GATTEVILLE
The lighthouse
02 33 23 17 97
http://www.pharedegatteville.com
The Gatteville lighthouse, which is 75 metres high, is the 2nd highest lighthouse in France after the one on Ile Vierge, off the Finistère coast. It took five years to build, from 1829 to 1834. Under Charles X it was the biggest building site in France.
The building of this "stone altar" required 11,000 hand-carved granite blocks. All the stones, stacked without scaffolding, weigh 7,400 tons.
After climbing a 365-step staircase lit by 52 windows, visitors can admire the magnificent view of Val de Saire and the English Channel as well as the lighthouse lantern.
Equipped with a 1,600 watt lamp with a double-optical system that can be used to increase the light power during foggy weather, the Gatteville lighthouse has a range of approximately 50km.
At nights, its four light beams form a gigantic X that turns regularly and guides navigators in the Seine bay and the English Channel in any weather. To the north, its beam crosses the beam of the Saint Catherine lighthouse on the Isle of Wight and to the east, the Cap de la Hève lighthouse in le Havre.
Open every day (except during strong winds and storms):
- February, November and December: 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm
- March and October: 10am-12pm and 2pm-5pm
- April and September: 10am-12pm and 2pm-6pm
- From May until August: 10am-12pm and 2pm-7pm
Closed from mid-November to the end of January and the 1st of May
Open during the Christmas holiday except for 25 December
Information: +33 (0)2 33 23 17 97