The original 1860 lighthouse was demolished after encroaching sea levels reduced its distance from the shoreline to only 150 meters.
The light's signal is visible to ships at a range of up to 52 kilometers.
It is one of the tallest lighthouses in France, standing significantly higher than its predecessors in the region.
The lighthouse is located within the Forêt de la Coubre, a massive maritime pine plantation.
The rotating lens assembly is mounted on a mercury bath to reduce friction during rotation.
The Lighthouse of La Coubre is a 64-meter-tall active maritime beacon situated on the Pointe de la Coubre in La Tremblade. The current tower was constructed between 1904 and 1905 to replace an earlier structure destroyed by coastal erosion. Its distinctive red and white spiraling exterior serves as a visual marker for ships entering the Gironde Estuary. Visitors can ascend 300 steps to reach the gallery for panoramic views of the Côte Sauvage and the Atlantic Ocean. The site includes an on-site museum detailing the history of local maritime signaling and the lighthouse's technical evolution. It remains a functional navigation aid, emitting a white flash every five seconds. The structure is built from reinforced concrete, making it an early example of this construction method in French lighthouse architecture.
From the base of the tower looking up to emphasize the red and white spiral, or from the upper gallery for horizon vistas.
Wear sturdy, comfortable footwear as the climb involves 300 steep, narrow stone steps.
Visit on a clear day to see the entire Gironde Estuary and the island of Oléron from the observation deck.
Bring windproof clothing, as the gallery level experiences high-velocity winds even on calm days.
Do not attempt the climb if you have mobility issues or claustrophobia, as the staircase is confined.
Closed for annual maintenance during short periods in winter; operations may be suspended during extreme weather conditions.
Visitors must follow safety instructions during the climb; no running on stairs.
