Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Berck lighthouse, located in the Pas-de-Calais, marks the mouth of the Authie on the Opale Coast. Its history began in 1836 with an 11-metre first fire, replaced in 1868 by a 25-metre tower destroyed in 1944 during World War II. These successive oil-fired and oil-fired lighthouses met the growing need for maritime signage, particularly after the construction of the Berck Hospital, which obscured the signal.

The current lighthouse, built between 1949 and 1951, is a major technical innovation: the first French prestressed concrete tower, designed by architect Georges Tourry and engineer Freyssinet. It is 44.5 m high (57 m above the sea), and incorporates a modern lens with a range of 24 miles (44 km). Its automation in 1996 marks the end of the human presence on site. Ranked a historic monument in 2010, it illustrates the evolution of marine construction and signalling techniques.

The initial project included a prestressed concrete experimental structure with red and white alternating rings for better visibility. As early as 1964, cracks and sprains appeared, revealing the limits of this pioneering technique. The lighthouse, not open to the public, remains managed by the Boulogne-sur-Mer telecontrol centre. Its garden of 9,512 m2 and its L-shaped building complete a unique architectural complex, witness to the technical challenges of the twentieth century.

Prior to the current lighthouse, the land had been the subject of litigation in 1850: the owner claimed 1,000 francs for a parcel initially verbally transferred. An expropriation finally fixed the compensation at 500 francs. This conflict reflects the local tensions surrounding the expansion of maritime infrastructure, which is essential for a fisheries and seaside tourism region.

Berck's lighthouse is also distinguished by its evolutionary optical system: from vegetable oil (1836) to electrification (1951), via a mercury tank. The current optics, with its 4 cut glass panels, and its Sautter-Harlé rotation machine, testifies to technological advances in signalling. Despite its early structural problems, it remains a symbol of the maritime heritage of Hauts-de-France.

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