Name and Location

Phare du Cap Camarat is a 19th-century coastal lighthouse located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region of southern France. The exact address is 6 Route de Camarat, 83350 Ramatuelle, Var, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, France. Its coordinates are 43°12′03.4″ N, 6°40′28.2″ E.

Construction and History

The lighthouse was constructed in the mid-19th century as a typical functional lighthouse of the period. It is listed as a Monument Historique since September 2012 (ref. PA83000027) under the authority of the Ministère de la Culture. The original keepers are not well-documented, but it is known that the lighthouse was staffed by keepers in its early years.

Architecture and Materials

The tower is a cylindrical masonry structure made from local limestone, standing 25 meters above the base. It has a one-storey keeper's house attached to the side, now unoccupied. The tower is painted white, with a cast-iron lantern room at the top.

Light and Navigation

The lighthouse emits a group of three white flashes every 15 seconds (Fl (3) W 15s), visible for approximately 25–27 nautical miles (c. 45 km). It is powered by electricity, replacing an earlier oil-fired lamp. The lighthouse has been fully automated since unknown date.

Accessibility and Visiting

The site can be reached on foot via a coastal path from Ramatuelle. However, the tower interior is closed to visitors. There is limited roadside parking at the end of Route de Camarat. A marked trail along the Cap offers panoramic viewpoints and access to former military installations.

Notable Views and Landscape

The surrounding landscape features rugged coastal scrubland (garrigue) with juniper and rockrose, as well as dramatic sea cliffs and clear blue waters. Nearby attractions include Plage de l’Escalet and Plage de Pampelonne beaches, Fort de Brégançon, and Massif des Maures hiking trails.

Anecdotes and Folklore

Locals claim that on stormy nights the beam can be seen sweeping the horizon as far as Cap Taillat to the west and Porquerolles Island to the east.

Technical and Operational Details

The managing authority is Service des Phares et Balises, Ministère de la Mer. The lighthouse is listed in the French Directorate of Maritime Affairs (ANFR) reference FR:ANFR 1483214.

Further Information

For further reading, please refer to Wikimedia France article, Base Mérimée, IGN Geoportal, and SHOM chart 6724, edition 2020.