Name and Location

The Phare de Ouistreham is an operational maritime beacon located at the mouth of the Caen–Ouistreham Canal on the English Channel coast of Normandy, France. The exact location is 8 Rue Paul-Emile Victor, 14150 Ouistreham, Calvados, Normandy, France, with coordinates 49°16′47.64″ N, 0°14′52.0″ W (49.2799007, –0.2478881).

2. Construction and History

The Phare de Ouistreham was constructed between 1905 and completed in the same year. It was built to replace earlier leading lights that guided vessels through shifting sands at the canal entrance. The lighthouse survived both world wars with only minor damage, and its lantern was updated mid-20th century with modern optics and electrification.

3. Architecture and Materials

The Phare de Ouistreham is a cylindrical masonry tower with a balcony and lantern. It stands 38 meters tall and is made of stone or brick covered with a protective white render typical of the region. The tower rises from a single-storey keeper’s house, now closed to the public, and is topped by a red-roofed lantern.

4. Light and Navigation

The Phare de Ouistreham's light source is electrified optic (automated). The range, focal height, and characteristic of the light are not publicly documented, but mariners should consult official French nautical publications and Notices to Mariners for current navigation details. The lighthouse is managed by Agence Nationale des Fréquences (ANFR), ref. FR:ANFR 6074.

5. Accessibility and Visiting

The tower and former keeper’s quarters are not open to the public. However, visitors can enjoy the best vantage points from the public promenade along Rue Paul-Emile Victor, the beach, and the canal quayside. Nearby attractions include Omaha Beach and Sword Beach landing sites and museum, Musée du Mur de l’Atlantique (Atlantic Wall museum), Port of Ouistreham, and local seafood restaurants.

6. Notable Views and Landscape

Visitors can enjoy stunning views of the English Channel coast from various vantage points around the Phare de Ouistreham.

7. Anecdotes and Folklore

None available.

8. Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse is fully automated, with no resident keepers since the mid-20th century. It appears on Wikimedia Commons under “Category:Ouistreham lighthouse” and is listed in the ANFR 2019 lighthouse registry.

9. Further Information

For more information, consult Agence Nationale des Fréquences (ANFR) registry, entry 6074, French Wikipedia, and OpenStreetMap data (way/107457075).