Name and Location

The Phare de Saint-Jean-de-Luz, also known as the "Feu aval" (lower light) of the port breakwater, is a small modern lighthouse marking the entrance to the fishing and pleasure-craft harbour of Saint-Jean-de-Luz on France's Basque coast. Its location is at the outer end of the western breakwater, directly opposite Ciboure across the mouth of the Nivelle River.

Address: Feu Aval de la Digue du Port, Quai de l'Infante, 64500 Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France

Geographic coordinates: 43.3875927 N, −1.6689236 E

Map link (OpenStreetMap): https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=43.3875927&mlon=-1.6689236&zoom=18&layers=M

Construction and History

The Phare de Saint-Jean-de-Luz was constructed in the latter half of the 20th century, likely as part of post-war harbour modernizations. Although no exact build date is available, cadastre data (2010) and ANFR records (updated 2019) confirm its existence.

Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse is a freestanding cylindrical tower on a concrete pier, standing 20 meters tall above the base. It is made of reinforced concrete with a metal lantern room, featuring an unpainted or plain-white concrete shaft with a contrasting lantern often dark green or metallic in color.

Light and Navigation

The Phare de Saint-Jean-de-Luz serves as the port's "low light" marking the breakwater head, working in conjunction with an inner range light or day-mark to guide vessels safely through the dredged channel into the harbour. The lighthouse's focal height is approximately 20 meters above mean sea level.

Accessibility and Visiting

The breakwater is open to pedestrians at low tide via the Quai de l'Infante walkway, but the tower itself is closed to the public. Access by foot from the town centre takes about 10 minutes along the harbour promenade. Visitor facilities are available in nearby cafes and boat-watching spots.

Notable Views and Landscape

From the quay and breakwater, you can enjoy panoramic views of the medieval town of Saint-Jean-de-Luz with its red-tiled roofs and Basque façades, the neighbouring commune of Ciboure and the Château d'Henri IV, the Pyrenean foothills, and the Atlantic horizon.

Anecdotes and Folklore

No anecdotes or folklore are available for this lighthouse.

Technical and Operational Details

The Phare de Saint-Jean-de-Luz is fully automated and remotely monitored by the Service des Phare et Balises (French Lighthouse Service). No on-site keeper is stationed.

Further Information

• ANFR "Bulletin des Feux de Phares" (France, annual editions)
• SHOM Nautical Chart 7127 "Bayonne–Biarritz"
• OpenStreetMap data: way/72481847 (https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/72481847)
• Cadastre DGI-France, mise à jour 2010
• Wikidata Q3378358