Name and Location

Sémaphore de Barfleur is an active maritime traffic-control station located on the Pointe de Barfleur, in the commune of Gatteville-le-Phare (Manche), Normandy, France. The station's address is 27 Route du Phare, 50760 Gatteville-le-Phare, France. Its coordinates are 49.69694 N, –1.26556 W.

Construction and History

The Sémaphore de Barfleur was constructed in the late 19th century as part of France's coastal semaphore network, established after 1860 to improve safety and coordination of maritime traffic. Although the exact year of construction is not documented, it has continuously monitored the busy traffic lanes between the Channel Islands and continental ports.

Architecture and Materials

The station features a functional, military-inspired design common to French Navy semaphore stations of the Third Republic. The building is likely constructed using locally quarried stone or brick, finished in white render; steep slate-covered roof. It consists of two-to-three-storey building (observer's quarters and signal room), with a flat-roofed signal platform originally equipped for flag semaphore and night lanterns.

Light and Navigation

The Sémaphore de Barfleur is not a lighted aid to navigation. Instead, it focuses on vessel traffic services (VTS) and coastal safety. The station has been modernized in the late 20th century and is now remotely monitored and controlled with a small on-site team of civilian maritime agents.

Accessibility and Visiting

The interior of the station is closed to casual visitors for security and operational reasons. However, external viewpoints are available from a small parking area and information panels located along Route du Phare. Visitors can also walk the coastal path for a panoramic outlook on the Channel.

Notable Views and Landscape

From the Sémaphore de Barfleur, one can overlook the eastern approaches to the Raz Blanchard, Alderney, the Îles Saint-Marcouf, and Île de Tatihou. On clear days, the cliffs of Cap de la Hague may be visible to the north. The surrounding landscape features chalk cliffs, maritime heath, and beach corridors.

Anecdotes and Folklore

Some local fishermen claim that on stormy nights the original lantern platform was briefly relit by keepers to guide small craft into the lee of the Point. However, this remains unverified in official records.

Technical and Operational Details

The station is managed by the French Ministry of the Sea (Ministère de la Mer), through local Direction Départementale des Territoires et de la Mer (DDTM Manche) and the French Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (CMR). It uses radar, Automatic Identification System (AIS), VHF radio communications, and weather observation to monitor vessel traffic.

Further Information

For further information on the Sémaphore de Barfleur, please visit the French Wikipedia page or consult official sources such as SHOM (Service Hydrographique et Océanographique de la Marine) chart 7110 "Côte de la Manche – Granville à Paimpol" and UKHO Admiralty chart 2191 "Channel Islands to Bay of Seine".