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| Situated on the western headland of the Ile de Ré in the commune of Saint-Clément-des-Baleines, the lighthouse takes its name from the many whales that beached at this spot. The last mass beaching of whales dates from 1920. |
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 The Lighthouse
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| The Phare des Baleines itself dates from 1854, but it was built to replace a first lighthouse dating from 1682, locally known as the Tour des Baleines (Tower of the Whales). The old tower, of a smaller size and insufficient range, is one of the oldest lighthouses in France and is close by. The present lighthouse is 57 metres high, and can be seen from a distance of around 45km. |
The Ocean as Far as the Eye Can See |
| Once at the top of the 257 steps of the spiral staircase, a magnificent panorama opens up, with a view of the island, the Conche des Baleines (Whale Cove) and a wonderful example of a fish lock; further out to sea, the coastline, Ile d’Oléron and the Atlantic Ocean. The Phare des Baleines can be visited every day of the year. |
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