Name and Location

The Phare de Saint-Gervais is an active coastal lighthouse located in Fos-sur-Mer, Bouches-du-Rhône department (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur), southern France. It marks the approach to the industrial port area on the Étang de Berre and guides vessels navigating the coastal waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

Construction and History

The Phare de Saint-Gervais was built for its original function, guiding ships into the Étang de Berre and the port of Fos-sur-Mer. Although the exact date of construction is not recorded, it was automated in the late 20th century. The lighthouse retains its original tower structure and lantern.

Architecture and Materials

The Phare de Saint-Gervais stands at a height of 51 meters, with a functional/industrial architectural style. The materials used for construction are likely reinforced concrete or masonry typical of early 20th-century French lighthouses, but this information is not specified.

Light and Navigation

The lighthouse is equipped with an active light, managed remotely by the French lighthouse authority (ANFR). No resident keeper is assigned to the site. The exact light range and characteristic are not publicly documented.

Accessibility and Visiting

Public access to the interior of the lighthouse is not available. The surrounding grounds lie within an industrial zone. Exterior viewing is possible from a roadside pull-off on Chemin du Douanier, with informal parking near industrial docks. Guided tours and facilities are not available.

Notable Views and Landscape

The Phare de Saint-Gervais offers dramatic sunsets over the lagoon, as well as a juxtaposition of industrial installations and natural salt pans. The surrounding landscape features an industrial port to the east, salt marshes and lagoons to the west, and an open Mediterranean horizon to the south.

Anecdotes and Folklore

Locally, mariners sometimes refer to it informally as "le Signal de Fos" (unverified).

Technical and Operational Details

The Phare de Saint-Gervais is managed remotely by ANFR and has been classified as a Monument historique since 21 June 2012. It is included in the national lighthouse register under reference FR:ANFR-933475.

Further Information

• Cadastre-dgi-fr (2011)
• ANFR (Agence Nationale des Fréquences), lighthouse register
• data.gouv.fr / Ministère de la Culture: "PA13000064 – Phare de Saint-Gervais"
• French Wikipedia: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phare_de_Saint-Gervais