Phare d'Ailly

Phare d'Ailly is a lighthouse perched on top of the cliffs at Sainte-Marguerite-sur-Mer, on Normandy's Alabaster Coast, just a few kilometers west of Dieppe. It's one of the recognizable landmarks of this stretch of French coastline — a tall, square tower visible from far out at sea and from the coastal footpaths above the cliffs.

How do you get there?

The lighthouse sits right beside the road that runs along the clifftops between Dieppe and Quiberville-sur-Mer. Driving is the most convenient option — there's a parking area nearby, from which it's just a short walk to the lighthouse itself. Alternatively, you can reach it on foot via the GR21 coastal trail, which follows the entire Alabaster Coast. This stretch is popular with hikers, offering sea views on one side and the farmland of the Pays de Caux on the other.

What will you see?

The current lighthouse is a square tower built from Mignac stone and granite, brought into service in 1958. It stands 24.5 meters tall, with 91 steps leading up to the lantern room. Because it sits on top of the cliff, the light itself is positioned 105 meters above sea level — one of the reasons the view from here is among the most striking on the whole coast.

Worth knowing: this is actually the third lighthouse to stand on this spot. The first, a square tower built of white stone, was lit in 1775. It measured 18 meters and originally used an open coal fire as its light source. A second, octagonal tower of grey stone and red brick followed in 1897, entering service in September 1899. Only the third and current structure, built in 1958, has today's square silhouette. The rocks at the foot of the cliff, known as the Roches d'Ailly, posed a hazard to shipping for over two centuries — which is why the site needed increasingly robust lighthouses over time.

The lighthouse is automated and not normally open to the public, but the setting alone makes the trip worthwhile: the clifftop panorama, sea wind, and views across the English Channel are impressive whether or not you get inside. In November 2010, the building was listed as a French Historic Monument, recognizing its architectural and landscape value.

When should you visit?

The lighthouse and the clifftop trail look good year-round, but spring and summer offer the best walking conditions, with longer daylight hours and drier paths. The municipality of Sainte-Marguerite-sur-Mer occasionally opens the lighthouse to visitors, especially during Heritage Days (Journées du Patrimoine) in September — the best chance to see the interior and climb the stairs to the top. Outside those dates, the lighthouse can only be admired from the outside.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the Phare d'Ailly? The lighthouse operates automatically and isn't normally open to visitors. Access to the interior is mainly possible during occasional events organized by the municipality, including Heritage Days.

How tall is the lighthouse? The tower is 24.5 meters tall, with 91 steps leading up to the lantern room. Thanks to its clifftop position, the light itself sits 105 meters above sea level.

How many lighthouses have stood on this site? The current 1958 structure is the third lighthouse built here — the first dates from 1775, and the second was built in 1897 and entered service in 1899.

Are there other attractions nearby? The lighthouse lies along the GR21 clifftop trail on the Alabaster Coast, close to Dieppe and Quiberville-sur-Mer, making it easy to combine a visit with a cliffside walk and a stop in the surrounding seaside towns.