Lighthouse of Petite-Terre Island

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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The lighthouse of Petite-Terre Island, erected in 1840 on the island of Terre-de-Bas (Petite-Terre), is the oldest lighthouse in Guadeloupe. It was built to secure intense navigation between the islands and Europe, replacing the wood fires lit by the Thionville family since 1826. This 20-metre cylindrical lighthouse, with its Paris lantern visible at 15 miles, marked a major advance for regional maritime signage.

The Thionville family, originally from La Désirade, obtained Charles X's concession of the island in 1826, in exchange for a nightmarking to avoid shipwrecks. Their mission evolved with the construction of the lighthouse in 1838-1840, using imported limestone. The site also included accommodation for the guard, a cistern and appentis, now protected as historical monuments since 2002.

Automatized in 1972, the lighthouse saw the departure of its last inhabitants, including the guardian. Its architecture — circular tower, dry stone enclosures and associated remains — bears witness to its historic role. Located in a nature reserve, it overlooks a lagoon preserved between the Petite-Terre reefs, 10 km southeast of Pointe des Châteaux (Guadeloupe).

The lighthouse symbolizes the adaptation of maritime infrastructure to the growing needs of transatlantic trade. Its local nickname, the flagship of the world, reflects its geographical isolation and its importance for sailors sailing between the West Indies and Europe in the 19th century. Its classification in 2002 recognizes its heritage and ecological value.

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