You don’t have to go to the other side of the world to see it all! We already know about the Dune du Pilat and its breathtaking views, but we can also count on the Cap Ferret lighthouse. Here’s everything you need to know about Arcachon’s only lighthouse, which watches over the Cap Ferret peninsula and the Bassin against wind and tide.
How many steps?
A challenging climb, but what a sight! A 258-step staircase leads to the top of the Cap Ferret lighthouse, 52 m above sea level. From the platform, you can take in a 360-degree panorama of the Bay of Arcachon and the ocean, the Cap Ferret peninsula, the Dune du Pilat, the Banc d’Arguin and Ile aux Oiseaux. A stunning view!
And if you’re afraid of heights, there’s a path around the lighthouse, offering a pleasant iodized stroll. Within the lighthouse grounds, you can discover the Ar36 blockhouse, a vestige of the Atlantic Wall built by the German army during the Second World War.
What can you visit in the lighthouse?
A multi-storey museum! Inside, several exhibition rooms provide information on the history of the Cap Ferret lighthouse. The museum displays old nautical charts and navigation instruments, as well as animated charts of the Bassin, interactive screens, augmented reality applications and a 3D optical mechanism of a lighthouse. A moment of history to share with the whole family.
At the end of your visit, take a trip to the lighthouse store for a souvenir of your camping vacation on the shores of the Bay of Arcachon😉
What does the history of the lighthouse tell us?
Built in 1840, the Cap Ferret lighthouse was blown up by the Germans on the night of August 21-22, 1944. A brand new lighthouse was built in 1947, based on the plans of the old one. It was automated in 1995.
Since 2009, it has been listed as a historic monument. The lighthouse is particularly well decorated. The reception hall is adorned with a mosaic by world-renowned master glass artist Auguste Labouret, depicting the Bay of Arcachon and the Cap Ferret peninsula. Also on display are two busts of Beautemps-Beaupré (famous hydrographic engineer of the early 19th century) and physicist Augustin Fresnel (inventor of the echelon lens).
How do I get to Cap Ferret lighthouse?
Cap Ferret lighthouse is located at the tip of the peninsula, on the north side of the entrance to the access channel to the Bay of Arcachon, 500 m from the coastal dunes. Address: 4 Prom. Tour du Phare Cap Ferret, 33950 Lège-Cap-Ferret.
From Arcachon or La Teste-de-Buch, you can take a shuttle across the Bassin to the Bélisaire jetty at Cap Ferret.
When to go?
The Cap-Ferret lighthouse is open to visitors every day from April to September, from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (July/August); the rest of the year, from Wednesday to Sunday, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. + more info
How much does it cost?
Visits to the Cap Ferret lighthouse are available all year round, with timetables depending on the season. The cost is €6 for adults and €4 for children (aged 4 to 12). Children are free.
Lighthouse technical specifications (for enthusiasts and the curious)
- Total height: 57 m
- Number of steps: 258
- Light range: 50 km
- Light: red flash with 5-second rotation. The lighthouse is powered by a 1000-watt halogen lamp operating at 220 volts. In 1995, automation replaced the lightkeepers.
- Date of construction: 1947 to 1949.
ALSO READ: “Visiting Cap Ferret: the must-sees”.
photo©David Remazeilles (Gironde Tourisme)