Name and Location

The Phare de la Balue, also known as "La Ballue," is a coastal navigation light marking a narrow sector off Saint-Malo in Brittany, France. The lighthouse sits on rocky outcrops near the entrance to the Rance estuary, just northeast of Saint-Malo's urban center. Its official address is 13 Rue Doutreleau, 35400 Saint-Malo, Ille-et-Vilaine, Brittany.

2. Construction and History

The exact date of construction for the Phare de la Balue is not publicly documented. The lighthouse is fully automated and unmanned, with no formal listing in the Mérimée database (not classified as Monument historique). It is managed by the French "Service des phares et balises" under the Direction des Affaires Maritimes.

3. Architecture and Materials

The tower form and materials are likely a cylindrical or tapered concrete tower, although specifics have not been documented publicly. The color scheme is white, a standard for this coast. The height of the lighthouse is not officially recorded, but its focal plane lies at 69 meters above mean high water.

4. Light and Navigation

The Phare de la Balue exhibits a fixed green light (F G) continuously in a narrow sector from 128° T to 129°30′ T ("intensified 128° – 129°30′"). The range is 25 nautical miles, with a focal height of 69 meters above sea level. It has an official light reference number (A 1686.1) and is a seamark type light_major, category "upper" sector light.

5. Accessibility and Visiting

6. Notable Views and Landscape

The Phare de la Balue sits atop rugged coastal rocks with panoramic views of the English Channel, the Fort National, and the walled city of Saint-Malo. The nearby waters feature tidal flats and strong currents, making this sector light crucial for marking a dangerous shoal area.

8. Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse has an AIS installation (Category "AIS" radio station, MMSI 992271313) and is listed in the US NGA Pub. 114 "List of Lights, Radio Aids and Fog Signals." It appears on French SHOM charts (No. 7130 – Baie du Mont Saint-Michel), UK Admiralty chart (No. 1063 – Brittany North Coast), and US NGA List of Lights (NGA 1686.1).