La Tour d'Arundel

La Tour d'Arundel is a medieval watchtower turned lighthouse standing at the harbour entrance of Les Sables-d'Olonne, in the La Chaume district on the Vendée coast. It is one of the town's oldest and most recognisable landmarks — its stone silhouette is visible from the quays, the beach, and the decks of fishing boats returning to port.

Where does the tower come from?

The tower was built in the 14th century on the initiative of the princes of Talmont and originally served as the keep of Saint-Clair castle, a fortress guarding the harbour mouth. Over the centuries the castle changed hands several times, eventually passing to the La Trémoïlle family. The site did not escape the religious wars of the era: it is mentioned in connection with a Protestant attack in 1594, and in 1622 it found itself at the centre of clashes between Catholic and Huguenot forces. Its military role ended in 1689, when a royal order had the castle's defensive walls torn down — only the tower itself survived.

Why is it also a lighthouse?

The Arundel tower has carried a double role for centuries — defensive and navigational. The "feu de la Chaume" was, for a long time, the only lit navigational point along the entire Vendée coast, remaining so until the end of the 18th century. As early as the 13th century, the spot was known as the "phare de la Pierre-à-Masson" or "pharaillon de la Chaume" — at that stage merely a landmark, rarely lit. During the French Revolution the tower was put up for sale as national property, and a white beacon was fixed to its summit to guide sailors.

The real transformation came in the 19th century. In 1835 the French state bought back the ruins, and between 1857 and 1858 the public works department (Ponts et Chaussées) carried out a thorough reconstruction, giving the lighthouse the form still visible today. The light itself remains in service — fully automated since 1994, with no permanent keeper required.

What will you find inside?

Today the tower houses a small museum dedicated to the sea and to fishing. The exhibition traces the building's history alongside the everyday life of La Chaume's fishermen of past centuries, displaying traditional tools and gear tied to a trade that shaped the local economy for generations. It is a short but rewarding visit, pairing well with a walk through the La Chaume district and along the harbour quay.

How to get there and what to know before visiting?

The tower stands in La Chaume, on the opposite side of the harbour channel from the centre of Les Sables-d'Olonne. The easiest way to reach it is on foot along the quay, or via the small local ferry that crosses the harbour — a popular route linking the town centre with La Chaume. The area around the tower also offers a good vantage point over the harbour entrance and the comings and goings of fishing boats.

When should you visit?

The tower and its surroundings are pleasant to see at any time of year, but the summer months are best for visiting the museum inside, when the La Chaume district is at its liveliest and the local seafood restaurants are in full swing. Morning hours are a good time to avoid crowds and get quiet photos of the tower against the harbour backdrop.

Frequently asked questions

What is La Tour d'Arundel? A 14th-century defensive tower converted into a lighthouse, standing at the harbour entrance in the La Chaume district of Les Sables-d'Olonne.

Is the lighthouse still in operation? Yes, the light was fully automated in 1994 and still serves as a navigational aid for vessels entering the harbour.

What can you see inside the tower? A museum dedicated to the sea and fishing, tracing the tower's history and displaying traditional fishing tools from the region.

Where exactly is the tower located? In the La Chaume district, on the opposite side of the harbour channel from the centre of Les Sables-d'Olonne — reachable on foot or via the local ferry.