The lighthouse features exactly 365 steps, matching the number of days in a year.
It was designed by the engineer Charles-Félix Morice de La Rue.
The light is visible from a distance of approximately 29 nautical miles (54 kilometers).
The granite used in construction was transported from the nearby Fermanville quarries.
The lighthouse is automated but continues to be monitored by maritime authorities.
The gallery platform provides a clear view of the Îles Saint-Marcouf on a sunny day.
The Gatteville Lighthouse is the second-tallest lighthouse in France and one of the tallest traditional lighthouses in the world, standing at 75 meters. Constructed between 1829 and 1834, it is built entirely of locally quarried granite from the Val de Saire region. Visitors can ascend 365 steps to reach the gallery for panoramic views of the English Channel and the Cotentin Peninsula. The lighthouse is an active navigational aid, featuring a rotating light beam that flashes every five seconds. It replaced an earlier 18th-century structure that was deemed insufficient for navigating the dangerous Raz de Barfleur passage. The site includes a keeper's house and historical administrative buildings maintained as part of its heritage status.
From the coastal path leading up to the base, which allows you to frame the entire height of the granite tower against the sky.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes to safely navigate the steep spiral staircase.
Bring a windproof jacket, as the observation gallery is consistently exposed to strong coastal winds.
Check the local weather forecast specifically for visibility, as heavy mist often obscures the view from the top.
Attempting the climb if you have significant knee or heart issues, as there are no elevators.
Open daily from spring through autumn, with limited or no access during mid-winter months.
