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- Cordouan, “lighthouse of kings and king of lighthouses”
Cordouan, “lighthouse of kings and king of lighthouses”
It has kept watch over the Gironde Estuary for centuries and is Europe’s oldest lighthouse.
Built in 1584 by the architect Louis de Foix, on the site of an earlier lighthouse erected by the Moors of Cordoba (hence the name Cordouan), this 68-metre high sentinel of the seas comprises six Renaissance-style storeys, and is also remarkable for its chapel, which is dedicated to King Louis XIV.
You get to the lighthouse, which stands 7 km out to sea, from Le Verdon port, aboard the motor launch “La Bohême” – the crossing takes 30 minutes.
You can round off your excursion with a visit to the Musée du Phare de Cordouan et des Phares et Balises, a lighthouse and buoy museum where plans, models and a wide range of photographic documents relating to the Cordouan Lighthouse are on exhibition. The museum also contains a considerable amount of material on maritime signposting.
The Cordouan Lighthouse can be visited from April to October.
Departures from Pointe de Grave aboard the motor launch “La Bohême II”, captained by Richard Grass (99 passengers – reservation required)
Duration of excursion: around 4 hours
Duration of crossing: around 30 minutes
Possibility of fishing by hand during periods of extreme tidal range
Picnic supplied upon request (supplementary charge).
Watch out – you’ll get your feet wet disembarking!
+33 5 56 09 62 93 or +33 6 09 73 30 84
contact@vedette-laboheme.com
www.vedettelaboheme.com
Other information:
Le Verdon Tourist Office
+33 5 56 09 61 78
tourismeleverdon-sur-mer@wanadoo.fr
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Activities and leisure facilitiesVedettes La Bohême II et III
Visite du Phare de Cordouan, promenades et pêche en mer. Excursions pour groupes.
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