Les Onglous lighthouse, Lighthouse in Marseillan, France
The Phare des Onglous is a lighthouse in Marseillan, southern France, standing at the end of the Canal du Midi where it opens into the Étang de Thau. It is a plain cylindrical white tower with a red lantern, set on a small jetty surrounded by reeds.
Before the current lighthouse, a small white stone pyramid stood on the jetty to guide boats toward the canal entrance. The present tower was built in 1850, replacing an ambitious 1759 design that was never carried out because it was too costly.
The Phare des Onglous marks the spot where the fresh water of the Canal du Midi meets the salt water of the Étang de Thau. For sailors traveling this route, it is a familiar reference point at the end of a long waterway.
The lighthouse can be reached on foot or by bike along a gravel path called the Promenade de la Belle-Scribote, starting from the port of Marseillan. There are no facilities on site, so it is best to bring water and something to eat, especially in summer.
The lighthouse is part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing of the Canal du Midi, meaning this simple entrance marker is under international protection. Its light flashes every 6 seconds and appears either white or red depending on the angle of approach, signaling to skippers whether they are in safe water.
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