The Cap d'Arme lighthouse is located in the commune of Hyères, in the Var department.
It is located on the southern tip of the island of Porquerolles, off the coast of the town and the Giens peninsula.
It was built from 1834 to 1837 under the direction of engineer Jules Dufresne. In 1906, it was equipped with a Fresnel lens, making it one of the most powerful in the Mediterranean. Electrified in 1952, it was finally automated in 1971.
Architecturally, intended to secure maritime traffic around the Toulon harbor, the building is in the form of a square tower on one level centered on a square base, in the middle of a terrace. In the tower, cylindrical on the inside, there is a staircase with a suspended rotating flight, made of stone.
The 20 meter high lighthouse overlooks sea level by some 80 meters. Its current range is 54 km.
It was saved in 1944 thanks to the courage of its then guardian, Joseph Pellegrino.
The site also provides a viewpoint over the entire island, the Langoustier hills, Fort Sainte-Agathe, the semaphore and the southern cliffs. To the north we can see the harbor of Hyères and the Maures massif.
Listed in the Inventory, the lighthouse is not open to the public, nor its enclosure.
The surrounding areas can, however, punctuate a pleasant walk.
Information on +33 4 94 01 84 50.
