Phare de Porquerolles

The Porquerolles lighthouse is a white stone tower positioned on the island's southern headland, visible from considerable distances due to its height. The structure tapers toward the top and features a lantern room that houses the light apparatus, sitting prominently against the horizon above surrounding vegetation and rocky terrain.

Built in 1823 to assist maritime navigation along the Provençal coast, the lighthouse was established during a period of expanding seaborne trade. Its keeper during World War II helped preserve the structure through a critical period when coastal fortifications faced significant threats.

The lighthouse marks the island's southern edge and serves as a gathering point where visitors pause to understand the maritime connection between the land and sea. The promenade around it has become a place where people reflect on the island's relationship with seafaring traditions.

The lighthouse interior is closed to visitors, but the surrounding promenade offers free access with multiple viewpoints for observation and photography. The pathways around the base are generally open and easily navigable, allowing visitors to circle the structure and enjoy different perspectives.

The tower originally used an advanced lens system that magnified the light beam for maximum visibility across the sea, representing cutting-edge optical technology of its era. Few visitors realize this system was one of the early applications of Fresnel lens innovation in Mediterranean lighthouses.

Location: Hyères

Inception: 1823

Address: route du Phare

GPS coordinates: 42.98330,6.20611

Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:26