Name and Location

Phare de La Croix, also known as The Croix Lighthouse, marks the eastern side of the entrance to the port of Concarneau in Finistère, Brittany, France. Its official address is 1848 Quai de la Croix, 29900 Concarneau, France.

2. Construction and History

The exact date of construction for Phare de La Croix is unknown, but it likely dates from the late 19th to early 20th century. The lighthouse appears on cadastre maps updated in 2011. Despite efforts to document its architect or builder, no information is available.

3. Architecture and Materials

Phare de La Croix is a small harbour lighthouse with a utilitarian cast-iron or metal-plated skeletal tower, painted white with a contrasting lantern. The height of the tower is not officially recorded but visually estimated at 6–8 m above the base of the quay.

4. Light and Navigation

The light type is fixed or flashing beacon (precise characteristic not published in open cadastre data). The range of the lighthouse is likely around 3-5 nautical miles, designed for harbour entrance use. It is presumed to be fully automated and unmanned, consistent with small French harbour lights.

5. Accessibility and Visiting

The lighthouse stands on the town quay and is freely visible from the waterfront. However, the tower itself is not open to visitors. Access to the area is available on foot via Quai de la Croix, adjacent to the historic “Ville Close” fortified island; parking and pedestrian paths connect from central Concarneau.

6. Notable Views and Landscape

Phare de La Croix offers panoramic views of fishing boats, marina, and across the estuary to the town walls. The surrounding landscape features Ville Close de Concarneau, a well-preserved medieval walled town, and Musée de la Pêche, a museum of fishing heritage located nearby.

7. Anecdotes and Folklore

No anecdotes or folklore are available for Phare de La Croix.

8. Technical and Operational Details

Phare de La Croix is managed by the French “Service des phares et balises” (Maritime Affairs, North-Atlantic region) and forms part of Concarneau’s historic maritime ensemble. The lighthouse function is still active as a navigational aid under French maritime authorities.

9. Further Information

For more information, visit OpenStreetMap way/118445466 (https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/118445466), Wikidata Q3378465 entry for basic administrative data, and the French cadastre-DGI map data (2011).