Prêcheur Lighthouse, located in Abymes

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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Prêcheur Lighthouse is an emblematic monument to the north-west of Martinique, in the commune of Prêcheur, on the edge of the Caribbean Sea and at the foot of the volcano of Mount Pelee. Built in the Abymes district, it stands out as the only lighthouse on the island built in the heart of a village, with a base evoking a coastal fortification. Its architecture combines a white tower of 12 meters, a truncated base in stone and a metal turret.

Between 1927 and 1936, the lighthouse operated with oil before being electrified in 1936. In 1990, it was automated and has since been controlled remotely by the Fort-de-France Lighthouses and Beacons Service. A renovation in 1996 added a 13-mile range of emergency fire, powered by batteries providing four days of autonomy. This lighthouse, registered with historic monuments by order of 16 December 2013, plays a key role in the maritime signage of the region.

The Prêcheur lighthouse embodies both an architectural heritage and a strategic function for navigation in the Caribbean. Its inscription as a historical monument underlines its cultural and technical importance, while recalling its adaptation to technological developments, from lighting to oil to modern automation. Its location, between sea and volcano, makes it a major geographical and historical landmark for Martinique.

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