Gatteville Lighthouse (Phare de Gatteville)
About Gatteville Lighthouse (Phare de Gatteville)
The Phare de Gatteville stands 74.85 meters tall on the northeastern tip of the Cotentin Peninsula, making it the second tallest lighthouse in France and Europe. Built between 1829-1835 from 11,000 blocks of pink granite quarried nearby at Fermanville, the tower features 365 steps to the summit where two exterior viewing platforms offer panoramic views across the English Channel and Val de Saire coastline. The lighthouse replaced an earlier 1775 tower that still stands alongside it, now serving as a naval signal station. A small museum at the base displays historical artifacts and explains the lighthouse's construction and the area's maritime history. Hours vary seasonally with shorter winter schedules and closures during high winds exceeding 50 km/h. The climb requires moderate fitness as the spiral staircase is narrow in places.
Interesting Facts
The architect Charles-Félix Morice de la Rue incorporated calendar symbolism into the design: 365 steps for days in a year, 52 windows for weeks, and 12 windows on the main façade for months. This intentional numerology was common in 19th-century lighthouse architecture as a way to make the structures more memorable.
In 1120, the waters near Gatteville claimed the Blanche-Nef (White Ship), killing Prince William Adelin, the only legitimate heir to King Henry I of England. The disaster changed European history, leading to a civil war over succession and ultimately the rise of the Plantagenet dynasty.
When completed in 1835, the Phare de Gatteville was the tallest lighthouse in the world. Its total weight is 7,400 tonnes, with walls measuring 4 meters thick at the base tapering to thinner walls at the top to withstand the harsh winds from the English Channel.
Planning Your Visit
Opening Hours
Ticket Prices
Lighthouse Visit
RecommendedClimb 365 steps to the top. Youth 13-18 and students pay €3.00. Groups of 20+ pay €2.50 per person. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Location & Practical Info
Address
25c Route du Phare, 50760 Gatteville-le-Phare, France
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