Lighthouse of La Coubre, Maritime lighthouse in La Tremblade, France
The Lighthouse of La Coubre is a concrete structure at the northern edge of the Gironde estuary with a viewing platform reached by 300 steps. The tower rises clearly above the flat coastal landscape, offering far-reaching views across water and land.
An older stone lighthouse stood here from 1895 but was destroyed by coastal erosion in 1907 and had to be replaced. The current concrete structure was built to be more resistant to the forces of the sea.
The name refers to its location on the coast where ships have long sought guidance. The small museum shows how people here worked with the sea and navigated its challenges.
The climb to the viewing platform takes time and stamina due to the many steps involved. It helps to wear good shoes and plan time to rest along the way while taking in the views.
The system inside uses a Fresnel lens, a clever optical device that focuses light so it can reach ships far away. This old technical principle lets a relatively weak light beam travel an impressive distance through pulsing rays.
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