Hoek Van Holland Low, Maritime Museum, Rotterdam, Netherlands

This lighthouse, formerly the Hoek Van Holland Low (Range Front) Lighthouse was originally built in 1900 and was the front range light at Hoek Van Holland (Hook of Holland). With the development of the Europort and Maasvlakte the light was deactivated in 1967.  It was moved in 1977 and currently is on display at the Het Havenmuseum (Maritime Museum) in the Leuvehaven area of Rotterdam a short distance from the beautiful Erasmus Bridge over the Nieuwe Maas. Photos taken in April 2013.

Le Becquet Feu Postérieur, Le Becquet, Normandy, France

This is the rear light at the small harbour of Le Becquet which is located approximately 5 km east of the City of Cherbourg, France. Date of construction is unknown. The bottom photo again shows the close proximity to the antérieur light. Photos taken in April 2013.

Le Becquet Feu Antérieur, Le Becquet, Normandy, France

This is the front of two lights positioned closely together adjacent to the small harbour at Le Becquet in Normandy, France. The harbour is located approximately 5 km east of the City of Cherbourg. The bottom photo shows the proximity to the postérieur light. Photos taken in April 2013.

Phare du Cap Lévi, Fremanville, Normandy, France

The station at this point of land (Cap Lévi) which is a short distance from Fermanville, France on La Manche (English Channel) was established in 1858. The lighthouse was destroyed by fighting shortly after D-Day in WWII. The current light was built in 1948 following the war. The unusual design with concave walls was created by architects Levavasseur et Chauliat.  It is a beautiful light and well worth the visit. Photos taken in April 2013.

Phare de Gatteville (Pointe de Barfleur), Barfleur, Normandy, France

The Gatteville Lighthouse at 236' in height is the third tallest lighthouse in the world. It sits on a windswept point of land 2 km. north of the village of Barfleur, France. The light was built in 1835 and was originally called the Phare de Barfleur, but the name was changed to Phare de Gatteville in the late 1800's. It has the distinction of being the first lighthouse that was relit following liberation in WWII. Beside it you can see the 88' granite tower that was the original lighthouse (Pointe de Barfleur Lighthouse) built on the site in 1780 and deactivated in 1835 following construction of the current light. In 1997 the light opened as a lighthouse museum. During days open to the public, one can climb the 365 steps up to the gallery. Unfortunately the rainy and windy day that I visited the lighthouse had closed for the day. Photos taken in April 2013.

Trying to stay upright in the wind to take the picture!

Barfleur Postérieur Lighthouse, Barfleur, Normandy, France

This light dates to 1844 and is a tower attached to the rear of the keepers house. It is situated at the far south end of the harbour at Barfleur, France. Photos were taken on a windy rainy afternoon in April 2013.

Barfleur Antérieur Lighthouse, Barfleur, Normanday, France

This light sits on the south east side of the harbour at Barfleur, France. It dates to 1844 and is easily accessible. Photos taken in April 2013.

Phare de la Pointe de Saire, Réville, Normandy, France

Constructed in 1836 this light sits on Pointe de Saire near Réville, France. It is a tower atop a stone keepers building and the complex is surrounded by a stone wall. It is one of many lights along this rugged coast of  La Manche (English Channel) in Normandy. Photos taken in April 2013.

Feu de Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, Normandy, France

This light sits on a breakwater in the harbour at Saint-Vaast-la-Hogue, Normandy, France. This light dates to 1865 although there was a station established here in approximately 1850.  It is a cast iron tourelles, similar to the west jetty light at Trouville. It is one of the oldest of this type remaining. Photos taken in April 2013.

Port-en-Bessin Antérieur Lighthouse, Port-en-Bessin, Normandy, France

This light sits on the hillside overlooking the harbour at Port-en-Bessin below the Port-en-Bessin Postérieur light. It is a fairly basic light with a fog signal nearby. The light was established in 1905. Photos taken in April 2013.

 

Port-en-Bessin Postérieur Lighthouse, Port-en-Bessin, Normandy, France

The Port-en-Bessin Postérieur Lighthouse is situated on a hill overlooking the harbour at Port-en-Bessin, France. The light which dates to 1854 is unusual as it protrudes from the center of the keeper's house and is not in a tower. If attempting to visit the light, be aware that the streets leading up to the house are narrow and slightly confusing.  The light remains active.  Photos taken in April 2013.

Vers-Sur-Mer Lighthouse, Vers-Sur-Mer, Normandy, France

The Vers-Sur-Mer Lighthouse sits in a residential area of the town of Vers-Sur-Mer on a hill that overlooks Juno Beach.  It is at the West end of Juno Beach and just east of Gold Beach. The light was built in 1908 and remains active today. The area was liberated fairly quickly after D-Day by British and Canadian troops, but the lighthouse sustained significant damage during the fighting and was restored after WWII. The grounds of the lighthouse are closed to the public, however it can be viewed easily from the street below. Photos taken in April 2013.

Ouistreham Lighthouse, Ouistreham, Normandy, France

The tall (121') Ouistreham Lighthouse sits on the Quai Thierry near the mouth of the Orne River and adjacent to the set of locks of the Caen canal.  It is easy to park in the town of Ouistreham and walk across the locks to the tower. The light was built in 1905.  It's location was near the east end of the D-Day beaches and the area was liberated by British Troops on June 6, 1944 preventing the occupying German troops from destroying it. The light remains active and was believed to have been automated in 1993.  Photos were taken in April 2013.

Jetée de l´Ouest (West Jetty), Trouville-Sur-Mer, Normandy, France

This lighthouse is at the end of the west jetty at the entrance to the harbour at Trouville-Sur-Mer, France. It is the original lighthouse from 1875 and is one of the few surviving cast iron lighthouses from the 1800's. The bottom photo shows its proximity to the Jetée de l´Est Lighthouse which was constructed in the 1950's and was a copy of the west jetty light. Photos taken in April 2013.

Feu de la Jetée de l'Est (East Jetty), Trouville-Sur-Mer, Normandy, France

This lighthouse is located at the end of the east jetty at the entrance to the harbour at Trouville-Sur-Mer, France. There has been a station at this location since the 1860's. The light was destroyed in World War II and was rebuilt in the early 1950's. Photos were taken in April 2013.

Falaise des Fonds Lighthouse, Honfleur, France

This light which is a marker for the south side of the entrance to the Seine River was built in 1908 and replaced the Feu de l'Hôpital which was located closer to the town of Honfleur. It is also known as Lighthouse Butin (Le Butin). Photos taken in April 2013.

 

Feu de l'Hôpital, Honfleur, France

This light, a 82' masonary tower, is located just north west of the town of Honfleur, France. It was built in 1843 and although is now some distance from the water, it is believed that the estuary has been filled in since it was originally established. The light was deactivated in 1908 when the Falaise des Fonds lighthouse was built further to the north west. The lantern was removed at that time. The lighthouse is now a town landmark. The name of the light was derived from its proximity to the hospital. This light was a marker to the entrance to the Seine River which is west of it's location. Photos taken in April 2013.

Feu de la Jetée de l'Est (East Jetty Lighthouse), Honfleur, France

This light is situated on a jetty marking the entrance to the charming inner harbour of the town of Honfleur, France. The lighthouse is dated to approximately 1876 and it is believed that there was a light station here since the early 1800's. Photo taken in April 2013.