Timeline

Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Baleines Lighthouse is located at the western tip of the island of Ré, in the commune of Saint-Clément-des-Baleines (Charente-Maritime). Its name comes from the many whale failures that occurred there in the past. It replaces the old lighthouse built in 1682 under the direction of Vauban, still visible 80 meters to the northwest. The latter, 29 meters high, was the first to illuminate this site dangerous for navigation.

The current lighthouse, designed by architect Léonce Reynaud, was built between 1849 and 1854. It was 57 metres high, initially operating with oil with two Fresnel lenses, still in service today. Electrified in 1904, it has a 257 steps helical staircase and a light range of 50 km. It is lined by the Baleineaux Lighthouse, located on a rocky bank in the northwest.

The old lighthouse of 1682, classified as a historic monument in 1904, has been home to a museum dedicated to lighthouses and beacons since 2007. The management of the site, including the restoration of the old tower and the tourist exploitation, was entrusted in 2001 to the private company Ocean Heritage. The large lighthouse, which is still active, attracts about 160,000 visitors annually.

Heritage protections included the classification of the old lighthouse in 1904, the registration of buildings and park in 2011, and the ranking of the Baleines Lighthouse, the Machinery Building and the Whale Lighthouse in 2012. The lantern of the large lighthouse was completely restored in 2010.

The old lighthouse, built between 1669 and 1682 by engineer Augier, initially used fish oil. His successive improvements (reflectors in 1777, metal lantern in 1736) were not enough to keep him in service after 1854. The new tower, with its lenticular apparatus inaugurated in 1854, marked a major technological advance for maritime signalling.

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