Phare Saint-Nicolas
HW68+VH Le Verdon-sur-Mer, France
Name and Location
The Phare Saint-Nicolas is a small lighthouse located in Le Verdon-sur-Mer, Gironde, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France. Its address is Allée Brémontier, 33123 Le Verdon-sur-Mer, Gironde, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France.
Construction and History
The construction date or original architect of the Phare Saint-Nicolas are unknown. Its simple design suggests it was built in the 20th century, likely post-World War II, to guide vessels through the Gironde estuary.
Architecture and Materials
The lighthouse is a white, square concrete tower with no lantern room. It stands at a height of 12.9 meters (tower) and has a focal plane of 22 meters above mean sea level.
Light and Navigation
The Phare Saint-Nicolas functions as a front light, guiding vessels through a narrow sector at the mouth of the Gironde estuary. Its light characteristic is Quick flashing green (Q G), visible only between bearings 061.5° – 064.5° (intensified visibility). The range is 16 nautical miles.
Accessibility and Visiting
The site is publicly visible, but the tower is fenced and not open for interior visits. Visitors can reach the site by car or bicycle via departmental D218 road from Le Verdon; a short footpath leads through dunes to the tower. Nearby amenities include beach parking, picnic spots, and local markets.
Notable Views and Landscape
From the base of Phare Saint-Nicolas, one has a direct view westward over the sands of the Atlantic beach and eastward across the entrance channel of the Gironde estuary. Behind the tower, maritime pines and dune grasses typical of the Médoc coastline stretch inland.
Anecdotes and Folklore
No notable anecdotes or folklore are associated with the Phare Saint-Nicolas.
Technical and Operational Details
The lighthouse is automated and not staffed by a resident keeper. Its technical details are drawn from official ANFR/OSM records.
Further Information
For further information, consult Agence Nationale des Fréquences (ANFR), OpenStreetMap relation way/192421345, Service Hydrographique et Océanographique de la Marine (SHOM) nautical charts, and Wikidata entry Q79996878.
Details
| Name | Phare Saint-Nicolas |
|---|---|
| City | Le Verdon-sur-Mer |
| Country | France |
| Coordinates | 45.5621331, -1.083548 |
| Stories | No definitive records of the construction date or original architect have been found in public sources. |
| Construction material | "concrete (or masonry)" |
| Focal height | 22 |
| Tower height | 12.9 |
| Heritage status | false |
| Access description | by car or bicycle via departmental D218 road from Le Verdon; a short footpath leads through dunes to the tower |
| Accessible | false |
| Parking | true |
| Landscape type | coastal dunes |
| View description | direct view westward over the sands of the Atlantic beach and eastward across the entrance channel of the Gironde estuary |
| Guided tours | false |
| Facilities | beach parking, picnic spots |
| Nearby attractions | ["Cordouan Lighthouse (Sea-borne 20 km off the coast)","Médoc vineyards and coastal trails","Estuary bird-watch in the Médoc Regional Natural Park"] |
| Light characteristic | "Q G" |
| Light range | 16 |
| Automated | true |