Name and Location

The Phare de Ver-sur-Mer, also known as the Lighthouse of Pointe de Ver, is located at 4 Rue du Pavillon, 14114 Ver-sur-Mer, Calvados, Normandy, France. The coordinates are 49°20′24″ N, 0°31′8″ W.

Construction and History

The lighthouse was built in the mid-20th century to replace an earlier wartime-damaged light installation following the 1944 Normandy landings. It has been listed in the Inventaire général du patrimoine culturel for its role in post-war navigation and rebuilding of the Normandy coast.

Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse is a functional modernist structure, designed by an unknown architect. The tower is made of reinforced concrete with horizontal grey and white bands. It stands 15.85 meters above ground level, with a focal height of 42 meters above mean sea level, set on a natural cliff of roughly 25 meters.

Light and Navigation

The light characteristic is Fl (3) W 15 s, with a sequence of flash 0.2 s + pause 2.8 s + flash 0.2 s + pause 2.8 s + flash 0.2 s + pause 8.8 s. The range is 26 nautical miles, with a white sector covering full 360°. The lamp is a modern LED beacon within a sealed lantern room.

Accessibility and Visiting

The grounds are open year-round, but the tower is closed to visitors. To reach the lighthouse, follow D514 from Courseulles-sur-Mer toward Ver-sur-Mer; free roadside parking is available at Rue du Pavillon. There are no onsite visitor facilities.

Notable Views and Landscape

From this vantage point, you can enjoy panoramic views north to the English Channel, east to Gold and Juno beaches, west to Omaha Beach. The adjacent coastal footpath links Ver-sur-Mer to neighboring seaside villages. Nearby memorials and museums include the Overlord Museum (Colleville-sur-Mer), British Normandy Memorial, local D-Day cemeteries.

Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse is fully automated since commissioning and powered by a solar-backed mains power supply. It is equipped with an AIS transponder (Maritime Mobile Service Identity) monitored by the French Service des Phares et Balises.

For more information, please refer to Wikipedia (French): https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phare_de_Ver-sur-Mer; Wikidata: Q3378430; SHOM nautical chart A1396 (Normandy coast east of Ouistreham); and the Association Française de Sauvegarde des Phares et Balises regional brochure.