Phare de Berck

Phare de Berck is a lighthouse standing in Berck-sur-Mer, a seaside town in the Pas-de-Calais region on France's Côte d'Opale. The tall white concrete tower is one of the most recognisable landmarks along this stretch of coast and still works today as an active navigational aid for ships crossing the English Channel.

How do you get to the Berck lighthouse?

The lighthouse sits in Berck-sur-Mer, roughly midway between Le Touquet to the north and Montreuil-sur-Mer inland to the south. Driving is the easiest option, following the coastal road that links the Côte d'Opale resorts — the town has parking near the seafront and beach. By train, the nearest station is Rang-du-Fliers – Verton – Berck on the regional line, a few kilometres from the town centre, from where a local bus or taxi covers the rest of the way. Once in Berck, the tower itself is an easy walk from the beach and the seafront promenade, so no further transport is needed on site.

What is the history behind the lighthouse?

A navigational light has marked this stretch of coast for centuries. Records mention a simple stone signal tower here as far back as the 14th century, a modest structure only around six and a half metres tall. Through the 19th century the light was rebuilt several times, each version taller than the last: first an eleven-metre tower burning vegetable oil, then — once the town's new maritime hospital started blocking the line of sight from the sea — a twenty-five-metre tower running on petroleum fuel. That lighthouse did not survive the Second World War; German forces destroyed it in 1944.

The lighthouse standing today is the postwar rebuild. Construction began in 1949 to a design by architect Georges Tourry, using a technique that was innovative for its time: prefabricated rings of prestressed concrete, stacked one on top of another to form the tower. The new light entered service in 1951 and has guided ships along the Pas-de-Calais coast ever since.

What will you see there?

The tower rises to around 44.5 metres, with its light positioned nearly 57 metres above sea level — making it one of the taller lighthouses on the French Channel coast. Its beam carries roughly 24 nautical miles, over 40 kilometres, so the light is visible well out to sea. The structure itself, smooth and cylindrical with its distinctive ring-built concrete profile, is a clear example of postwar functional architecture, quite different in character from the older masonry lighthouses built along this coast in the 19th century.

Nearby, it is worth pairing a visit to the lighthouse with a stop at Berck's local heritage museum, which covers the town's earlier lighthouses as well as its long history as both a fishing port and a seaside health resort. The beach at Berck itself is one of the widest on the Côte d'Opale, a favourite spot for kitesurfers and for long walks along the sand — with the lighthouse forming one of the town's most photographed backdrops.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and summer are the most comfortable seasons, with calmer weather for walking the promenade and beach, and better light for photographing the tower against the sky and sea. Autumn and winter bring stronger coastal winds, which can make long walks harder but also draw watersports enthusiasts and visitors who enjoy the rawer, wind-swept side of the Atlantic coast. The lighthouse itself can be viewed from outside year-round, regardless of season.

Frequently asked questions

Can you climb to the top of the Berck lighthouse? The lighthouse is an active, staffed maritime facility, so access inside is often restricted and depends on local rules and occasional open days. It is worth checking at the local tourist information point before planning a visit.

How tall is the Berck lighthouse? The tower stands about 44.5 metres high, with its light positioned close to 57 metres above sea level.

When was the current lighthouse built? Construction started in 1949 and the tower entered service in 1951, replacing the earlier lighthouse destroyed during the Second World War.

Is there anything else to do near the lighthouse? Yes — the beach at Berck-sur-Mer, the seafront promenade, and the town's heritage museum are all nearby, and the museum offers more detail on both the lighthouse's history and the town itself.