Lighthouse
La Balue Lighthouse
Saint-Malo · Ille-et-Vilaine
An onshore lighthouse in Saint-Malo, 36.60 m high, with a green directional light visible 25 miles away, essential to the leading lines into the harbour.
- Suggested time
- 20 to 35 minutes.
- Type of place
- Lighthouse
- Atmosphere
- Urban, technical and discreet.
- Getting there
- 42 rue de la Balue, Saint-Malo. Outside viewing only.
Who this place suits
- With family
- 8/10
- As a couple
- 7/10
- With friends
- 8/10
- Solo
- 9/10
- With a dog
- 7/10
- Reduced mobility
- 8/10
These scores are calculated from what the page records: official rating, facilities, difficulty, duration and location. They are a guide, not a substitute for contacting the venue, especially about accessibility.
About
The La Balue lighthouse stands in Saint-Malo, back from the shore, but plays a key role in the sea approach to the harbour. The first lighthouse was built in 1867 and lit in April 1868. Destroyed in 1944, it was rebuilt in 1948. The current tower is 36.60 m high. Its fixed green directional light is visible 25 miles away. It works in line with the Grand Jardin for the Petite Porte channel and with Les Bas-Sablons for the inner channel. The keeper’s post was abolished in 1975 and the lighthouse is now remote-controlled.
What you will see
- Status in 2026: a working, automated, remote-controlled lighthouse.
- Visits: closed to visitors, outside viewing only.
- Height: 36.60 m, according to the regional maritime authority (DIRM).
- Range: 25 nautical miles.
- Light: a fixed green directional light.
- Construction: the first lighthouse was built in 1867; the current one was rebuilt in 1948.
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- First lit: 15 April 1868; the rebuilt lighthouse was relit in January 1948.
- Automation: the keeper’s post was abolished in 1975.
- Heritage: a listed heritage lighthouse, still used for navigation.
- With children: yes, for a short heritage stop.
- History: the lighthouse guides ships into Saint-Malo harbour along two different leading lines.
- The top stands more than 74 m above chart datum, according to the DIRM.
- The first light ran on vegetable oil, then mineral oil, then paraffin.
- The lighthouse was electrified in 1926.
- The Sylédis radio navigation system was removed in 2000.
- Transport: reachable by Saint-Malo’s town buses.
Practical information
- Public transport
- Reachable by Saint-Malo’s town buses.
- Opening
- The outside can be seen all year; the inside is closed
- Parking
- Town parking in the district; do not block local access
- Accessibility
- Outside viewing possible from the street, depending on the spot.
- Best time
- During the day, to understand the location and the leading lines.
- Prices
- Free to see from outside
- Nearby
- Les Bas-Sablons, the Cité d’Alet, the Tour Solidor, Intra-Muros
Tips on the spot
- Check the visit status on the day before you travel, and do not confuse access to the site, the foot of the lighthouse and the inside of the tower.
- For a lighthouse open to visitors, check the time of the last climb, not just the closing time.
- For a lighthouse at sea, only watch it from a boat run by a professional or from a safe viewpoint on land.
- Bring a windproof layer, even in summer; stairs and galleries can be slippery with rain or spray.
- With children, check the number of steps and any minimum age; with vertigo, the climb to the gallery is not for everyone.
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- Working lighthouses are maritime safety equipment: respect all restricted technical areas.
- For photos, use a wide angle at the foot of the lighthouse and a telephoto lens for lighthouses seen from a distance.
- On an island, check the last boat back before starting the visit.
- On cliffs, stay behind the barriers and on the paths; keep dogs on a lead in nature reserves.
- Visits can be cancelled at the last minute for safety reasons.
- Look for the line towards Les Bas-Sablons to understand the inner leading line.
- Do not come expecting to climb the tower: the lighthouse is closed.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of lighthouse is it?
An onshore leading light.
Is the lighthouse still in service?
Yes, it is working, automated and remote-controlled.
How high is it?
36.60 m, according to the DIRM.
What is its range?
25 nautical miles.
What is the light pattern?
A fixed directional light.
What colour is the light?
Green.
Stay in Saint-Malo
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Read in the journal
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- CalendarRoute du Rhum 2026: how to follow the startSunday 1 November at 1:02pm: the start of the Route du Rhum live on TV, on the radio, at the Saint-Malo village, in the cinema, from the coast or at sea.
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Photograph: Rundvald · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons