Saint-Nicolas lighthouse

Collection: Lighthouses of Aquitaine

Saint-Nicolas Lighthouse

Made of: Resin
Size: 8,5 x 4,5 x 4,5 cm

• Locality :  Verdon-sur-Mer, Gironde
• Constuction : 1871
• Height : 12.35 m

It was built for the southern passage, called "passe de Grave", by small vessels who wanted to avoid the Cordouan north west route favouring this more navigable route. It was erected by entrepreneur Verdonnais Jean Gallaud using funding from the Ministry of Lighthouses and public works from 1871 as was Richard's Lighthouse. 

At a height of 12.35m, rectangular and subtly pyramidal in shape, the structure is topped by a curved stone arched roof. (Dutch influence?)  The light is set facing south west emitting a unique beam, also fixed, towards Soulac and Amélie sea areas. The light is reached via 32 wooden steps and is solar assisted. In 1933, the lighthouse was 125 m from the beach; In 1940, it was no less than 80 m, and 55m in 1949. In 1963, the sea swept away part of the sea wall built in 1907 to the south of the light. And since then, the longshore drift effect has dumped sand coming from the beaches at Soulac. In October 1996, Saint-Nicolas beach lay 600 m from the building, making this Atlantic facing stretch one of the rare tracts reclaimed from the ocean.

source: caruso33