Name and Location

Phare du Prêcheur, also known as Prêcheur Point Lighthouse, is an active coastal lighthouse located on the northwest coast of Martinique (French West Indies). It marks Prêcheur Point and guides vessels through the northern approach to Saint-Pierre and the outer Caribbean Sea.

Construction and History

The Phare du Prêcheur was erected in the early 20th century, with an exact construction date not recorded. The lighthouse stands approximately 200 meters east of the village center along a local road (Route du Prêcheur). It is listed as a Monument historique (inscription date 16 December 2013, ref. PA97200032) and remains under the authority of the French maritime administration.

Architecture and Materials

The Phare du Prêcheur features an utilitarian design typical of French colonial lighthouse engineering. The tower rises from a single-storey base and is constructed using masonry or reinforced concrete, finished with white paint. The tower height is 12 meters above the base, with a focal height of 22 meters above mean sea level.

Light and Navigation

The Phare du Prêcheur emits one red flash every five seconds (Fl R 5s), visible from bearings 338° to 162°. It has an admiralty number (J5790.50) and an NGA number (111-14996). The range of the light is approximately 15 nautical miles.

Accessibility and Visiting

The Phare du Prêcheur remains an operational aid to navigation, but it is not open to the public for interior visits. The tower can be photographed from the coastal road or nearby footpath, but there is no visitor center or on-site museum. Public access is limited to the grounds only, with the tower locked.

Notable Views and Landscape

Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the Caravelle Peninsula and offshore reefs. Nearby attractions include Anse Couleuvre beach, Petite Anse, and hiking trails leading into the forested interior. The ruins of the 1902 Saint-Pierre volcanic disaster lie approximately 15 kilometers south.

Technical and Operational Details

The Phare du Prêcheur is fully automated and has no resident keepers since the late 20th century. It is managed by the Service des Phares et Balises, Direction des Affaires Maritimes de la Martinique.

Further Information

• French Wikipedia
• Wikidata
• Cadastre DGI / OSM way/125350582
• Ministère de la Culture (data.gouv.fr): PA97200032
• Admiralty List of Lights volume J, entry J5790.50
• Nautical charts include SHOM 7119 (Martinique North Coast) and UKHO Admiralty Chart J5790