Name and Location

The Fanal de Feno lighthouse is located in Bonifacio, Corse-du-Sud, Corsica, France. Its official name is Fanal de Feno, while the local Corsican name is Fanale di Fenu. The address is Route Sans Nom, plus code 93RW+RG, and its coordinates are 41°23′31.45″ N, 9°05′46.90″ E (decimal 41.3920696, 9.0963626).

2. Construction and History

The Fanal de Feno lighthouse was built in 1874 during the expansion of French lighthouse services under the Third Republic. It is part of a network of "major lights" designed to guide vessels through the often-treacherous waters between Corsica and Sardinia.

3. Architecture and Materials

The construction era and style of the Fanal de Feno lighthouse are typical of late 19th-century maritime engineering, characteristic of French Phares et Balises from that period. The materials used in its construction are likely local stone or masonry, as with contemporaneous Corsican lighthouses.

4. Light and Navigation

The light characteristic of the Fanal de Feno lighthouse is not documented, but it is presumed to be a flashing pattern appropriate for a "major light." The range of the light is not documented either, although typically, major coastal lights have a range of 15-20 nautical miles.

5. Accessibility and Visiting

The site lies on a rocky headland and can only be accessed by foot via unpaved coastal tracks. There are no formal visitor facilities, and the tower is closed to the public. The best viewing points are from nearby clifftop paths.

6. Notable Views and Landscape

From the top of the headland, visitors can enjoy spectacular panoramas of the Lavezzi Isles, the Sardinian coast, and the white limestone cliffs around Bonifacio. The surrounding vegetation is typical maquis shrubland and wind-swept rock.

7. Anecdotes and Folklore

There are no well-documented legends or keeper stories associated with the Fanal de Feno lighthouse. Locally, it is sometimes referred to simply as "Fenu Lantern" by boaters.

8. Technical and Operational Details

The Fanal de Feno lighthouse is managed by the Service des Phares et Balises (French Lighthouse and Beacons Service). It is presumed automated, with no resident keeper since automation. The lighthouse's navigational role is still active as an aid to navigation in the Strait of Bonifacio.

9. Further Information

For further information on the Fanal de Feno lighthouse, please refer to OpenStreetMap (way/118078435), the Service des Phares et Balises (French Ministry of Ecology) general lighthouse network overview, and the Municipality of Bonifacio tourist office (www.bonifacio.fr).