Phare de l'Île d'Aix
7 Fort de la Rade, 17123 Île-d'Aix, France
Name and Location
The Phare de l’Île d’Aix is a 19th-century lighthouse located on the Île d’Aix, a small island off the Charente-Maritime coast in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France. The official name is Phare de l’Île d’Aix.
Construction and History
The Phare de l’Île d’Aix was built as part of the defensive works around Fort de la Rade during the 19th century. It was constructed in conjunction with Vauban-style fortifications and served as a navigational aid, now classified as both a historic monument and a protected heritage site.
Architecture and Materials
The Phare de l’Île d’Aix is a cylindrical masonry lighthouse tower, likely painted white during its original construction. The exact materials used are not documented in the available records. It stands approximately 15-20 meters above base level and rises from the ramparts of Fort de la Rade.
Light and Navigation
The light characteristic of the Phare de l’Île d’Aix is speculated to be a group-flashing white every 10-15 seconds, with an estimated nominal range of 10-12 nautical miles. However, these details are not officially documented and should be confirmed via archival research or official maritime publications.
Accessibility and Visiting
The Phare de l’Île d’Aix is accessible by ferry or private boat from Fouras or La Rochelle. The lighthouse itself is on military heritage grounds; climbing the tower is generally not permitted. Visitor facilities are available on the island, including walking paths, a tourist office, and a maritime museum.
Notable Views and Landscape
The surrounding area offers stunning views of the Pertuis d’Antioche and Fort Boyard. Visitors can enjoy sandy beaches and coastal paths for panoramic views of the coastline.
Anecdotes and Folklore
Technical and Operational Details
The Phare de l’Île d’Aix is currently classified as a historic monument with unknown operational status. It is not confirmed whether the lighthouse was automated during the 20th century or remains manually operated.
Further Information
For further information, visit the Ministère de la Culture (Base Mérimée) entry PA17000087, Geojson (“relation/7292568”) from data.gouv.fr, or the French Wikipedia page on Phare de l’Île d���Aix.
Details
| Name | Phare de l'Île d'Aix |
|---|---|
| City | Île-d'Aix |
| Country | France |
| Coordinates | 46.0099207, -1.1779587 |
| Year of construction | 19th century (start date recorded as “C19”) |
| Historic significance | Part of the broader program of coastal defenses and navigation marks established after the Napoleonic Wars |
| Stories | Île d'Aix served as Napoleon’s last anchorage before his final exile in 1815 |
| Architectural style | Cylindrical masonry lighthouse tower |
| Construction material | Masonry |
| Focal height | 25 |
| Tower height | 15 |
| Heritage status | true |
| Access description | Accessible by ferry or private boat from Fouras or La Rochelle. |
| Landscape type | Coastal |
| View description | Sandy beaches and coastal paths offering views of the Pertuis d’Antioche and Fort Boyard |
| Facilities | Walking paths, Maritime museum in the former powder magazine, Tourist office |
| Nearby attractions | Fort de la Rade, Vauban fortifications, Maritime Museum of Île d'Aix, Sandy beaches and coastal paths |
| Light characteristic | Group-flashing white every 10-15 seconds (speculative) |
| Light range | 10 |