Kerlédé Lighthouse, Maritime navigation lighthouse in Saint-Nazaire, France
Kerlédé Lighthouse is a stone structure with white walls positioned inland rather than on the coast, roughly half a mile from the water's edge. The building displays the standard design elements used for river navigation lights during that era.
Built in 1897, this structure guided river traffic on the Loire until 1961 when modern navigation systems made it unnecessary. Its active role spanning six decades shaped how maritime commerce operated through the region.
The lighthouse marks an important chapter in how Saint-Nazaire developed as a port town and helped organize river traffic. Visitors can sense how such structures shaped daily life and work along the waterway for generations.
The lighthouse sits in a location accessible by the U2 bus line, with the Dauphiné stop within easy walking distance. The surrounding area allows for viewing the structure from multiple angles without special equipment or barriers.
The lighthouse is placed inland rather than on the shoreline, which was intentional for the river navigation system used then. Ships relied on seeing this light aligned with other markers to safely navigate the Loire's curves and channels.
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