Phare du Grand-Charpentier, Maritime lighthouse in Saint-Nazaire, France.
The Phare du Grand-Charpentier is a lighthouse in Saint-Nazaire positioned at the Loire River estuary with a truncated cone-shaped tower made of smooth masonry. The structure culminates in a lantern that marks the river entrance and serves as a vital navigation reference point.
The structure was built between 1884 and 1887, replacing earlier iron beacons that had marked the Loire estuary since 1826. This development represented an advance in French navigation and coastal safety engineering.
The lighthouse takes its name from the shipwrights who once worked in this area. Visitors can sense the connection to the region's maritime craftsmanship traditions when viewing the sturdy stone structure built to withstand harsh coastal conditions.
Reaching the lighthouse requires taking a boat to a jetty that connects during low tide. Plan your visit around tidal conditions, as accessibility depends entirely on water levels.
The lighthouse received heritage status in 2011, an honor that underscores its importance to French maritime engineering history. This designation protects the structure while preserving its continuing role as a vital navigation aid.
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