Name and Location

The Phare de l��Île Royale, also known as the Île Royale Lighthouse, marks the approach to Cayenne Harbor on the Atlantic coast of French Guiana. Located on a small islet called Île Royale, it stands at coordinates 5°17′13″ N, 52°35′31″ W.

Construction and History

The exact date of the lighthouse's construction is unknown, but it is believed to have been built in the early to mid-20th century. The current tower was erected sometime after that, with no definitive record found in available sources. There is no official heritage status listed for the lighthouse.

Architecture and Materials

The Phare de l’��le Royale has a cylindrical "special-purpose" beacon tower, measuring 29 meters in height. It is painted red overall. The construction materials are not documented, but typical regional lighthouses use reinforced concrete or masonry. The architectural style is utilitarian 20th-century navigational.

Light and Navigation

The light emitted by the Phare de l’Île Royale has a range of 25 nautical miles. It is characterized as two white flashes every six seconds (Fl 2 W 6s). The focal height is 65 meters above mean sea level. The light is fully automated and unmanned.

Accessibility and Visiting

The lighthouse is situated on a small islet, making it inaccessible by public ferry service. The nearest access point is the Héliport on Île Royale (plus-code 7CP5+R6). Public entry to the island is not possible; instead, visitors can best view the lighthouse from a small private boat or helicopter approach.

Notable Views and Landscape

The Phare de l’Île Royale stands amidst a low-lying mangrove landscape at the mouth of the Cayenne River. The surrounding area features tidal flats and shoals, with dense tropical vegetation and nearby tidal creeks rich in birdlife and crustaceans.

Anecdotes and Folklore

There are no specific local legends recorded about this lighthouse. No published accounts of former keepers have been found; it is likely that the station was decommissioned as a manned station in the late 20th century.

Technical and Operational Details

The Phare de l’��le Royale has an NGA chart reference of Pub. 110, chart J 6894. It is managed by the Service hydrographique et océanographique de la Marine (SHOM), France.

Further Information

For more information, visit the SHOM website (service-public.fr/shom) for Notices to Mariners and chart updates. The US NGA Pub. 110: List of Lights, Radio Aids, and Fog Signals, 2024 is also a useful reference.