Phare du Pilier, Maritime lighthouse in Noirmoutier-en-l'Île, France.
Description
The Phare du Pilier is a lighthouse on Pilier Island off Noirmoutier-en-l'Île consisting of two separate stone towers. The taller structure reaches about 18 meters with a pyramidal form, while the other tower supports a radio antenna.
History
The original lighthouse tower was built in 1829 but required complete reconstruction in 1877 due to damage from the oil lighting system it used. The rebuild resulted in the current two-tower design that proved more resilient to harsh maritime conditions.
Culture
The lighthouse stands as a central element of French maritime heritage, recognized as a historical monument since 2012 for its architecture and function.
Practical
The lighthouse beacon has been automated since 1996 and is now remotely controlled from the Saint-Nazaire station. Visitors can view the towers from the outside, though interior access is generally not available.
Did you know?
One of the two towers supports a radio antenna and serves purposes beyond maritime navigation. This dual use shows how structures gain new functions over time to meet modern communication needs.
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Île du Pilier
237 m
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L'île aux papillons
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Abbaye de Noirmoutier-en-l'Île
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Phare de la Pointe des Dames
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9.8 km
Plage des Sableaux
11.7 km
Réserve naturelle nationale des marais de Müllembourg
11.2 km
Oceanile
10.1 km
Hôtel Jacobsen
10 km
Dolmen de la pointe de l'Herbaudière
4.5 km
Plage des Dames
11.3 km
Mini-Ville
10 km
Réserve naturelle régionale de la pointe Saint-Gildas
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Plage des Lutins
5.3 km
Plage Luzeron
6.5 km
Église Saint-Philbert de Noirmoutier-en-l'Île
10.2 km
Museum of Traditions
12.7 km
Batterie Clausewitz
4.6 km
Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste de L'Épine
9.8 km
Grotte Saint-Philbert
11.2 km
Église du Sacré-Cœur de l'Herbaudière
5.7 km
Plage de la Cantine
12.8 km
Plage de la Martinière
9.8 km
Plage de la Bosse
9.2 km
Maison de Lebreton-des-Grapillères
10.2 km
Chapelle du Grand Vieil
8.5 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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