Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The lighthouse of Terre-Nègre is a bitter, cylindrical tower shaped 26.60 metres high, located at the point of Terre-Nègre, in the commune of Saint-Palais-sur-Mer (Charente-Maritime). Built in the second half of the 18th century, its mission is to mark the southern pass of the Gironde estuary and to signal the presence of a dangerous sand bank, the "English bar". The tower, painted in red and white for better visibility, is equipped with a 143 steps screw staircase leading to a sleep platform equipped with a directional light. At its base, a building once served as a dwelling for the guard.

The installation of a bitter at this site was envisaged in 1763, and construction began in 1770 and ended in 1773, probably under the direction of the Bordeaux engineer Claude Tardy. In 1807, the tower was raised, but this change was deemed insufficient by some navigators. In 1834, sailors of Royan requested the installation of a fire, but the project was adjourned for lack of funds. A first temporary light was finally tested in 1836, and a 4th order white fixed light was permanently installed in 1838. The lighthouse was electrified in 1939.

During World War II, the lighthouse was used as an observatory by German soldiers. Damaged during the 1945 fighting, it was restored and returned to service in March 1947. On that date, a three occult light (white, red, green) was installed, with a range of 18 nautical miles. The lighthouse has been listed as historic monuments since 15 April 2011.

The tower, built of shell limestone, features murderers and a metal guard. Its central staircase, partially damaged during the war, leads to an octagonal lantern with diopteric optics. The guardian's house, enlarged in the 19th century, now includes the base of the tower. The lighthouse, although its alignment with the Saint-Palais bell tower lost its usefulness after 1900, remains an essential landmark for navigation in the estuary.

The archives kept plans dated from 1838 to 1859, reflecting changes to the lighthouse. Today, the site is fully protected, including its outbuildings and the soil of the corresponding plot. Although practical information on visits is limited, the lighthouse remains a symbol of New Aquitaine's maritime heritage.

External links