Cap Béar Lighthouse, Lighthouse with monument status in Port-Vendres, France.
The Cap Béar Lighthouse is a 27-meter tall structure on the Mediterranean coast featuring a circular shaft covered with white ceramic tiles. The building has a freestone balustrade and a distinctive shape created by decorative stonework and corner details.
The lighthouse was built in 1905 using granite and local stone materials sourced from the Aude region. The structure was created to guide ships safely along their routes through Mediterranean waters.
The lighthouse serves as a visual landmark that locals and visitors recognize instantly when approaching the coast. It embodies the connection between the town and the sea that remains central to Port-Vendres' identity.
The lighthouse is located on Route du Cap Bear in Port-Vendres and can be visited by contacting ahead for access. The best way to reach it is via the road leading to the cape, which offers views along the coast.
The structure features false battlements at its upper section that are purely decorative and give it a castle-like silhouette. This ornamental choice was common in architecture of that era and makes the lighthouse instantly recognizable from ships at sea.
Location: Port-Vendres
Inception: 1905
Elevation above the sea: 567 m
Height: 27 m
Address: Situé à la pointe du Cap Béar
Website: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phare_du_cap_B%C3%A9ar
GPS coordinates: 42.51560,3.13667
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:40
French lighthouses line approximately 3,400 miles (5,500 km) of coast, from the English Channel to the Mediterranean Sea. These maritime structures, built between the 17th and 20th centuries, occupy strategic locations on rocky promontories, islands, and sometimes in open sea. Constructed from granite, limestone, or masonry, they reflect changes in building techniques and the emphasis on maritime safety. Among the most notable are the Cordouan lighthouse, located offshore of the Gironde estuary and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Vierge island in Brittany, which, at 272 feet (82.5 meters), is the tallest stone tower in Europe. The Jument and Vieille lighthouses, situated off Ouessant and Raz de Sein, demonstrate the technical challenges of building at sea, while those at Cap Ferret, Calais, and Ploumanac'h serve as coastal landmarks for over a century. Most of these installations remain operational, and several are open to visitors, offering insights into their interior architecture and the living conditions of their keepers.
The Eastern Pyrenees region of France features mountains, coastal areas, and historical sites. The territory extends from Pyrenean peaks to Mediterranean beaches, containing medieval fortresses, historic railways, deep gorges, thermal springs, and nature reserves. Notable elements include the 2,784-meter Canigou peak, the Yellow Train railway, coastal fortifications, and protected marine areas. The region presents archaeological sites, mineral formations, mountain lakes, and religious buildings from various periods.
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