Everything you need to know about the Contis lighthouse, the only lighthouse in the Landes!
Nestled in the south of the Landes region, just 30 minutes from the EUROSOL campsite ****, Soustons is a small, unspoilt corner of paradise that’s a must-see. Here, swimming, water sports, fishing, tree climbing and cycling are all part and parcel of a Landes vacation.
What makes this lighthouse so special?
Firstly, it is the one and only lighthouse on the Côte d’Argent, built between the Cap-Ferret lighthouse(Gironde) to the north and the Biarritz lighthouse(Pyrénées-Atlantiques) to the south. Its distinguishing feature is its black and white stripes in the shape of a double Archimedean screw. Originally entirely white, it was painted with two black stripes in 1924, by the painter Bellocq in 1937, to serve as a landmark for daytime navigation.
Classified as a historic monument in 2009, it belongs to the family of lighthouses known as “barber’s poles”, named after the barber shops in the USA. There are only two other identical lighthouses in the world: Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in North Carolina and St. Augustine Lighthouse in Florida.
Where is the Contis lighthouse?
The Contis lighthouse is located in the commune of Saint-Julien-en-Born, equidistant from Mimizan and Biarritz. It marks the border between the Pays de Born to the north and the Marensin to the south. From the Eurosol campsite in Vielle Saint Girons, it takes around 25 minutes by car to reach this landmark of the Landes region.
Is the Contis lighthouse still in operation?
Built in 1862 by decree of Napoleon III and commissioned the following year, the Contis lighthouse is still in operation today. However, it has not been manned since 1999, when the two lighthouse keepers left and the lighthouse was automated. It is remotely controlled from the port of Bayonne.
Firepower?
The Contis lighthouse emits a light signal with a range of 23 nautical miles, or around 43 km. Its light is equipped with a Fresnel lens, with a power of 180 W. It emits a white flash every 25 seconds.
Height and number of steps?
The Contis lighthouse stands 41.50 m high. To reach the top, you have to climb a spiral staircase with 192 steps. It’s a bit of a challenge, but the effort is rewarded with one of the finest views of the Landes coastline.
What about the view?
From the top of the lighthouse, you can enjoy a 360° panorama, with the blue of the Atlantic Ocean on one side, the green of the Landes forest on the other. And in the middle, the Contis estuary and the Sable Blanc plain.
How much does it cost?
A visit to the Contis lighthouse costs €3 per person, children aged 3 to 12 €1, and children under 3 are free. The lighthouse is open to the public from April to the end of September. Storytelling tours are organized in summer.