A lighthouse with an atypical history
We are in the middle of the 19th century. On the New Caledonian coasts, there was neither lighting nor beaconing. The approach of the coral reef is risky, shipwrecks are numerous.
After numerous requests, the Conseil des Travaux de la Marine agreed to remedy the lack of maritime signalling. In 1862, the installation of a lighthouse to signal the Boulari pass was decided!
The Lighthouse Commission, charged with developing the project, opted for the construction of an iron building in Paris that could be transported in parts to New Caledonia. The engineer and architect Léonce Reynaud designed the lighthouse, and the construction of the building began in 1862 with the builder François Rigolet.
The finished building spends another two years in Paris, before being able to take the sea. It took 5 months to transport it by boat to New Caledonia... in 390 tons of spare parts!
The reconstruction on the islet lasted 9 months, and the Amédée lighthouse was lit for the first time on November 15, 1865. At 56 meters high, it is the second highest metallic lighthouse in the world.
Explore Amédée by boat
It is possible to visit the lighthouse during a stopover. To the northwest of Amedee Island, buoys provide a comfortable anchorage in an easterly wind. At the foot of the lighthouse, at nightfall, the beams that illuminate the horizon offer a unique atmosphere.
A long landing stage is located just in front of the mooring area and allows the yachtsman to put his foot down. From there, different circuits criss-cross the islet towards the beach or the interior. Part of the territory is reserved for the nesting of protected species and is not accessible.
The visit of the lighthouse
Let's enter the heart of the building! On the first floor, an exhibition space tells the visitor the history of the lighthouse. At the bottom of the monumental cast iron staircase, a glance is enough to realize the height of the building.
Climbing the 247 steps gives you the opportunity to discover the interior structure. Everywhere, from the architecture to the ornamentation, no detail has been left to chance.
The ascent is worth the detour! From the top of its 56 meters, the lighthouse overlooks the lagoon. From the top, an exceptional panorama can be contemplated over the Boulari channel, Grande-Terre and the surrounding islets.
