Lighthouse at Quai des Milliardaires
H4RJ+7R Antibes, France
Name and Location
The Lighthouse at Quai des Milliardaires, located in Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, France, marks the entrance to one of Europe's largest pleasure ports. The coordinates are 43°35′26.35″ N, 7°07′55.61″ E, and the Plus Code is H4RJ+7R.
2. Construction and History
The exact date of construction is unknown, but it is believed to have been built in the late 19th or early 20th century, a common period for constructing small harbour lights in France. The lighthouse is not individually listed as a Monument Historique.
3. Architecture and Materials
The structure is a small square masonry tower, painted white, made of local stone or concrete, typical of Provençal harbour lights. It stands approximately 4 meters above its base and has a focal plane of around 6 meters above sea level.
4. Light and Navigation
The light signal is likely fixed or flashing red sector light marking the port entrance, with a range of typically 3-5 nautical miles for minor harbour lights. The lighthouse is fully automated and powered by mains electricity with battery backup.
5. Accessibility and Visiting
Visitors can walk out to the light but are not allowed onto the lantern platform. Public access is available through the mole, which is open for pedestrian use. Nearby facilities include cafés and yacht-club restaurants on the mole, as well as public restrooms.
6. Notable Views and Landscape
The view seaward is of the Mediterranean with sightlines to Cap d’Antibes, Fort Carré, and (on clear days) the Îles de Lérins. The harbour setting features luxury yachts, sailing-boat marinas, and helicopter pads.
7. Anecdotes and Folklore
The lighthouse is sometimes called "le petit phare des milliardaires" in guidebooks due to its high concentration of million-euro yachts. Volunteer yacht-club members perform occasional lamp-check duties, but there has been no resident keeper since automation.
8. Technical and Operational Details
There is currently no published information on the light's characteristics or operational data.
9. Further Information
For further reading and references, consult SHOM chart 7402 – Port Vauban, the Cadastre dgi-fr (2009), Open Data, Antibes tourist office, Port Vauban website, and OpenStreetMap.
Details
| Name | Lighthouse at Quai des Milliardaires |
|---|---|
| City | Antibes |
| Country | France |
| Coordinates | 43.590654, 7.1321148 |
| Events | no major shipwrecks recorded at this specific light, though the wider entrance has claimed vessels in severe Mistral storms. |
| Stories | no resident keeper since automation; volunteer yacht-club members perform occasional lamp-check duties. |
| Architectural style | utilitarian harbour engineering |
| Construction material | "local stone or concrete" |
| Focal height | 6 |
| Tower height | 4 |
| Access description | By car or bus: follow signs for Port Vauban from Antibes town center. On foot: ~15 min along the seaside boulevard from Antibes old town and the Musée Picasso. |
| Accessible | true |
| Landscape type | harbour setting |
| View description | Mediterranean with sightlines to Cap d’Antibes, Fort Carré, and (on clear days) the Îles de Lérins. |
| Facilities | cafés and yacht-club restaurants on the mole; nearby public restrooms |
| Nearby attractions | ["Musée Picasso (Antibes old town) – 10 min walk.","Fort Carré ��� 5 min walk east along the ramparts.","Héliport Port Vauban – helicopter transfers to Nice and Cannes.","Port Vauban marina shops and restaurants."] |
| Light characteristic | "fixed or flashing red sector light" |
| Light range | 3.5 |
| Automated | true |