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Located on the western tip of Île de Ré, in the commune of Saint-Clément-les-Baleines, the Whale Lighthouse is one of the most powerful on the Atlantic coast. Climbing to the top of the lighthouse and visiting the museum offer a cultural escape amidst nature.
Climbing the Whale Lighthouse
The Whale Lighthouse stands 57 meters tall. It is accessed via a marble-floored vestibule from which a magnificent 257-step stone staircase ascends. It also leads to the watch room with its alcove bed. From the platform, the view of Île de Ré, the sea, and Conche beach is remarkable. On a clear day, you can see the Vendée coast, and the islands of Aix and Oléron.
The current Whale Lighthouse was commissioned in 1854. It replaced the old Whale Tower built by Vauban. It stands out from its neighbors, the Chassiron Lighthouse and the Coubre Lighthouse, by its octagonal shape and exposed ashlar (Crazannes limestone). Built by architect Reynaud, the Whale Lighthouse has a range of 50 km.
At the foot of the Whale Lighthouse, a gift shop and bookstore offers a wide range of souvenirs, including books, posters, postcards, and maritime objects. The lighthouse is surrounded by the two-hectare Whale Park, created in 1861 by landscape architect Mr. Perrier.
The Old Tower and the Whale Museum
The Whale Tower was the first light installed at the point. Its construction in 1682 was part of a vast program established by Vauban: to protect the coasts, monitor and control maritime traffic, and prevent the increasing number of shipwrecks. At the time, the Whale Lighthouse served as an advanced outpost for the defense of the Rochefort arsenal. The building has three floors and three rooms accessible by a spiral staircase; however, the old tower is not open to visitors.
At its foot are the buildings of the former lighthouse keepers’ school, which was originally a storehouse for the fuel used for the light. Today, a museum is housed there. It offers an educational journey through the history of lighthouses and their presence around the Charente straits. Multimedia presentations were created with the help of Jamy, the journalist from the show “C’est pas sorcier”. Suffice to say, the visit is as instructive as it is entertaining!
The Baleineaux Lighthouse
A little further, about 4 km off the coast, lies a third lighthouse, the Haut-Blanc du Nord, also known as the Baleineaux Lighthouse. This small 31-meter tower operates without a keeper.
The tower was added to the Whale Lighthouse to improve its safety. However, it took 13 years of work (1840 – 1853) to construct the building due to access difficulties. Workers could only reach the rock during very low tides. Only approach by boat is possible, but the Haut-Blanc light is not open to visitors.
