Open to the public mi-2023 (≈ 1001)
End of work and museum access.
1869
Construction and ignition
Construction and ignition 1869 (≈ 1869)
Inauguration of the lighthouse under Charles Lentheric.
1907
Technical modernization
Technical modernization 1907 (≈ 1907)
Transition to oil steam and black paint.
9 octobre 2012
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 9 octobre 2012 (≈ 2012)
Official protection of the building and its annexes.
26 février 2019
Allocation to the Coastal Conservatory
Allocation to the Coastal Conservatory 26 février 2019 (≈ 2019)
Start of restoration and opening project.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The lighthouse, i.e. the entire tower, the facades and roofs of the houses and related buildings, the courtyard with its paving, the well, the fence walls and the plate ground of its enclosure (CZ 10, placed the Espiguette): classification by order of 9 October 2012
Key figures
Charles Lenthéric - Chief Engineer
Directed the construction between 1865 and 1869.
Charles Dupuy - Sponsor and municipal councillor
Initiator of the project, buried in Aigues-Mortes.
Origin and history
The Espiguette Lighthouse is a 27-metre-high square tower built in 1869 on the tip of the same name in the Gard department. Originally located 150 metres from the shore, it is now 700 metres away due to coastal fattening by sand deposits. This monument, built under the direction of engineer Charles Lentheric, is emblematic of the French coastal equipment program led by the service of the Lighthouses and Balises in the 19th century.
The lighthouse was commissioned by Charles Dupuy, municipal councillor of Aigues-Mortes, for an initial cost estimated at 111,731.34 francs, although the contractor claimed more than double (231,400.79 francs). After appeals, the State Council finally granted him an additional compensation of CHF 3,285.90. The lighthouse, which was lit in 1869, initially operated on vegetable oil before moving to more modern systems such as oil steam (1907) and automation (1980).
Ranked a historic monument since October 9, 2012, the lighthouse was restored and opened to the public in 2023, after being assigned to the Coastal Conservatory in 2019. Its architectural ensemble, including housing, courtyard and ancillary buildings, is remarkable for its homogeneity and its original technical devices. The tip of Espiguette, on which it stands, is a natural site classified since 1998.
In 2019, La Poste celebrated this lighthouse by integrating into a series of stamps entitled "Remarks of our Coasts". Today, it houses a museum space and remains a symbol of the Mediterranean maritime heritage.
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