Name and Location

The Phare des Sablons, also known as Tour-tan an Traezh in Breton, is a modern small harbour-entrance lighthouse located on the Pointe des Sablons in the Saint-Servan quarter of Saint-Malo, Brittany, France. Its official address is 22 Place Monseigneur Duchesne, and its coordinates are 48°38′09.9″ N, 2°01′18. (48.6360908 N, –2.021714 E).

Construction and History

The Phare des Sablons was erected at an unknown date in the past, but its exact construction date is not available in public records. The tower stands five storeys tall and is made of traditional local stone or concrete render, typical for Brittany coastal aids.

Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse has a height of 20 meters above ground level and features a slate roof with a four-sided pyramidal cap. Its architectural style reflects late-19th/early-20th-century harbour lights, with a functional utilitarian design.

Light and Navigation

The Phare des Sablons is classified as a "Lower" (harbour-entrance) beacon, emitting a fixed green light (F G) continuously for 24 hours. Its focal height is 20 meters above high water, with a nominal range of 22 nautical miles. The lighthouse sector is visible from 127.2° to 130.2° true bearing.

Accessibility and Visiting

The tower itself is not open to visitors, but the exterior and lantern platform are fenced for safety reasons. Visitors can access the area through public transportation or parking available nearby on Place Monseigneur Duchesne. There are no visitor facilities on-site, but cafes and restaurants are within 200 meters in Saint-Servan.

Notable Views and Landscape

The lighthouse overlooks the Rance estuary entrance and the tidal flats toward the Côtes d’Armor. At low tide, extensive sandbanks are revealed. The surrounding area features nearby attractions such as Fort National, Grand Bé island, and the Saint-Servan esplanade and seaside promenade.

Anecdotes and Folklore

According to local legend, during the great storms of the late 19th century, keepers once sheltered townsfolk in the tower base. Although this remains an oral tradition without written documentation, it adds a touch of nostalgia and charm to the lighthouse's history.

Technical and Operational Details

The Phare des Sablons is fully automated and monitored remotely by the Direction des Phares et Balises (French Lighthouse Authority). It features an AIS station (MMSI 992271312) installed at the tower base, transmitting vessel-traffic information.

Further Information

For more information, please consult the SHOM charts of Saint-Malo harbour, international sailing directions, or the French Wikipedia entry "Phare des Sablons".