Vieux Phare des Baleines

The Vieux Phare des Baleines is a 17th-century stone tower standing approximately 88 feet (27 meters) tall on the western tip of Île de Ré, serving as a maritime landmark and historic monument along the Atlantic coast.

Constructed between 1669 and 1682 under the direction of engineer Augier, this lighthouse guided vessels away from dangerous rocks and protected the military port of Rochefort until replaced by a taller structure in 1854.

Designated as a monument historique in 1904, the site includes a museum housed at the base of the tower, offering exhibits on maritime navigation, lighthouse technology, and the island's role in regional maritime safety over several centuries.

The site is open daily from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm in winter with extended summer hours, and admission tickets include access to both the lighthouse and museum, with combined passes available for nearby attractions.

The original lighting system relied on fish oil before transitioning to coal, with a metal lantern installed in 1736 by craftsman Joseph Laurent to improve the beacon's visibility across several nautical miles of open sea.

Location: Saint-Clément-des-Baleines

Inception: 1682

GPS coordinates: 46.24460,-1.56200

Latest update: December 1, 2025 11:03