Year first lit 1950 (current) Height 19 m Year first constructed 1862 (first) | Construction concrete tower Automated 1990 | |
 | ||
Location Île d'Yeu
Vendée
France Tower shape octagonal prism tower with balcony and lantern Markings / pattern white tower, red lantern Focal height 25.9 metres (85 ft) (current) Similar Île d'Yeu lighthouse, Fort de Pierre‑Levée, Vieux‑château de l'Île d'Yeu, Pointe du Grouin du Cou light, L'Armendèche lighthouse | ||
The Pointe des Corbeaux lighthouse is a French lighthouse, located on the eponymous point on the Île d'Yeu. Located at the extreme southwestern end of the island, it was constructed in 1950 to replace an earlier tower destroyed during World War II. Along with the Île d'Yeu lighthouse, it is one of two lighthouses on the island to have been designed by Maurice Durand; construction of both was completed in the same year.
Contents
- Map of Phare de la Pointe des Corbeaux La Pointe des Corbeaux 85350 LC38Ele dYeu France
- Design
- History
- References
Map of Phare de la Pointe des Corbeaux, La Pointe des Corbeaux, 85350 L'%C3%8Ele-d'Yeu, France
Design
The Pointe des Corbeaux lighthouse is 62 feet tall, and is an octagonal prism concrete structure with lantern and gallery attached to one-storey keeper's dwelling. The tower and gallery are white, while the lantern is red. The lighthouse shows a series of three red flashes, in a two-one pattern, every fifteen seconds. Attached to the tower is a keeper's dwelling, which with several other annexes completes the station.
History
The first lighthouse on the point was lit on September 1, 1862. A small tourelle encased in masonry, it stood 38 feet tall, and was based on plans provided by the state. Its life was very uneventful; it was converted to different sorts of power on numerous occasions, at various times running on vegetable and mineral oil and gas vapor. This lighthouse lasted until being destroyed by retreating German troops on August 25, 1944. Reconstruction of the tower was completed in 1950 to Durand's design. This lighthouse was automated in 1990, and remains an active aid to navigation; it currently shows a halogen-powered signal.
Today the lighthouse is controlled from the station at the Île d'Yeu lighthouse; it can be seen both from land and from water, but cannot be visited by the public. Another, smaller aid to navigation, a post light attached to a short stone base, is also located on the point.