Name and Location

The Phare de la Potence is a historic lighthouse located in Les Sables-d'Olonne, a coastal town in the Vendée department of western France.

Construction and History

Built in 1874, this iconic tower has played a crucial role in maritime navigation for over 140 years. Its original purpose was to guide mariners into the port of Les Sables-d'Olonne and provide a beacon for vessels navigating the surrounding waters.

Architecture and Materials

The Phare de la Potence is a white tower with a height of approximately 33 meters (108 feet).

Light and Navigation

The lighthouse serves as a support structure for the light, which exhibits a characteristic period of four seconds and has a range of 16 nautical miles. In addition to its role as a navigational aid, the Phare de la Potence also functions as an AIS (Automatic Identification System) radio station, with the MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity) number 992271024.

Accessibility and Visiting

No information available on accessibility or visiting.

Notable Views and Landscape

No information available on notable views or landscape.

Anecdotes and Folklore

No anecdotes or folklore available.

Technical and Operational Details

The Phare de la Potence was constructed in 1874, making it one of the oldest lighthouses on the French coast. Its geographic coordinates are -1.7704406° longitude and 46.4929245° latitude.

Further Information

• Admiralty chart reference: D1207.10
• Aladin reference: 8500151
• MHS (Maritime Heritage Society) reference: IA85000531
• NGA (National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency) reference: 113-1200