Name and Location

The Phare de la Pointe Saint-Martin, also known as the Biarritz Lighthouse, stands sentinel over the Grande Plage in Biarritz, on France's Atlantic coast. Its location is at 60 B Esplanade Elisabeth II, 64200 Biarritz, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France, with coordinates 43.493766° N, 1.553900° W.

Construction and History

The Phare de la Pointe Saint-Martin was constructed in the 19th century (start_date: C19) to guide vessels entering the port of Bayonne and to warn of the Pointe Saint-Martin reef. It was listed as a Monument historique on 6 November 2009 under France's Ministry of Culture.

Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse is a cylindrical masonry tower with a lantern and gallery, standing at 48 meters above its base. The exterior is whitewashed, with a red lantern roof. Traditional stone and masonry were used in its construction, typical of 19th-century French lighthouses. Access to the lantern platform is via 247 internal steps.

Light and Navigation

The focal plane of the light is at 73 meters above mean sea level. The light characteristic is two white flashes every 10 seconds (Fl(2) W 10s). The nominal range is 29 nautical miles, with an Admiralty / NGA reference of D 1410 (ref:FR:ANFR 509525). The lighthouse is fully automated and has no resident keepers.

Accessibility and Visiting

The Phare de la Pointe Saint-Martin serves as a tourist attraction, viewpoint, and small interpretive center inside the tower. It is open to visitors from March to October on Saturdays and Sundays, with limited hours during public holidays, May-June, September, and July-August. Admission fees apply.

Notable Views and Landscape

From the gallery, visitors enjoy 360° views over the sweeping Grande Plage and its breakers, a world-famous surfing beach. The rocky Pointe Saint-Martin and its coastal cliffs are also visible, as well as the cityscape of Biarritz with its Belle Époque villas.

Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse has no notable anecdotes or folklore associated with it.