The lighthouse of Pointe Saint-Gildas is located in the town of Préfailles, in Loire-Atlantique, and its vocation is to mark the entrance "south" of the mouth of the Loire.
Staking a wild coast, the current lighthouse was preceded by a semaphore built in 1861, on which a concrete pylon was built in 1941 at the request of the Germans to house a fire.
The semaphore was put out of service in 1949 but professionals calling for night lighting to secure navigation, a temporary fire was put into service in 1954 via a post built on a blockhouse dating from the Second World War.
In 1958, the fire was transferred to the old semaphore hall and guarding was assured until its automation in 1986.
Finally, in 1993, a new metal pylon painted green was erected to carry fire, which is controlled from Saint-Nazaire. The height of the pylon is 13.4 m and the fire overhangs the sea of 20.9 m. Its range is 14 miles (26 km).
The site, from which one enjoys a view of the Loire estuary as on the island of Noirmoutier, houses since 2004 a museum space arranged in the premises of the former semaphore. It traces the history of the site and that of maritime communications. It captures what was the daily life of the lighthouse keepers and several maritime tragedies that took place off the coast are mentioned. The visit includes animations dedicated to the children.
Open from April to the end of Toussaint holidays. Price: 3.50 and 4.50 euros. Information on +33 2 40 21 01 21.
