An active lighthouse
The Cordouan lighthouse is a Maritime Signalling Establishment (MSE) at the entrance to the Gironde estuary. It is recognizable by its light signature: three occultations over a period of 12 seconds, and a light range of 19.5 nautical miles, or just over 36 km.
Situated on a plateau with the same name, Cordouan is an aid for any navigator who wants to navigate the Gironde estuary via the main channel (with its green sector light) or the southern channel (with its red sector light).
When it was lit in 1611, the Cordoba fire was fuelled by a mixture of wood, pitch and tar and was installed in a small dome at a height of 37 m above the sea. Over the centuries, the lighting was successively supplied by whale white, coal, various oils (from 1790), petroleum gas (from 1907) and from 1949 by electrical energy. The power required was increased from 6,000 to 250 watts, thanks to a metal halide bulb.
These technical changes have kept the lighthouse within reach by reducing its energy consumption. Today, five generators power two groups of twelve batteries serving all the lighthouse's electrical installations. This system was completed in 2012 by a remote monitoring system that provides 24-hour information on the operating status of the fire. Technical installations have become more autonomous, but they still require human intervention and continuous monitoring. This is why the Lighthouses and Beacons team (DIRM South Atlantic) ensures that the fire is working properly from the Verdon sur Mer and is ready to intervene.
A lighthouse historical monument
It is the oldest lighthouse in France still in operation and the last French lighthouse on which keepers still live and work all year round. Indeed, four guards take turns, two by two, to ensure the maintenance, but also the reception and the visit of the building. They are there two by two, at the rate of two weeks for one week ashore during the tourist period (Easter/Tusk) and one week ashore for one week at sea during the winter period. The changeover takes place on Friday at times dictated by the tide, this departure is from the Verdon aboard the Lighthouses and Beacons boat.
No longer requiring the permanent presence of Lighthouse and Beacon technicians, but being open to visitors, the lighthouse is therefore managed by the Ministries of Ecology and Culture, which ensure the preservation of this exceptional building in its dual function as a signal for sailors and as a monument.
Since 2010, it is the SMIDDEST (Syndicat Mixte pour le Développement Durable de l'Estuaire de la Gironde) which brings together the Departments of Gironde and Charente-Maritime, the New Aquitaine Region, Bordeaux Métropole and the Communauté d'Agglomération Royan Atlantique, the Community of Communes of Haute Saintonge and the Community of Communes of the Estuary, which manages the Cordouan Lighthouse, guards the monument, welcomes the public, promotes the site, develops cultural projects and preserves the rocky plateau.
Visit the Cordouan lighthouse
The Cordouan Lighthouse is open to visitors from Easter to All Saints' Day every day from June to September. It is closed on Fridays out of season, and open every day from 15 June to 15 September. Departures are organised from the ports of Royan, Meschers-sur-Gironde or Le Verdon sur mer. The journey takes about 45 minutes and the timetables change daily with the tides, so it is essential to consult the days and times of departure before preparing your trip.
