Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The La Rochelle alignment lighthouses, located in the Old Port, were built in the mid-19th century to replace the Lantern tower, which became ineffective after centuries of use. The Lantern tower, built around 1363 and equipped with a lantern in 1468, initially marked the entrance to the port. Damaged by the siege of 1627-1628, it lost its functionality, requiring the construction of new maritime landmarks.

In 1852, two alignment lighthouses were erected: the Valin wharf lighthouse, a white octagonal tower raised in 1855 to avoid confusion with urban lights, and the Gabut lighthouse, located near the Saint-Nicolas tower. These lighthouses, equipped with fixed lights (white for Valin, red for Gabut), were electrified in 1937. Their 59° alignment makes it possible to guide the ships precisely to the inner basin of the historic port.

The two lighthouses, listed as historical monuments in 2011, symbolize the evolution of maritime signalling techniques in La Rochelle. The Valin wharf lighthouse, automated and not open to the public, retains its original function, supported by the Gabut red light. Their architecture reflects the practical needs of the 19th century, with masonry structures adapted to port conditions.

Prior to their construction, the harbour pilots called for more effective fires as early as 1842 to report hazards such as the Lavardin and Chauveau rocks. The plans, drawn up in 1848, led to work carried out between 1850 and 1853. The lighthouse of the Valin wharf, 23.30 metres high above the sea, and that of the Gabut (14.10 metres) offer a range of 12 miles, securing access to the port.

The tower of La Lanterne, the first fanal of La Rochelle, illustrates the medieval history of the city. Rebuilt in 1445 and equipped with a lantern in 1468, it was the only maritime landmark until the 19th century. Its decline, accelerated by the siege of 1627-1628, motivated the modernization of port infrastructure, leading to the current lighthouses.

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