About this place
Phare de Ciboure is a modest maritime lighthouse standing at the harbor entrance of Ciboure, right where the Nivelle river meets the sea, facing Saint-Jean-de-Luz across the narrow channel. It's a small but distinctive landmark of the French Basque Country — one half of a paired set of lights guiding boats safely into port.
Where does the Ciboure lighthouse come from?
The first light on this spot was lit on September 1, 1870 — a green light mounted on an 8-meter wooden scaffold. That temporary structure was replaced in 1872 by a square tower 14 meters tall, which served for several decades.
The lighthouse's current look comes from architect André Pavlovsky, who in 1936 redesigned it, folding the existing structure into a new neo-Labourdine architectural ensemble typical of the Basque region. The work coincided with the construction of its twin light across the channel in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, designed by the same architect. The rebuilt Ciboure light finally entered service on December 10, 1938.
How does it work, and why does it have a twin in Saint-Jean-de-Luz?
The Ciboure and Saint-Jean-de-Luz lighthouses operate as a pair — a classic leading-lights arrangement that helps sailors entering port hold the correct course through the narrow channel between the two towns. Both flash green at night, but a colored stripe on each tower tells them apart: Ciboure's light carries a green stripe marking the starboard side, while Saint-Jean-de-Luz's carries a red stripe marking the port side. That way, captains entering at night know instantly which side of the channel they're looking at.
Who lived at the lighthouse, and when was it automated?
From 1937, right after the rebuild, until 1973, three successive families of lighthouse keepers staffed the light, living in the section of the building attached to the tower. In 1973 the light was fully automated, ending the era of a permanent on-site keeper — a shift that happened at many French lighthouses around the same time.
The lighthouse also carries heritage status: since October 8, 1993, it has been listed as a French historic monument, recognizing its value as an example of Basque architectural style applied to a working technical structure.
What will you see on site?
The lighthouse itself isn't large or monumental — its charm lies in the combination of a technical function with a distinctly regional look: white walls, red trim, and a Basque-style roof typical of the wider Labourd region. Standing by the tower, you get a view over the harbor entrance, the Nivelle channel, Ciboure's fishing port, and the outline of Saint-Jean-de-Luz across the water. It's a pleasant spot for an evening walk, when the light starts flashing and fishing boats head back into port.
The surrounding area rewards a longer stroll on its own: Ciboure's waterfront, its working fishing port, and the old town's narrow streets lined with colorful Basque-style houses make for an enjoyable backdrop to a short visit at the lighthouse.
How to get there and when to visit?
The lighthouse sits right on the Ciboure waterfront, an easy walk from the town center and from the Saint-Jean-de-Luz promenade on the opposite side of the channel (reachable on foot via the bridge or by walking around). Late afternoon or evening is the best time to visit, when sunlight catches the tower nicely from the harbor side and fishing boat traffic brings the waterfront to life. The lighthouse itself is not open for visits inside, but the surrounding area is accessible year-round, with spring and summer offering the most comfortable conditions for a longer walk along the water.
Frequently asked questions
Can you go inside the Phare de Ciboure? No — it's an active navigational aid and isn't generally open to the public inside. You view it from outside, along the waterfront.
How is this lighthouse different from the one in Saint-Jean-de-Luz? They are two separate but paired lighthouses forming a leading-lights system: Ciboure's tower carries a green stripe (starboard side), while Saint-Jean-de-Luz's carries a red stripe (port side). Together they guide boats along a safe course into the harbor.
How old is the Ciboure lighthouse? The first light on this site dates to 1870, while the current architectural form comes from a 1936–1938 rebuild designed by architect André Pavlovsky.
Is the lighthouse a protected monument? Yes — Phare de Ciboure has been listed as a French historic monument since October 8, 1993.
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