Cordouan Lighthouse, Renaissance lighthouse at Gironde estuary, France
Cordouan Lighthouse is a stone building at the Gironde estuary in France, standing roughly 67 meters above sea level. The tower rests on a rocky foundation and sends its signal across the water to guide ships into the wide mouth of the estuary.
Construction began in 1584 and took nearly three decades to finish during the reign of Henri IV. In 1823, the tower served as a testing ground for new optical technology that was later adopted around the world.
The name derives from the Latin word for rock, as the structure stands on a sandstone plateau in the middle of the water. Visitors today can climb the stairs and see how the rooms were once inhabited by the lighthouse keepers.
Access is by boat from Royan or Le Verdon-sur-Mer, with crossings dependent on tide schedules and usually running between April and October. Those wishing to climb the tower should be prepared for several floors of stairs and wear sturdy shoes.
A chapel with marble floors sits inside the tower and shows the religious importance once attached to the structure. Royal apartments in the upper section occasionally served as lodgings for high-ranking visitors who came to inspect the tower.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
