Phare du Titan

The Phare du Titan, also known as Le Titan, is a historic lighthouse located on the French Riviera.

History

• The construction of the Phare du Titan began in 1858 and was completed in 1860 by the French Navy.
• The tower's original purpose was to serve as a navigational aid for ships navigating the busy shipping lanes between Marseille and Genoa.

Architecture

The Phare du Titan is a 70-meter-tall (230 ft) stone tower with a distinctive octagonal shape, characteristic of many French lighthouses from this period.

The structure's architecture is typical of 19th-century French naval engineering, featuring a sturdy foundation, a spiral staircase, and a lantern room at the top.

Light Characteristics

• The Phare du Titan emits a powerful beam of white light with a range of 28 nautical miles (52 km).
• The light's period is 5 seconds, and it operates on a rotating sector that covers an angle of 154° to 44°.

Current Status

The Phare du Titan remains an active aid to navigation, although its role has diminished with the advent of modern electronic navigation aids.

The lighthouse is still maintained by the French Navy and continues to serve as a vital reference point for mariners.

Location and Accessibility

Located in Hyères, France, the Phare du Titan is situated on a rocky outcropping overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

Access to the tower is restricted due to its military nature, with visitors only allowed to enter under special permission from the French Navy.

Heritage Status

The Phare du Titan has been designated as a historic monument by the French government, recognizing its importance in the country's maritime heritage.

The lighthouse is also listed on the National Inventory of Historic Monuments (Inventaire des Monuments Historiques).

Notable Historical Events

• During World War II, the Phare du Titan played a significant role as a strategic military installation for the French Navy.
• In 1944, Allied forces captured the lighthouse, and it was subsequently used as an observation post to monitor German naval movements in the region.

Coordinates: 43.0465466° N, 6.510236° E