Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The lighthouse of the Hève, located on the Cap de la Hève in Sainte-Address, dominates the cray cliffs of the Seine estuary. The current structure, designed by architect Henri Colboc, was inaugurated in 1951. It replaces two 18th century twin lighthouses, destroyed in 1944 during World War II. With an altitude of 102 metres and a range of 50 km, it is accessible by a staircase of 161 steps, although not open to the public.

The history of the site dates back to 1364, when King Charles V ordered the construction of a fire tower, functional for four centuries. In the 18th century, two 17-metre lighthouses were erected in 1775, equipped in 1863 with the first electric arc lanterns by Sautter, in collaboration with the engineer Léonce Reynaud. These installations, upgraded in 1924 with incandescent lamps, were destroyed in 1944.

The current octagonal concrete lighthouse features a limestone suspended staircase and a central elevator. Its cut glass optics and halogen lamp make it an example of the functional architecture of the mid-20th century. The adjacent technical building, made of cut stone, houses the machines and offices, while a guard house and a shed complete the whole. Ranked a historic monument in 2010, it illustrates the evolution of maritime lighting techniques.

The archives keep plans dating from 1829 to 1909, reflecting the successive changes to the site. Although not visitable, the lighthouse remains an emblematic landmark of Norman heritage, linked to the maritime history and technological innovations of French lighthouses.

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