Phare de la Canche, Lighthouse in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, France
The Phare de la Canche is a stone lighthouse on the Opal Coast near Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, standing about 187 feet (57 m) tall above the Canche estuary. It is listed as a historical monument and visitors can climb 274 steps to reach the top and look out over the surrounding coast.
As early as 1801, two small fires were lit in the dunes to guide ships, but they were not powerful enough for safe navigation. After the earlier towers were destroyed during the Second World War, the current lighthouse was designed by architect Louis Quételart and completed in 1949.
The name of the lighthouse comes from the Canche estuary, which it overlooks. A small exhibition in the former keeper's house tells the story of the navigation lights that guided sailors along this stretch of coast.
Visits are guided and require a reservation through the Le Touquet tourist office, as groups are limited to 18 people. The climb is not recommended for people with heart conditions, pregnant women, or children under 6.
Since 2001, the lighthouse has operated fully automatically, with its light rotating every ten seconds, and no keeper on site. It was built in stone, which gives it a look that feels far older than its post-war origins.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
