Kerlédé Lighthouse: visit, history and practical information

An inland lighthouse brought into service in 1897, about 800 m from the coast, used until 1981 in the former leading lights of the Loire.

Suggested time: 15 to 30 minutes.
Type of place: Lighthouse
Atmosphere: Urban, unusual and heritage-rich.
Getting there: Route de la Côte d’Amour, Saint-Nazaire. Seen from outside 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 Kerlédé lighthouse stands in Saint-Nazaire, about 800 m inland. Brought into service in 1897, it was part of a line of leading lights for the old Loire channel. This use ended in 1981. The lighthouse is now closed to visitors, but its setting in the middle of town remains very unusual.

What you will see

Town: Saint-Nazaire, Loire-Atlantique.
Status: a former leading light, out of use since 1981.
Visits: closed to visitors.
In service from 1897.
Light: a former leading light.
With children: yes.

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Heritage: a 19th-century lighthouse, part of the local heritage.
History: a former leading light for the old Loire channel.
It stands about 800 m from the coast.
Bus line H2 stops about 250 m away.
It is an example of an inland lighthouse.

Practical information

Public transport: Bus line H2, Le Phare stop, about 250 m away.
Services: Town services nearby
Opening: Visible from outside all year
Parking: Street parking nearby
Accessibility: Good outdoor access, depending on the pavements
Best time: Daytime, to understand its setting
Photography: Interesting in its urban setting
Prices: Free to see from outside
Nearby: The Aiguillon lighthouse, the seafront, Villès-Martin beach

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.
Combine it with a walk along the Saint-Nazaire seafront.
Take bus line H2 to the Le Phare stop.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of lighthouse is it?

A former inland leading light.

Is the lighthouse still in service?

No, its role as a leading light ended in 1981.

Can I visit the lighthouse?

No, it is closed to visitors.

When was it built?

It came into service in 1897.

Why is it so far from the sea?

It was part of a line of leading lights for the old Loire channel.

How do I get there by bus?

Take line H2 to the Le Phare stop, about 250 m away.

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Photograph: Whiteredge · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons