This lighthouse is an impressive sight as it looks proudly out to the Atlantic Ocean from its rocky vantage point. The phare – French for lighthouse – is based in the commune of Saint-Clément des Baleines, and is the second oldest lighthouse in France. It, and the town, take their name from the number of whales that have been beached on this part of the Ile-de-Ré in the past (baleine is French for whale). The nearby point where the whales have become stranded is called the Pointe des Baleines.
A popular tourist attraction, with its 257-step spiral staircase and stunning views that visitors can enjoy, is still a working lighthouse. It stands 57 metres tall and on a clear night its powerful light can be seen at a distance of around 27 nautical miles or 50 km. It was completed in 1854 having been designed by architect Léonce Reynaud and has been a working lighthouse ever since.