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Phare du Cap Blanc

phare du cap Bénat, Rte du Phare, 83230 Bormes-les-Mimosas, France

Name and Location

The Phare du Cap Blanc is a historic lighthouse located in Bormes-les-Mimosas, Var department, on the southwestern coast of France.

Construction and History

The Phare du Cap Blanc was built in 1854 to replace an earlier lighthouse that had become obsolete due to changes in shipping routes and technology. It serves as a vital aid to navigation for mariners traversing the Mediterranean Sea.

Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse stands at an impressive 60 meters (197 feet) tall, with a red-and-white striped tower that can be seen from afar. The structure is made of stone and features a distinctive octagonal shape, characteristic of many French lighthouses.

Light and Navigation

The light source is a rotating beacon, emitting a red light every 5 seconds, visible up to 21 nautical miles (39 kilometers) away. Its unique combination of height, color, and rotation pattern makes it easily distinguishable from other nearby lighthouses. The light's sequence is 0.2 seconds on, followed by 4.8 seconds off, making it a reliable marker for mariners.

Accessibility and Visiting

No information available.

Notable Views and Landscape

No information available.

Anecdotes and Folklore

No anecdotes or folklore are currently known about the Phare du Cap Blanc.

Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse serves as a major aid to navigation for ships and boats navigating the Mediterranean Sea. Its light sequence is 0.2 seconds on, followed by 4.8 seconds off, making it a reliable marker for mariners.

Further Information

References: United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (US NGA), Publication 113, October 22, 2010; Wikidata: Q3378553

Details

NamePhare du Cap Blanc
CityBormes-les-Mimosas
CountryFrance
Coordinates43.0885338, 6.362861
Year of construction1854
EventsUnited States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (US NGA), Publication 113, October 22, 2010.
Historic significancevital aid to navigation for mariners traversing the Mediterranean Sea
Storiesshipwrecks; rescues
Architectural styleoctagonal shape, characteristic of many French lighthouses
Construction material"stone"
Focal height39
Tower height60
Landscape typerocky coast, dunes, island
Facilitiestoilets, café, gift shop
Light characteristic"Fl(3)W.15s"
Light range21
Automatedfalse