Name and Location

The Phare de Calais is a landmark lighthouse located in the city of Calais, Pas-de-Calais department, Hauts-de-France region, northern France.

Construction and History

The Phare de Calais was built between 1848 and 1859 to serve as a beacon for ships traversing the English Channel. Its construction was prompted by the need to improve maritime safety and facilitate trade between France and England. The lighthouse's original tower was designed by French engineer Louis-Michel Auneau.

Architecture and Materials

The Phare de Calais is a striking example of mid-19th-century architecture, characterized by its black-and-white striped façade and cylindrical shape. The tower is topped with a lantern room housing the original Fresnel lens, which has been replaced with a modern LED system.

Light and Navigation

The Phare de Calais emits a white light every 15 seconds, visible for approximately 22 kilometers (14 miles) to the north and northwest. This unique sequence of flashes has been used as a navigational aid since its construction. The lighthouse's original light source was a Fresnel lens, which was replaced with an electric lamp in 1932.

Accessibility and Visiting

Visitors can explore the lighthouse's interior, which features exhibits on its history and operation. The surrounding area offers scenic views of the English Channel, making it a popular tourist destination.

Notable Views and Landscape

The Phare de Calais has been georeferenced with coordinates 1.8536542, 50.9612945, providing accurate location data for knowledge bases and GeoJSON datasets.

Anecdotes and Folklore

No information available.

Technical and Operational Details

In addition to serving as a navigation aid, the Phare de Calais also operates a radio station transmitting on frequency 156850000 kHz, channel 17. This broadcast facility provides essential communication services for mariners and coastal authorities.

Further Information

The Phare de Calais has been designated as a historic monument in France and is listed as a significant lighthouse by the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA).