Belém Doca do Bom Sucesso (Faux Lighthouse), Lisbon, Portugal

This faux lighthouse sits on the Rio Tejo (River Tagus) just east of the Belem Tower in Lisbon, Portugal. It is not an aid to navigation and does not have a lantern in the faux gallery. Photos were taken in April 2013.  

Torre de Belém (Belem Tower), Lisbon, Portugal

The Torre de Belém is located on the waterfront on the Rio Tejo (River Tagus) in Lisbon, Portugal. This tower is a popular tourist attraction and landmark. While it no longer has a light, a light tower was erected in front of the tower portion of the building in approximately 1886 but was removed in 1945. The actual gothic tower itself dates back to 1520. The photos were taken in April 2013.

Farol de São Julião da Barra Lighthouse, Oeiras, Portugal

This light is situated in Forte de São Julião da Barra which sits at the north entrance to the Rio Tejo (Tagus River) west of the city of Lisbon, Portugal. The fort was constructed in the 16th century and it is believed the lighhouse dates to approximately 1775. The light remains active. The fort is now the offical residence for the Minister of State and Defence for Portugal. The distant photos were taken in April 2013.

Calandkanaal High (Rear Range) Lighthouse, Europoort, Rotterdam, Netherlands

This light sits on a penninsula of land adjacent to the Calandkanaal a dredged channel created for shipping to the Europoort at Rotterdam, Netherlands. It is a 141' concrete tower with a square gallery and modern 3x3 light display. Photos taken in April 2013.

Hoek Van Holland Front Range (New), Hoek Van Holland, Netherlands

This is a modern light that replaced the former Hoek Van Holland Low lighthouse that has since been relocated to the Maritime Museum in Rotterdam.  It is a 95' concrete tower with a square gallery and modern 3x3 light display. Photos taken in April 2013.

Hoek Van Holland Range Rear (New), Hoek Van Holland, Netherlands

This modern light replaced the old Hoek Van Holland High light which remains nearby as a museum. It was constructed in approximately 1970 and is a 144' concrete tower with a modern 3x3 light display. Photo taken in April 2013.

Hoek Van Holland High (Range Rear) Lighthouse, Hoek Van Holland, Netherlands

This light, a 69' cast iron tower, was built in 1893 and served as the rear range light at Hoek Van Holland (Hook of Holland), Netherlands. It was deactivated in 1974 with the construction of the Maasvlakte. It now serves as a museum (Netherlands Coastal Lighthouse Museum).  Photos taken in April 2013 from the M.S. Rotterdam.

LV11, Trinity House Lightship, Maritime Museum, Rotterdam, Netherlands

This vessel, the former LV11 Trinity House Lightship, is moored near the Het Havenmuseum (Maritime Museum) in Rotterdam, Netherlands.  The ship was originally commissioned in 1951 and served as a lightship in England and Wales until it was withdrawn from service in 1988. It served as Dudgeon station, Morecambe Bay station, St. Gowan station and for a short time was on loan to Mersey Docks and Harbour Board as Bar station.  It was sold in 1991 and eventually rebuilt into a floating restaurant. It was the floating restaurant Breevertien from 2000 to 2002. It was again sold and in 2009 reopened as the Restaurant Tinto.  At the time of taking these photos in April 2013 it remained open as Restaurant Tinto.

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.