Gustavia Lighthouse, lighthouse on Saint Barthélemy in the French West Indies
The Gustavia Lighthouse is a beacon on the coast of Saint Barthélemy that rises about 10 meters high on a hill, painted white with a red top. The structure sits on the grounds of the former Fort Gustav and overlooks Gustavia Harbor with its anchored vessels.
The beacon was built from concrete in 1961 to help ships navigate along the rocky and reefed coast. After initial gas operation, it switched to electricity in 1972 and became automated to make the harbors safer.
The tower carries the name "Gustavia" painted in white capitals on a dark panel below the red gallery band. The lamp was first lit in 1962 by keeper Albert Lédée, who tended it for almost 30 years, replacing its three gas cylinders each month. The site on Fort Gustav's grounds is used today for watching regattas such as the St Barths Bucket.
A walking path leads visitors up to the structure and offers open views of the harbor and neighboring islands. The walk is easy to manage and can be done at any time of day, though it is best during good light for photographs.
The light flashes every 12 seconds and is visible for several kilometers on clear nights. It continues to assist ships despite modern GPS systems, serving as a dependable reference point during difficult weather conditions.
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