfleur, where the Cotentin peninsula juts out like a blade into the English Channel, the Gatteville lighthouse is one of the great silhouettes of the Normandy coastline. Its granite tower, rising 75 metres above the waves, makes it one of the most eloquent lighthouses in France - third in height - and gives it a rare architectural presence that can be seen from afar even before you see the sea. What makes this monument so unique is first and foremost its duality: two lighthouses coexist on this wind-beaten promontory. The old lighthouse, built in 1775, is an early example of the rationalisation of coastal lighting in France, while the new one, built from 1829 in a neat neo-classical style, represents the ambition of the 19th century to finally control this deadly coastline. Together, they form a unique heritage ensemble, twice protected under the Monuments Historiques scheme. The visit begins long before you reach the summit: the 365-odd steps of the interior spiral - one for each day of the year, it is said - offer a gradual ascent through the history of navigation, punctuated by small rooms and windows that reveal the ever-expanding panorama in fragments. At the top, the view takes in the Raz de Barfleur, one of the most dangerous sea passages in Europe, with its impetuous currents and fearsome shoals. The site also boasts a semaphore, former lighthouse keepers' lodgings and outbuildings, forming a coherent whole that evokes the austere and rigorous life of the lighthouse keepers of yesteryear. This architectural microcosm, set at the very end of the Normandy world, will appeal as much to lovers of maritime heritage as it does to enthusiasts of photography, the Atlantic light and naval history.
Architecture
The Gatteville lighthouse, built between 1829 and 1835, is part of the neo-classical movement that marked the major public utility buildings of the Restoration and the July Monarchy. The cylindrical tower, built from local granite, reaches a total height of around 75 metres, making it the third highest lighthouse in France. Its slightly tapering shaft towards the top gives it a sober elegance, enhanced by the quality of the stonework, which ensures it stands up well to the repeated assaults of the Channel's storms. Inside, a spiral staircase with 365 steps winds its way up to the summit gallery, punctuated by small landings and niches that make the climb easier. The lantern at the top was gradually improved over the decades, until it was electrified in 1893. The first lighthouse, built in 1775, is more compact and in a later, more classical style. It stands sixty metres from the main tower, forming an architectural duo of great documentary value on the development of maritime lighting techniques. The site also includes the Barfleur semaphore, the former warden's lodgings, outbuildings and a surrounding wall that demarcates and protects this maritime complex. The harmony of these granite buildings, of a cold grey colour that the Normandy sun sometimes gilds, and their dialogue with the coastal landscape - open moorland, changing sea, immense sky - constitute one of the most memorable architectural compositions in the Cotentin region.
Related Figures
Vauban — maréchal de France, premier à préconiser l'établissement d'un phare à la pointe de BarfleurDuchesne — ingénieur des Ponts et Chaussées, maître d'œuvre du premier phare construit en 1775Morice de la Rüe — ingénieur, directeur des travaux du nouveau phare néo-classique (1829-1835)Henri Ier d'Angleterre — roi dont le fils périt dans le naufrage de la Blanche-Nef à proximité de ces eaux en 1120
Map
Coordinates not available for this monument.
Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Phare de Gatteville et ancien phare, sémaphore de Barfleur located?
Phare de Gatteville et ancien phare, sémaphore de Barfleur is located in Gatteville-le-Phare, Manche department, Normandie region, France.
When was Phare de Gatteville et ancien phare, sémaphore de Barfleur built?
Phare de Gatteville et ancien phare, sémaphore de Barfleur dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Phare de Gatteville et ancien phare, sémaphore de Barfleur open to visitors?
Phare de Gatteville et ancien phare, sémaphore de Barfleur is currently closed to visitors.