Phare de Cambron-sur-Mer
HVMP+VV Brugelette, Belgium
Name and Location
Phare de Cambron-sur-Mer, also known as "The Pairi Daiza Lighthouse", is located in the "Seaside Belgium" section of Pairi Daiza zoological and botanical park in Cambron-Casteau (Brugelette), province of Hainaut, Wallonia, Belgium. The address is Route Sans Nom (plus-code HVMP+VV), 7940 Brugelette, Belgium.
Construction and History
The Phare de Cambron-sur-Mer was likely erected during the early 2000s expansion of Pairi Daiza's coastal-themed area. Although its exact construction date is not publicly documented, it serves as a decorative landmark to evoke a North Sea seaside atmosphere.
Architecture and Materials
The lighthouse features a 19th-century coastal lighthouse vernacular style, with a cylindrical tower, balcony, and lantern. The structure is presumed to be made of reinforced concrete core with rendered finish, metal gallery, and lantern structure, and glass panels in the lantern room.
Light and Navigation
There is no active light or signal; the Phare de Cambron-sur-Mer is purely ornamental. It does not serve any official maritime navigation function.
Accessibility and Visiting
The lighthouse is publicly accessible as part of Pairi Daiza's admission. Opening hours follow the park schedule, typically from March to November. Admission is included in standard park ticket; there is no extra fee. On-site facilities include cafés, restrooms, and picnic areas nearby within the park.
Notable Views and Landscape
The Phare de Cambron-sur-Mer offers elevated views over the park's coastal exhibit and adjacent water features. Its surroundings feature artificial dunes, themed beach huts, maritime-style cafés, and children's play area.
Anecdotes and Folklore
According to park staff, the structure was inspired by classic Belgian coastal lighthouses of Ostend and Blankenberge, transposed inland to delight visitors unfamiliar with the North Sea coast.
Technical and Operational Details
The Phare de Cambron-sur-Mer has no official height measurement, but is approximately 12 meters above its base. Its managing authority is Pairi Daiza – Fondation D'Hudult, which does not list or protect it under Belgian heritage registers. The lighthouse is not automated as there is no working light.
Further Information
For more information on Phare de Cambron-sur-Mer, visit the Pairi Daiza official website at https://www.pairidaiza.eu or consult the OpenStreetMap entry at https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=50.5846434&mlon=3.8871478.
Details
| Name | Phare de Cambron-sur-Mer |
|---|---|
| City | Cambron-Casteau (Brugelette) |
| Country | Belgium |
| Coordinates | 50.5846434, 3.8871478 |
| Stories | According to park staff, the structure was inspired by the classic Belgian coastal lighthouses of Ostend and Blankenberge, transposed inland to delight visitors unfamiliar with the North Sea coast. |
| Architectural style | 19th-century coastal lighthouse vernacular (cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern) |
| Architect | Pairi Daiza in-house design team |
| Construction material | "reinforced concrete core with rendered finish; metal gallery and lantern structure; glass panels in the lantern room" |
| Tower height | 12 |
| Heritage status | false |
| Access description | Publicly accessible as part of the park's admission. |
| Accessible | true |
| Landscape type | artificial dunes, themed beach huts, maritime-style cafés and children’s play area |
| View description | Elevated panorama over the park's coastal exhibit and adjacent water features |
| Guided tours | true |
| Facilities | cafés, restrooms and picnic areas nearby within the park |
| Opening hours | Follows Pairi Daiza park schedule (typically March–November; special winter events may apply) |
| Nearby attractions | ["Terre du Froid (Polar World) to the north","Le Jardin Chinois (Chinese Garden) to the east","Le Village des Immortels (Indonesian Temple) to the south"] |
| AIS Radar | false |
| Automated | false |