Name and Location

The Phare du Port is a small harbour light located in Saint-Georges-de-Didonne on the Gironde estuary in France. Its address is 96 Rue du Port, 17110 Saint-Georges-de-Didonne, Charente-Maritime, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France. The lighthouse can be found at coordinates 45°35′53.4″ N, 1°00′28.9″ W (dec: 45.5981666, –1.0080244).

Construction and History

The Phare du Port was constructed in the 19th century and remains an active navigational aid. It has been a protected historic monument since May 23, 2011, under the French Ministry of Culture with reference number PA17000092.

Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse is a small masonry structure, typical of those built during the 19th century. Its form is simple cylindrical or tapered, with a lantern on top. The construction materials are likely to be local stone and brick, although exact dimensions are not publicly documented.

Light and Navigation

The Phare du Port functions as a harbour entrance light, guiding vessels into the port basin. While technical specifications such as tower height, light characteristic, range, and automation status are not publicly documented, it is presumed automated with no keeper on site.

Accessibility and Visiting

Visitors cannot access the lighthouse structure itself due to its closed status (access=no in OSM). However, public viewing points include the quay-side walkway, Boulevard de la Corniche, or Rue du Port. The nearest bus stops are located in central Saint-Georges-de-Didonne.

Notable Views and Landscape

The lighthouse is situated at the head of a stone and concrete jetty, offering views upriver towards Royan and down-estuary towards Le Verdon-sur-Mer. The surrounding landscape features coastal pine groves, sandy beaches (Plage de la Grande Côte), and marshlands of the Gironde.

Further Information

The managing authority is the Commune of Saint-Georges-de-Didonne in liaison with Service des Phares et Balises and Ministry of Culture. Official heritage records can be found at Base Mérimée (Ministry of Culture ID PA17000092) and data.gouv.fr – Ministère de la Culture (Heritage data, 04/2015).