Phare de Cap Couronne

Phare de Cap Couronne is a lighthouse standing on the Cap Couronne headland in the municipality of Martigues, in the Bouches-du-Rhône department near Marseille. It marks the eastern entrance to the Gulf of Fos and is the only lighthouse along the entire Côte Bleue coastline, between the small port of Carro and the L'Estaque district.

Where exactly does the lighthouse stand?

The lighthouse rises above the village of La Couronne, on a low, rocky headland jutting into the Mediterranean. The current tower is a slightly tapered cone built of reinforced concrete, painted white with a red top — a colour scheme typically used on French lighthouses that warn ships away from rocky, hazardous approaches. The structure stands 33 metres tall and carries a radar antenna.

What is the history behind this lighthouse?

The first lighthouse on this spot was built in 1867 as a so-called maison-phare — a keeper's dwelling combined with a low, square tower just 11.60 metres high. It originally showed an eclipse light flashing every 20 seconds. Over the following decades the light characteristic changed several times: to a red flash every 5 seconds in 1904, every 2.5 seconds in 1937, and every 3 seconds in 1955. The old building eventually fell into disrepair and was demolished in 1963, after a taller replacement had already taken over its role.

The current lighthouse has been in service since 1960. It is a much taller and sturdier concrete tower than its predecessor, shaped as a truncated cone. Its red light flashes every 3 seconds and can be seen from roughly 20 nautical miles away, close to 37 kilometres. The lighthouse was automated in 2001, so it no longer needs a resident keeper.

Can visitors climb the lighthouse or get a close look?

Since automation, the lighthouse has not been open to the public — there is no access to the interior or to a viewing platform at the top. Visitors typically admire it from outside, whether from the nearby beach, the coastal path, or a boat cruising along the Côte Bleue. The headland itself is a popular spot for walking, sunset photography, and simply watching the sea — the rocky shoreline and open view over the Gulf of Fos are worth the trip whether or not the light is flashing.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

Cap Couronne sits within the municipality of Martigues, often nicknamed the "Venice of Provence" for the canals and bridges running through its historic centre. Close to the lighthouse stands the sémaphore de la Couronne, an 1887 signal station once used for maritime surveillance. The Côte Bleue coastline where the lighthouse stands is known for its rocky coves, low cliffs, and coastal walking paths leading toward Carro to the west and L'Estaque, a Marseille district, to the east. It makes a good base for travellers looking for a quieter alternative to central Marseille while staying close to the city.

Frequently asked questions

Can you climb to the top of the Cap Couronne lighthouse? No. The lighthouse has been automated since 2001 and is not open to visitors — there is no access to the interior or to any viewing point at the top.

How tall is the lighthouse and how far does its light reach? The current tower stands 33 metres tall, and its red light, flashing every 3 seconds, is visible from about 20 nautical miles away, nearly 37 kilometres.

Is this the only lighthouse on this stretch of coast? Yes. Phare de Cap Couronne is the only lighthouse along the whole Côte Bleue, between the port of Carro and the L'Estaque district of Marseille.

Was there an earlier building on the site of today's lighthouse? Yes. From 1867 to 1963, a shorter keeper's-house lighthouse (11.60 m) stood here. It was demolished after years of decay, once the taller 1960 tower had taken over its function.