Phare de l'Hôpital
107 D513, 14600 Honfleur, France
Name and Location
The Phare de l'Hôpital, also known locally as "Phare – Naturoscope," is a coastal lighthouse located in Honfleur, France. It is situated on the edge of Honfleur's old town, overlooking the estuary of the Seine.Construction and History
The exact construction date of the Phare de l'Hôpital is unknown, but its form suggests it was built in the late 19th or early 20th century. The lighthouse appears to be made of cast-iron or steel-sheet materials. Its original purpose was as a navigation aid for maritime traffic.
Architecture and Materials
The Phare de l'Hôpital features a tapered tower with a balcony and lantern, typical of late-19th or early-20th-century lighthouse construction. The architect and stylistic attribution are undocumented.
Although the light source has been decommissioned, the original lamp once guided mariners through the Seine estuary. The current operational status is unknown, but there are no AIS or radar installations on site.
Accessibility and Visiting
The Phare de l'Hôpital now serves as a visitor centre focused on local coastal ecology and maritime heritage. The interior is open seasonally (April–September) for guided tours or free admission, subject to change. Visitors can access the site on foot from Honfleur's old harbour.
Notable Views and Landscape
The lighthouse offers stunning views of the Seine estuary and the surrounding coastal landscape. Nearby attractions include the historic 17th-18th-century timber-framed houses in Vieux Bassin, the Musée Eugène Boudin, Église Sainte-Catherine, and coastal walking paths along the Seine.
Further Information
For more information on visiting the Phare de l'Hôpital, please contact Honfleur's tourist office or visit their website.
Details
| Name | Phare de l'Hôpital |
|---|---|
| City | Honfleur |
| Country | France |
| Coordinates | 49.4247596, 0.2283129 |
| Stories | Vieux Bassin and its historic 17th-/18th-century timber-framed houses.; Musée Eugène Boudin (fine-arts museum).; Église Sainte-Catherine (wood-built church).; Coastal walking paths along the Seine estuary. |
| Access description | on foot from Honfleur's old harbour (Vieux Bassin), a 5-minute walk along Boulevard Charles V. Limited parking on D513. |
| Accessible | true |
| Landscape type | coastal |
| View description | overlooking the estuary of the Seine |
| Guided tours | true |
| Facilities | toilets, café, gift shop |
| Nearby attractions | ["Vieux Bassin and its historic 17th-/18th-century timber-framed houses.","Musée Eugène Boudin (fine-arts museum).","Église Sainte-Catherine (wood-built church).","Coastal walking paths along the Seine estuary."] |
| AIS Radar | false |
| Automated | false |