Lighthouse
La Banche Lighthouse
Large de La Baule / Saint-Nazaire · Loire-Atlantique
A 30.30 m offshore lighthouse built in 1865 on the Roche du Turc, with a 107 m jetty, a two-flash light and a range of up to 15 nautical miles.
- Suggested time
- An outside view, depending on the viewpoint or boat trip.
- Type of place
- Lighthouse
- Atmosphere
- Maritime, isolated and steeped in heritage.
- Getting there
- Offshore lighthouse, not open to visitors. View it from the coast or during an organised boat trip.
Who this place suits
- With family
- 2/10
- As a couple
- 10/10
- With friends
- 9/10
- Solo
- 8/10
- With a dog
- 1/10
- Reduced mobility
- 1/10
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 Banche lighthouse stands west of the mouth of the Loire, on the Roche du Turc, in the south-eastern part of the Banche plateau. It was first lit on 15 August 1865, after building work carried out over three short seasons, made possible by the plateau drying out widely at low tide. Its slightly tapered tower reaches 30.30 m. The current light gives two grouped flashes every 6 seconds, with a range of 15 nautical miles in the white sector and 11.5 in the red sector. The lighthouse and its jetty have been listed as historic monuments since 2011.
What you will see
- Name: La Banche lighthouse.
- Town or area: offshore from Saint-Nazaire.
- Height: 30.30 m.
- Steps: not relevant, no public visits.
- Range: 15 nautical miles in the white sector, 11.5 in the red sector.
- Light: two grouped flashes every 6 seconds.
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- Colour: white and red, depending on the sector.
- Construction: decided in 1862, completed for the first lighting in 1865.
- First lit: 15 August 1865.
- Automation: electrified and automated in 1986.
- Heritage: the lighthouse and its jetty have been listed historic monuments since 2 December 2011.
- With children: viewing from a boat, depending on sea conditions.
- History: the lighthouse was built because so many ships ran aground on the Banche plateau.
- The access jetty is 107 m long.
- A temporary railway was used to carry stones during the building work.
- The work involved barges, a steam sloop and large rowing boats.
- The tower was given black and white bands in 1893, to avoid confusion with Le Grand Charpentier.
- A foghorn was installed in 1907.
- A fire destroyed the top of the lighthouse in 1935, after a flashback.
- The optic was removed in August 1944 and the light relit in July 1945.
- The sound signal was removed when the lighthouse was automated.
- Transport: viewing by boat or from the Saint-Nazaire coast.
Practical information
- Public transport
- Viewing by boat or from the Saint-Nazaire coast.
- Services
- No services at the lighthouse
- Opening
- No public access inside
- Parking
- Not applicable at the lighthouse.
- Pets
- Depends on the boat operator
- Accessibility
- No public access to the lighthouse
- Safety
- Never try to land on your own
- Best time
- Good visibility and a calm sea
- Photography
- Very striking at sea, with its distinctive silhouette
- Prices
- No lighthouse visits; boat trips, where available, are paid
- Ideal for
- Lighthouse lovers, maritime photographers, engineering history buffs
- Nearby
- The Loire estuary, Saint-Nazaire, Le Grand Charpentier, the Côte de Jade
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.
- Never plan to land on your own.
- For photos, bring a telephoto lens, from the coast or a boat.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of lighthouse is it?
An offshore lighthouse on a rocky plateau.
Is the lighthouse still in service?
Yes, it is an automated working lighthouse.
How high is it?
30.30 m.
What is its range?
15 nautical miles in the white sector, 11.5 in the red sector.
What is the light pattern?
Two grouped flashes every 6 seconds.
What colour is the light?
White and red, depending on the sector.
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Traveller reviews
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Photograph: Julien cantin · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons