Dunkirk lighthouse, Maritime navigation lighthouse in Dunkirk, France
Dunkirk lighthouse is a cylindrical brick tower standing 63 meters tall, with a black balcony and brown lantern room at the top. These features make it a functional aid for ships navigating the French coast and the Channel.
Construction began in 1842 under architect Leonce Reynaud to replace an earlier tower from 1683 that no longer met maritime navigation needs. This replacement marked a shift toward more advanced lighthouse technology for the period.
The lighthouse has long served as a landmark that helps people navigate the harbor area visually. Locals recognize it as a symbol of the town's maritime identity and its relationship with the sea.
The tower stands near the harbor and is easily reached on foot from the town center. The interior is not open to visitors, but the exterior can be viewed and photographed from various angles in the surrounding area.
The tower retains its 19th-century brick construction but houses modern navigation equipment inside. This combination of historic architecture with contemporary technology allows it to continue serving modern shipping without major structural changes.
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