The Cordouan Lighthouse is one of France's most impressive and historically significant lighthouses, standing as a testament to maritime signalling and architectural innovation.

Overview

Located in Le Verdon-sur-Mer, France, the Cordouan Lighthouse is situated at the mouth of the Gironde estuary in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. This prominent structure has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2021.

History

Built in the 16th and 17th centuries by engineer Louis de Foix, the lighthouse underwent significant modifications in the late 18th century under engineer Joseph Teulère's guidance. According to UNESCO, the Cordouan Lighthouse embodies the great stages of maritime signalling architecture, drawing inspiration from ancient models, Renaissance Mannerism, and France’s engineering school École des Ponts et Chaussées.

Technical Specifications

Unfortunately, no specific details about the technical specifications of the lighthouse are available.

Location

The Cordouan Lighthouse is situated in Le Verdon-sur-Mer, France, with coordinates 45.5863055556, -1.1733333333.

Maritime Significance

As a masterpiece of maritime signalling, the Cordouan Lighthouse played an important role as both a territorial marker and an instrument of safety during periods of renewed navigation. Its design and construction epitomized the art of building lighthouses in the 18th century.

Current Status

Unfortunately, no specific details about the current status of the lighthouse are available.

Heritage Status

Listed on the National Register by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 2021, the Cordouan Lighthouse is recognized for its significance in maritime signalling architecture and its contribution to the engineering history of France's École des Ponts et Chaussées.

Visiting Information

Unfortunately, no specific details about visiting information are available.