Phare de Beauduc

Phare de Beauduc is a decommissioned lighthouse standing on the wild shoreline of the Camargue, in the commune of Arles, at the tip of a sandy spit known as pointe de Beauduc (also called pointe des Sablons). It rises alone between salt lagoons and the open sea, in one of the most remote corners of southern France.

Where exactly is the lighthouse located?

The tower stands at the southeastern tip of the Camargue, within the Camargue Regional Nature Park, in the commune of Arles (Bouches-du-Rhône). Its coordinates are 43.3644 N, 4.58472 E. Around it stretches one of the largest sandy beaches on the entire Mediterranean, ringed by lagoons and salt marshes. A short distance inland sits a small cluster of fishing huts known as the hameau des Sablons.

When and why was Phare de Beauduc built?

The first marker on this treacherous stretch of coast dates back to 1865, when a simple wooden beacon was erected. The push for a proper lighthouse came after tragedy struck: on 1 January 1898, the Marseille steamer "Pergame" was wrecked off this coast. In response, authorities launched a project for a permanent lighthouse. Construction ran from 1901 to 1903, and the lighthouse entered service in 1903. The design is credited to engineer Combarnous, with the contractor Aubran carrying out the construction work.

What does the structure look like?

Phare de Beauduc is a freestanding, cylindrical-conical tower built of dressed stone (pierre de taille). Behind the tower stand the former keepers' quarters. The whole ensemble is listed as a historic monument in the Mérimée heritage database (reference PA13000068), confirming its historical and architectural significance.

Is the lighthouse still operating?

No. From 2004 onward it was powered by solar panels fitted at the top of the tower, but because of the shifting Camargue coastline the light was permanently switched off in 2019. Its navigational role was taken over by a cardinal buoy placed at the tip of Beauduc itself. Today the tower remains standing as an abandoned yet still striking landmark on the Rhône delta landscape.

What draws visitors to this spot?

Beauduc beach is regarded as one of the last completely unspoilt beaches in France — no buildings, no concrete, just open views over the Camargue's lagoon landscape. It is also a well-known spot for kitesurfers, who value the strong, steady winds that sweep across the flats. Interestingly, in the 1970s the beach went through a distinctive heyday as a self-declared "free zone," occupied and built up informally without any planning permission, a chapter that still shapes its free-spirited reputation today. Getting there now means driving unpaved tracks through the nature reserve, and that isolation is itself part of the appeal — direct contact with the raw, untouched Camargue landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can visitors go inside the lighthouse? No, the interior is not open to the public — the lighthouse is viewed from the outside as part of the beach and headland landscape.

How do you get to Phare de Beauduc? Access is via unpaved dirt tracks through the Camargue Regional Nature Park; the final stretch is usually covered on foot or by off-road vehicle, so it is worth allowing extra time.

Is the lighthouse still lit? No, it was permanently extinguished in 2019 due to coastline changes; a cardinal buoy now marks the point instead.

Why is Beauduc beach so popular? It is one of the last undeveloped Mediterranean beaches in France, prized by kitesurfers and by travelers seeking a wild, quiet shoreline surrounded by the Camargue's lagoons.