Gatteville-le-Phare, commune in Manche, France
Description
Gatteville-le-Phare is a small commune in Normandy on the Manche coast. The village is dominated by an impressive lighthouse built from roughly 11,000 hand-cut granite blocks stacked into a solid cylindrical tower.
History
The lighthouse was built between 1829 and 1834 to guide ships through the English Channel and warn sailors of coastal dangers. Since its completion, it has continuously served as a navigation aid and remains operational today.
Culture
The village takes its name from the lighthouse that has defined its identity since the 19th century and remains central to local life. Residents maintain a deep connection to maritime heritage, visible in how they speak about their home and the role the tower plays in their daily surroundings.
Practical
Access to the lighthouse is via a long pier, with a stairway of 365 steps to the top that takes roughly ten minutes to climb. Strong winds or storms close the tower for safety reasons, making calm weather the best time to visit.
Did you know?
The lighthouse stands 75 meters tall, making it the second-highest in France, with its light beam visible from far across the water. From the observation platform at the summit, visitors overlook the Val de Saire and vast sea, creating a sense of standing at the edge of the world.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (canton of Saint-Pierre-Église).
New Gatteville Lighthouse
1.7 km
Château de Tocqueville
3.9 km
Saint Nicholas Church
2.3 km
Église Notre-Dame de Montfarville
3.7 km
Château du Tourps
4.9 km
Manoir de la Crasvillerie
5.7 km
Commanderie de Valcanville
5.7 km
Manoir du Broc
2 km
Maison d'Anneville
5.9 km
Manoir de Fontenay
6.1 km
Eglise paroissiale Saint-Pierre à Gatteville-le-Phare
54 m
Château de Janville
2.8 km
Manoir d'Arville
2.6 km
St. Martin's Church, Réthoville
5.5 km
Chapelle des Marins
132 m
Manoir d'Herclat
4 km
Manoir des Tourelles
1.9 km
Église Notre-Dame de Gouberville
2.8 km
Église Saint-Martin-et-Sainte-Trinité de Néville-sur-Mer
4 km
Croix ancienne du cimetière de Barfleur
2.3 km
Église Notre-Dame de Valcanville
5.7 km
St. Lawrence's Church, Tocqueville
4.2 km
Barfleur Lighthouse
1.8 km
Église Sainte-Geneviève de Sainte-Geneviève
3.9 km
Église Saint-Léger d'Anneville-en-Saire
5.7 km
Église Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption du Vicel
6.2 km
Église Saint-Martin de Varouville
6.2 km
Monument aux morts de 1914-18
2.3 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes