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Antibes Port Vauban Lighthouse

H4QJ+J2 Antibes, France

Name and Location

The Antibes Port Vauban Lighthouse stands at the head of the western mole (jetty) of Port Vauban in Antibes, France's Côte d'Azur. Its coordinates are 43 °35′20″ N, 7 ��07′48�� E.

2. Construction and History

The lighthouse is believed to have been erected in the late 20th century to replace an earlier navigational light on the same mole. Official archival records for this small harbour beacon are sparse, with no formal name or construction date appearing in the French national inventory of lighthouses.

3. Architecture and Materials

The structure consists of a slender cylindrical tower mounted on a concrete caisson foundation, estimated to be 6-8 meters tall above its base. The exact material used for the tower's cladding is not documented, but it may be painted steel plates or fibreglass.

4. Light and Navigation

The lighthouse emits a green fixed or flashing light, marking the starboard side of the entrance to Port Vauban. Its range is limited to a few nautical miles, designed for port entry only. The beacon is fully automated and solar-powered.

5. Accessibility and Visiting

Visitors can walk out to the lighthouse but cannot enter the tower. The mole itself is open to pedestrians, offering panoramic views of the surrounding area. There are no visitor facilities or interpretive panels at the structure.

6. Notable Views and Landscape

From the head of the mole, visitors enjoy stunning views of hundreds of superyachts berthed in the port, as well as the historic ramparts of Antibes and the silhouette of Fort Carré to the north. The iconic Phare de la Garoupe on the peninsula's tip is also visible.

7. Anecdotes and Folklore

There are no notable anecdotes or folklore surrounding this lighthouse.

8. Technical and Operational Details

The managing authority for the lighthouse is Port Vauban (Antibes Harbour Authority). The structure is not listed as a historic monument or under any national "Monument historique" protection, being regarded as purely functional harbour infrastructure.

9. Further Information

For further information on Port Vauban and its surroundings, visit the official site at https://www.saintlaurentduvar.fr/port-vauban, OpenStreetMap entry at https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/129672219, or the Antibes tourism office at https://www.antibesjuanlespins.com/.

Details

NameAntibes Port Vauban Lighthouse
CityAntibes
CountryFrance
Coordinates43.5890445, 7.1300324
Architectural styleslender cylindrical tower mounted on a concrete caisson foundation
Construction materialreinforced concrete base; tower clad in painted steel plates or fibreglass
Focal height8
Tower height6
Heritage statusfalse
Access descriptionWalk out to the light but cannot enter the tower
Accessibletrue
View descriptionPanoramic views of hundreds of superyachts berthed in the port, historic ramparts of Antibes and Fort Carré to the north, Cap d’Antibes with its villas and Phare de la Garoupe on the peninsula’s tip
Facilitiesno visitor centre or interpretive panels at the structure
Nearby attractionsMusée Picasso (Château Grimaldi), Old Town (Vieil Antibes) with its Provencal market and narrow medieval streets, Beach clubs and cafés lining Boulevard Albert I
AIS Radarfalse
Light characteristicgreen fixed or flashing light (marking the starboard side of the entrance)
Light rangea few nautical miles
Automatedtrue