Grand Charpentier Lighthouse, Large de Saint-Nazaire: lighthouse in Brittany

A 27.35 m granite tower lit in 1888 on the first reefs of the Loire channel, off Saint-Nazaire.

Suggested time: 30 min to 1 h from a viewpoint
Type of place: Lighthouse at sea, listed as a historic monument
Atmosphere: Oceanic, industrial, historic and technical
Getting there: A lighthouse at sea off Saint-Nazaire, near the entrance to the estuary. Seen from the coast, especially around Chémoulin, or from a boat.

Who this place suits

With family: 7/10
As a couple: 8/10
With friends: 8/10
Solo: 9/10
With a dog: 6/10
Reduced mobility: 3/10

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 Grand Charpentier is closely linked to the maritime growth of Saint-Nazaire. When major dredging of the channel began in 1884, stronger signalling was needed where ships coming from the open sea met the first reefs. A granite lighthouse from Batz-sur-Mer was decided on that same year and entrusted to the Renaud company. Its shape follows the principle of La Banche lighthouse: a very flared base with a concave profile, designed for a firm footing and to reduce the impact of the waves. A small railway was even laid on the construction jetty to carry the cut stones. The lighthouse was lit on 16 January 1888. The tower now stands 27.35 metres high, and its quick-flashing light has six white, red and green sectors, with a range of 14 miles in white and 10.5 miles in the coloured sectors. Evacuated and switched off in October 1940, it was relit in August 1945. It was automated in 1969, but keepers stayed until 1972. A helicopter platform installed in the 1960s was dismantled in 1987. The lighthouse has been a listed historic monument since 2011 and cannot be visited.

What you will see

Type of site: lighthouse at sea, listed as a historic monument.
Visits: not open to visitors.
Height: 27.35 m.
Light: quick-flashing, with six white, red and green sectors.
Range: 14 miles in white, 10.5 miles in red and green.
Optic: Horizon, 0.25 m focal length.

Show 8 more points

1884: start of major dredging of the Loire channel.
Built of granite from Batz-sur-Mer, on principles close to La Banche lighthouse.
16 January 1888: the lighthouse is lit.
19 October 1940: evacuated and switched off; relit on 13 August 1945.
1954: a wind generator is installed.
1967: first helicopter landing on the summit platform, dismantled in 1987.
1969: automation; the last keepers leave in 1972.
22 November 2011: listed as a historic monument.

Practical information

Pets: Depends on the coastal viewpoint chosen
Accessibility: No access to the lighthouse; some viewpoints on the Saint-Nazaire seafront are accessible
With family: Interesting from the coast, together with a visit to the port and shipyards
Safety: Never try to approach the lighthouse except on a professional or suitable boat; rocky banks and commercial traffic make the area demanding
Best time: Clear weather, calm sea and good visibility
Photography: Best when cargo ships or LNG carriers use the channel; a telephoto lens is recommended from the coast
Nearby: The Pointe de Chémoulin, Saint-Nazaire, the Loire estuary, La Banche lighthouse, the Saint-Nazaire seafront, Escal’Atlantic

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.

Show 7 more tips

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.
Watch for a large ship using the channel for a striking photo.
Combine the view with a visit to Escal’Atlantic or the shipyards.

Frequently asked questions

Can I visit the Grand Charpentier lighthouse?

No. It is a lighthouse at sea off Saint-Nazaire, to be seen from the coast, especially around Chémoulin, or from a boat.

How much time should I allow?

30 min to 1 h from a viewpoint.

What is the main interest of the site?

Reading the ocean entrance of the Loire estuary through a lighthouse designed to guide ships along the channel of Saint-Nazaire.

What is the atmosphere like?

Oceanic, industrial, historic and technical.

When is the best time for photos?

When cargo ships or LNG carriers use the channel; a telephoto lens is recommended from the coast.

Is there any particular risk?

Do not try to approach the lighthouse except on a professional or suitable boat: rocky banks and commercial traffic make the area demanding.

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Photograph: Whiteredge · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons