The lighthouse is constructed from reinforced concrete, one of the earliest examples of this material being used for navigational towers in France.
The lighthouse has a range of approximately 17 nautical miles under clear weather conditions.
During World War II, the lighthouse was modified by the German military to serve as an observation post, though it survived the liberation of Normandy largely intact.
The signature black and white stripes are specifically designed to make the lighthouse highly visible against the sky during daylight hours.
It is situated on the left bank of the Orne river estuary, which connects the English Channel to the port of Caen.
The lantern room retains its original rotating lens mechanism, though it has been electrified to comply with modern maritime safety standards.
The Lighthouse of Ouistreham is a 38-meter tall white cylindrical tower with black horizontal stripes, positioned near the mouth of the Orne River. It serves as a navigational aid for vessels entering the Caen Canal. The current structure, completed in 1905, replaced a series of earlier wooden and stone beacons dating back to the 18th century. The lighthouse is characterized by its 171 granite steps leading to the lantern room. It remains an active light, utilizing a fixed white light with a red sector to guide ships through the channel entrance. The structure is built on a concrete foundation designed to withstand coastal erosion and shifting sands. It serves as an iconic maritime symbol for the Normandy coastline near Sword Beach.
From the beach at low tide to capture the full height of the lighthouse with the channel in the foreground.
Check the local tourism office website to confirm if climbing access is permitted during your specific travel dates.
Visit during low tide to explore the expansive sandy beach adjacent to the lighthouse base.
Combine your visit with a walk along the promenade towards the nearby Casino de Ouistreham.
Do not attempt to climb the tower if you have mobility issues or a fear of heights, as the interior stairs are steep and narrow.
Climbing access is typically limited to the summer season and specific heritage days; it is generally closed during the winter months.
