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Origin and history

The Mont-Saint-Clair Lighthouse, located on the heights of Sète in the Hérault, was erected between 1900 and 1903 to improve the maritime signs of the port and the west coast. Its construction, decided by a ministerial decree of 3 January 1900, is part of the revival of earlier projects (1853, 1878, 1898) aimed at replacing the fire of Cape Agde. The works, initially led by the entrepreneur Massol, were taken over by Troglia after his death, with an effective recovery at the end of 1900. The lighthouse, designed by engineer Hermann-Guiche, was first lit on 23 April 1903.

The structure consists of an octagonal tower in exposed stone, slightly pyramidal, 23 meters high, with a focal point at 18.90 meters. Its lantern, decorated with lion muffles and acanthe leaves, is surmounted by a copper dome. Nearby, additional buildings house housing, technical rooms, garages and a well, all lined with a fence. The lighthouse initially operated on oil steam before its electrification in 1938. It was listed as a historical monument in 2011.

The lighthouse plays a key role in navigation, aligned with the Saint-Louis pier to guide ships to the Port of Sète. Its strategic location, 92.70 metres above the sea, makes it a visible landmark 29 miles away. The decrees of 1853 and 1878, and their relaunch in 1898, underline the historic importance of this project to secure collisions in a dense maritime area. Today, it remains one of the last major first-class lighthouses built to the standards of the late 19th century.

The original lens, installed in 1903, included a mercury tank and a 0.70 metre focal lens, producing white radiance every 5 seconds. The technical arrangements have evolved, with a 1000W lamp on SIDEN changer from an unspecified date. The site, including guard housing and terraces, has been fully protected since 2011, demonstrating its architectural and technical heritage.

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