Name and Location

The Vieux Môle Lighthouse, also known as Phare du Vieux Môle, is located at 3 Quai du Vieux Môle, 44600 Saint-Nazaire, Loire-Atlantique, Pays de la Loire, France. The coordinates are 47°16′16.6″ N, 2°11′47.1″ W.

Construction and History

The exact date of original construction is unknown, but it likely dates from the late 19th or early 20th century. The structure appears on the French cadastre (Direction Générale des Impôts) update of 2011. There are no recorded major refurbishments or events such as shipwrecks or wartime damage.

Architecture and Materials

The Vieux Môle Lighthouse is a small harbour light with a utilitarian style, consisting of a concrete or masonry base supporting a metal lantern housing. The structure is set on the breakwater's concrete base, directly exposed to tides and estuarine weather.

Light and Navigation

The lighthouse serves as a vital navigation aid for vessels maneuvering in and out of Saint-Nazaire’s docks. Its light characteristic is not officially published, but it likely consists of a fixed or occulting white/green light used for pierheads. The range is presumed to be 3-5 nautical miles.

Accessibility and Visiting

The lighthouse is freely accessible on foot via the Quai du Vieux Môle. However, visitors should beware of tides and sloping surfaces. There are no interior facilities or public access to the lantern housing.

Notable Views and Landscape

From the vantage point of the Vieux Môle Lighthouse, one can enjoy panoramic views over the Loire estuary, shipyards of Saint-Nazaire, and the La Milde channel entrance light to the west. The surrounding landscape features industrial docks, cranes, cargo berths, and a passenger terminal.

Further Information

For further information on the Vieux Môle Lighthouse, please refer to the OpenStreetMap entry (way/101589345), the French Cadastre DGI (2011), the Grand Port Maritime de Nantes–Saint-Nazaire official website, or GeoNames.