Visit the Contis lighthouse during your stay in the Landes. To help sailors navigate and keep a close eye on the ships lining the coast, the idea of creating a maritime lighthouse in the area appealed to the department’s administrators. The Contis lighthouse was built in 1862 on the orders of Napoleon III, the ruler of the time. This decision was the delight of sailors and still holds an important place in the Landes region today.
The must-sees in the Basque Country during your vacation
Visit the Contis lighthouse during your stay in the Landes. To help sailors navigate and keep a close eye on the ships lining the coast, the idea of creating a maritime lighthouse in the area appealed to the department’s administrators. The Contis lighthouse was built in 1862 on the orders of Napoleon III, the ruler of the time. This decision was the delight of sailors and still holds an important place in the Landes region today.
Contis lighthouse
The Contis Lighthouse is a 1st order lighthouse. It is located in the Landes commune of Saint-Julien-en-Born. It’s an emblematic monument for the Landes region. In fact, it’s the department’s only maritime lighthouse. With this in mind, it was listed as a local historic monument in 2009. Initially, the lighthouse was white in color, but this was later accompanied by a black band that wraps around the tower. What makes it special is that it is one of only three lighthouses in the world with this motif. This proves that it belongs in the Barber-Pole category.
Characteristics of the Contis lighthouse
The Contis lighthouse remains a true masterpiece in the Landes region. It went into service in December 1863, despite having been built a year earlier. Located in the heart of the forest, the lighthouse is 15 kilometers from Mimizan and 5 kilometers from the Atlantic Ocean, with an elevation of 41.5 meters above sea level.
The tower is 38 metres high, but with its lantern it reaches 50 metres above sea level. Since 1999, the Contis lighthouse has operated automatically if it was previously lit by the keepers. Its lantern features a 180-watt halogen lamp with a range of 42 kilometers. It makes 4 white flashes every 25 seconds. To reach the top of the tower and enjoy the panoramic view, climb the 183 steps of the cast-iron staircase.
The Contis lighthouse is open to the public from late April to late September. However, admission is 3 euros for everyone over 12. For children under 3, it’s still free. Interested parties can both enjoy the beauty of the tower and visit the small museum it houses…
