The Whale Lighthouse

The historic Île de Ré lighthouse

Your camping vacation on the Ile de Ré will be the perfect opportunity to visit the sites and buildings that are the pride of the Retais. Among the must-sees is the emblematic Baleines lighthouse, whose long silhouette stands facing the Atlantic at the western end of the island. The Baleines site comprises buildings of different ages: the old tower, built on the orders of Minister Colbert in 1669, was a strategic maritime observatory, providing advanced protection for the fledgling Rochefort arsenal. When inventor Fresnel developed his lens in the 19ᵉ century, the tower proved too low to accommodate the equipment. It was therefore decided to build the new Baleines lighthouse. Lit in 1954, this 59-metre lighthouse is part of a major program to mark the French coastline. Opposite it, two kilometers offshore, the Baleineaux lighthouse was simultaneously built, a smaller structure also equipped with Fresnel optics and still in service. An octagonal tower built from local limestone, the Baleineaux lighthouse is a beacon of the first order, whose range of over 50 km is still essential to navigation.

The Phare des Baleines, a must-see on the Ile de Ré

The Baleines site is a must-see on the island, and includes the Baleines lighthouse and its panoramic summit, the old Baleines tower, the museum, the store and the romantic 2-hectare English-style landscaped park. On this timeless site, you'll have several opportunities to admire breathtaking scenery: 60 metres above the ground at the top of the 1854 lighthouse, and at the very tip of the island at the top of the 30-metre old tower, facing the ocean. From these heights, the water reveals its varied hues, the fish locks come into view, the fields and marshes form a mosaic of soft shades of green, and the village, in the distance, looks like a fine miniature. The museum tells the fascinating story of lighthouses and their technical evolution. Designed to appeal to all ages, the museography was created in collaboration with Jamy, the famous science presenter on the TV show " C'est pas sorcier ". So don't hesitate to bring the whole family! From how GPS works to the job of a lighthouse keeper, the history of waymarking will soon have no secrets for you.

Prices, opening hours and practical information for the Phare des Baleines

Whether or not you're brave enough to climb the 257 steps up to the lighthouse, the Baleines site is an emblematic site not to be missed during your stay on the Ile de Ré. Just 25 minutes from the Slow Village campsite, you'll have the chance to stroll through the magnificent landscaped park, visit a fascinating museum with your family, and enjoy a unique panorama, surrounded by the ocean. At the entrance to the site, fashion, souvenir and gourmet stores invite you to stroll before or after your visit. Open all year round and every day without interruption, the whale site closes at 9 pm in summer, at 7 pm from 1ᵉʳ April to the end of June, and at 5:30 pm from October to March. It's possible to buy a ticket to visit the large lighthouse alone (4.35 euros adult rate and 2.85 euros child rate), or opt for group tickets: old tower and museum (from 5.50 to 10.60 euros), or triptych lighthouse, old tower and museum (7.65 to 13 euros). If you're looking for peace and quiet, it's best to visit at off-peak times, when there are fewer visitors: from 9 to 11 a.m. in the morning, from 1 to 2 p.m. in the afternoon, or from 6.30 to 9 p.m. at the end of the day in summer. Your summit experience will be all the better for it.

Book your camping holiday on the Ile de Ré and start planning your visit to the iconic lighthouse!

More information on the official website of the Baleines lighthouse: https: //lepharedesbaleines.fr/

Photo credit: Kilohn limahn, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons