Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Portel Lighthouse, also known as the Alprech Lighthouse, was erected in 1961-1962 to replace a temporary fire installed in 1947 after World War II. This original lighthouse, entirely metallic, is distinguished by its exterior staircase wrapped around a central pillar, reversing the traditional typology. The lantern retains a style inherited from the 19th century, while the service building, made of concrete, was rebuilt in 1960.

Automatized in 1977 with a three-panel lens, the lighthouse is located on the Cape of Alprech, near the fort of the same name. It was listed as historic monuments on 30 December 2010 for its innovative architecture and role in the local maritime heritage. The national archives retain plans dated from 1842 to 1905, attesting to previous projects not completed.

The lighthouse illustrates the technical evolution of the lighthouses in the 20th century, combining functional efficiency and aesthetic research. Its strategic location on the Opal Coast makes it a major maritime landmark, while at the same time witnessing post-war reconstruction in the region. The metal structure and the dissolidarization of the tower and the service building reflect the innovations of the era.

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