Structure construction 1857 (≈ 1857)
Arrival of metal elements from England.
15 décembre 1859
Commissioning
Commissioning 15 décembre 1859 (≈ 1859)
Official ignition of the lantern.
1897
Automation
Automation 1897 (≈ 1897)
End of guard presence.
1953
Propane explosion
Propane explosion 1953 (≈ 1953)
Major damage to the lighthouse.
1986
Fire decommissioning
Fire decommissioning 1986 (≈ 1986)
Replacement with a solar signal.
4 juillet 2001
End of use
End of use 4 juillet 2001 (≈ 2001)
Becomes useless for navigation.
22 juin 2022
Historical classification
Historical classification 22 juin 2022 (≈ 2022)
Registration for historical monuments.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The Lighthouse of Walde, in full, located on the Domaine Public Maritime Naturel : inscription by decree of 22 June 2022
Key figures
Information non disponible - No character cited
The source text does not mention any specific actors.
Origin and history
Walde Lighthouse, located in Marck near Calais in Pas-de-Calais, was built in 1857-1859 by Englishmen. Its metal structure in wrought iron, sheet metal and cast iron, resting on six screwed feet at 5 meters depth, is unique in France. The lantern, commissioned in 1859, peaked 11 metres above sea level, marking the separation between the North Sea and the Channel. Its sheet metal cabin, painted in black, housed the guards until its automation in 1897.
In 1953, the lighthouse was damaged by a propane explosion after being powered by an oil lamp in the 19th century. Decommissioned in 1986, her lantern was dismantled and replaced by a solar fire. Threatened by destruction in 1998, he was saved by the intervention of the Lighthouses and Tags and the FRCPM, who pleaded for his preservation. It was finally listed as a historic monument on 22 June 2022 and must be renovated.
The lighthouse is distinguished by its 7 meter diameter hexagonal platform, topped by an oak balcony and a sheet metal cabin. Its focal point, 15 metres above the sand, lost its usefulness in 2001 due to the enlargement of Walde Bank to Calais. Today, it reflects a rare industrial architecture and a turbulent maritime history, between technical innovations and conservation issues.
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