Tour du Commerce, Bonne-Anse, Saint-Nazaire: lighthouse in Brittany

In Saint-Nazaire, a tower over 30 metres high, descended from an 18th-century daymark, fitted with a light in 1830 and replaced by Kerlédé in 1897.

Suggested time: 30 minutes to 1 hour from outside, more during a heritage visit
Type of place: Historic former leading light
Atmosphere: Urban, historic, industrial and maritime
Getting there: Bonne-Anse district, Saint-Nazaire. The building belongs to the City. It is not open to the public every day: any visits depend on the heritage programme.

Who this place suits

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

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 Tour du Commerce, also called the Bonne-Anse lighthouse, is one of the most unusual witnesses to Saint-Nazaire’s maritime history. The first structure was built around 1757 by the naval engineer Mangin. At the time, it was only a daymark without a light, meant to help sailors find the entrance to the Loire. A lantern was installed in 1830, producing a white light with eclipses every two minutes. As the channel changed, this first signal became inadequate and the lighthouse was rebuilt about a century after the original structure, a few metres further north. A keepers’ house was also built, then raised around 1887. The tower then formed part of a real network of leading lights: by day and by night, these signals made a route of light to guide ships through an ever-changing estuary. In 1897, the Kerlédé lighthouse replaced the Tour du Commerce, as a result of the new shape of the channel and the modernisation of the port. The tower is therefore a disused former lighthouse, but remarkably well preserved. Over thirty metres high, with about 150 steps, it has kept a watch room, a service room, wooden furniture and a marble floor. The City of Saint-Nazaire bought it in 2020 to safeguard it and plan its restoration and showcasing. From the top, when access is possible during a heritage event, the view stretches to the Guérande peninsula, Préfailles and sometimes Noirmoutier.

What you will see

Site type: historic former leading light.
Visits: no regular open visits; occasional openings depending on the programme.
Height: over 30 m.
Steps: about 150.
First daymark: around 1757.
First light: 1830.

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Replaced: in 1897, by the Kerlédé lighthouse.
Historic role: leading light for the shipping channel.
Owner: the City of Saint-Nazaire since 2020.
Around 1757: a first daymark is built by the naval engineer Mangin.
1830: a lantern is installed, producing a white light with eclipses.
Growing traffic and a changing channel make the first set-up inadequate.
The lighthouse is rebuilt a few metres further north, with a keepers’ house nearby.
Around 1887: the keepers’ house is raised.
The tower has kept its interior fittings despite being disused.
2020: bought by the City of Saint-Nazaire to safeguard it; a restoration and showcasing programme is planned.
Combine with: the Kerlédé lighthouse, the Saint-Nazaire seafront, Ville-Port, Escal’Atlantic, the submarine base, the Ville-ès-Martin lighthouse.

Practical information

Accessibility: The historic architecture and the 150 or so steps make the top hard to reach. Access conditions will depend on any future opening to the public.
Best time: Morning or late afternoon, in clear weather.
Photography: The tower suits urban shots showing the contrast between old maritime heritage and the modern town; a rare climb to the top offers a remarkable view

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.
Watch the City’s heritage programme for a rare chance to climb the tower.
Combine it with the Kerlédé lighthouse, which replaced it in 1897.

Frequently asked questions

Can I visit the tower?

There are no regular open visits; occasional openings depend on the City’s heritage programme.

How much time should I allow?

30 minutes to 1 hour from outside, more during a heritage visit.

What is the main interest?

Discovering a rare former urban leading light, a witness to the constant changes of Saint-Nazaire’s shipping channel.

How can I take good photos?

Frame the tower against the modern town; a rare climb to the top offers a remarkable view.

Is there any particular risk?

Respect the enclosure and the opening conditions. Never try to enter outside an authorised visit.

Is the tower still in use?

No, the Kerlédé lighthouse replaced it in 1897.

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