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
Name | Phare du Cap Blanc |
---|---|
City | Bormes-les-Mimosas |
Country | France |
Coordinates | 43.0885338, 6.362861 |
Year of construction | 1854 |
Events | United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (US NGA), Publication 113, October 22, 2010. |
Historic significance | vital aid to navigation for mariners traversing the Mediterranean Sea |
Stories | shipwrecks; rescues |
Architectural style | octagonal shape, characteristic of many French lighthouses |
Construction material | "stone" |
Focal height | 39 |
Tower height | 60 |
Landscape type | rocky coast, dunes, island |
Facilities | toilets, café, gift shop |
Light characteristic | "Fl(3)W.15s" |
Light range | 21 |
Automated | false |