Port of Figueirette Lighthouse
Avenue de Miramar, Port of Figueirette, 7 Av. du Trayas, 06590 Théoule-sur-Mer, France
Name and Location
The Port of Figueirette Lighthouse is situated at the entrance to the small marina of Figueirette in Théoule-sur-Mer on the French Riviera. Its official address is Avenue de Miramar, Port of Figueirette, 7 Avenue du Trayas, 06590 Théoule-sur-Mer, Alpes-Maritimes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, France.
Construction and History
The exact construction era of the lighthouse is undocumented, but it is likely to have been built in the mid-20th century. There are no surviving archival records to confirm this. The managing authority for the lighthouse is the Harbour master of Port de Figueirette (Ville de Théoule-sur-Mer).
Architecture and Materials
The structure is a small monolithic tower, likely cast-in-place concrete with a painted exterior (white with a red gallery band). Its height is estimated to be 4-6 meters above base. The focal height is unpublished.
Light and Navigation
The light range and characteristic of the lighthouse are not documented in major nautical publications. It is presumed to have a low-power fixed or flashing white sector light used for marina entrance guidance.
Accessibility and Visiting
The tower itself is closed to visitors, but they may walk along the breakwater and enjoy local views. There is no on-site staff, and the lighthouse is fully automated with mains electricity (harbour grid) and backup battery system (standard for modern beacons).
Notable Views and Landscape
Visitors can enjoy panoramic vistas of the Esterel massif to the west, the bay of Théoule-sur-Mer to the north, and the Mediterranean horizon to the south. The red cliffs of the Corniche d’Or provide a striking backdrop.
Anecdotes and Folklore
Although lacking romantic lore, the Port of Figueirette lighthouse plays an important role in the daily life of Théoule-sur-Mer’s boating community. On clear summer evenings, local skippers relay signals by horn and light to choreograph safe entry when the beachside promenades are crowded with sightseers.
Technical and Operational Details
The lighthouse is not charted as a coastal light of high importance but appears on regional pilot charts for small craft. It serves local recreational and fishing vessels, serving them with low-intensity and sector coverage optimized for close-range guidance.
Further Information
- * OpenStreetMap “way/85886841” (man_made=lighthouse): https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/85886841
- * SHOM Nautical Chart 3602 “Côte d’Azur – Port de la Figueirette”
- * Ville de Théoule-sur-Mer, Port Authority website (for opening hours and harbour regulations)
Details
| Name | Port of Figueirette Lighthouse |
|---|---|
| City | Théoule-sur-Mer |
| Country | France |
| Coordinates | 43.4831197, 6.9332527 |
| Stories | on clear summer evenings, local skippers relay signals by horn and light to choreograph safe entry when the beachside promenades are crowded with sightseers |
| Architectural style | cast-in-place concrete with painted exterior |
| Construction material | "cast-in-place concrete with painted exterior" |
| Tower height | 4.5 |
| Access description | From Théoule-sur-Mer center, take Avenue du Trayas eastward toward the sea. Public parking is available near the port gate. A short stroll along the breakwater leads to the lighthouse. |
| Accessible | true |
| Parking | true |
| Landscape type | rocky coast |
| View description | Panoramic vista of the Esterel massif to the west, the bay of Théoule-sur-Mer to the north, and the Mediterranean horizon to the south. The red cliffs of the Corniche d’Or provide a striking backdrop. |
| Guided tours | false |
| Facilities | toilets, café, gift shop |
| Nearby attractions | ["Plage du Port","coastal hiking on the Sentier du Littoral","boat tours to Îles de Lérins","local seaside restaurants and cafés"] |
| AIS Radar | false |
| Light characteristic | "fixed or flashing white sector light" |
| Automated | true |