The lighthouse was designed by engineer Léonce Reynaud.
It replaced a structure designed by the famous military engineer Vauban in the 17th century.
The light beam has a range of approximately 50 kilometers in clear weather.
The octagonal design was specifically chosen to distinguish it from other cylindrical lighthouses in the region.
The nearby 1682 lighthouse was decommissioned after the 1854 tower became operational.
The site sits on a point where the current is often described as treacherous for sailors.
The original tower is still standing and is classified as a historical monument.
The lighthouse is automated and does not require a permanent lightkeeper on-site.
Phare des Baleines is a 57-meter-tall octagonal lighthouse located at the western tip of the Île de Ré in France. Completed in 1854 to replace the original 1682 lighthouse built by Vauban, it remains one of the tallest lighthouses in France. The structure is built from local limestone and is topped by a lantern room featuring a Fresnel lens. The site includes the original 17th-century lighthouse tower, which is preserved as a historical monument. Visitors can climb 257 steps to the gallery for views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Pertuis d'Antioche strait. The complex also houses a small maritime museum and a shop within the surrounding grounds. Its name, 'Lighthouse of the Whales,' refers to the frequent strandings of whales that historically occurred on the rocky reefs nearby.
The base of the tower looking upward captures the scale, while the balcony offers the best wide-angle shots of the coastline.
Wear comfortable, flat shoes to safely navigate the 257 spiral staircase steps.
Bring a windproof jacket, as the observation gallery is exposed to strong coastal gusts even on sunny days.
Visit the small maritime museum on-site to understand the engineering history before climbing the tower.
Do not attempt the climb if you have mobility issues or claustrophobia, as the staircase is narrow and steep.
Open daily throughout the year, but the tower may close temporarily during extreme weather conditions such as high wind alerts.
