Phare de Saint-Gervais

Phare de Saint-Gervais is a lighthouse standing on the Saint-Gervais point, at the head of the Gulf of Fos, right next to Fos-sur-Mer in the Bouches-du-Rhône department. It is one of the youngest lighthouses on France's metropolitan coastline, completed in 1978 — in fact, it is considered the last lighthouse ever built on mainland French shores.

Where exactly does the lighthouse stand?

The tower rises above the water at the bottom of the Gulf of Fos, marking the entrance to the dredged shipping channel — 25 metres deep — used by the industrial port of Marseille-Fos. From here its beam guides oil tankers, container ships and gas carriers heading toward the terminals of the Fos industrial zone. The coordinates are roughly 43.4283 N, 4.94028 E.

How do you get there?

Fos-sur-Mer sits about 50 km west of Marseille and a short drive south of Martigues. Getting there by car is the easiest option — local roads follow the coastline out to the Saint-Gervais point, where you get a clear view of the tower and of the ships moving in and out of the port. It's worth setting aside time for a walk along the shore, since the beach and the area around the lighthouse are a popular spot for locals on weekends.

What's the history behind this site?

During construction work in the 1970s, builders uncovered the remains of a workshop that once produced oil lamps, dated to the 2nd century AD. The find confirmed that the Saint-Gervais point had been inhabited and put to economic use as far back as Roman times, long before the modern lighthouse was ever built here. Despite its relatively young age, the structure itself has since gained heritage status — it was listed as a historic monument in France on 21 June 2012.

What does the lighthouse look like?

The tower is an oval, cylindrical structure built of raw reinforced concrete, topped with a section finished in green ceramic tiles that stand out sharply against the grey shaft below. Natural light reaches the interior through a vertical strip of glass paving blocks set into the south-facing side. Inside, a spiral staircase and a lift shaft give technical staff access up to the lantern room. The structure stands 50 metres tall in total, and its light carries 25 nautical miles — enough to guide vessels safely through the gulf even in poor visibility.

Can you go inside?

No. The Phare de Saint-Gervais operates fully automatically, with no permanent keeper on site, and its interior is not open to visitors. Its sole role today is as a navigation aid for shipping traffic bound for the port of Marseille-Fos, steering tankers, container ships and gas carriers along the dredged channel.

When is the best time to visit?

Daytime is the best time to appreciate the contrast between the green-capped top and the concrete shaft below, as well as to watch large vessels moving in and out of the port. After dark, the beam itself becomes the main attraction, sweeping across the gulf to guide ships inland — a view that's particularly striking from the beach near the point. Spring and early autumn bring milder sun and quieter beaches than the height of summer.

Frequently asked questions

Is Phare de Saint-Gervais the same lighthouse as the Phare du fort de Bouc in Martigues? No, they are two separate structures. Phare de Saint-Gervais stands on the point near Fos-sur-Mer and dates from 1978, while the Fort de Bouc lighthouse is located in neighbouring Martigues and has an entirely different history and design.

How old is the lighthouse? It was built in 1978 and is regarded as the last lighthouse constructed on France's mainland coast.

Can visitors climb the tower? No. It runs automatically without a keeper and is not open to the public.

What is the lighthouse used for today? It guides commercial shipping — tankers, container ships and gas carriers — along the 25-metre-deep dredged channel at the head of the Gulf of Fos, on their way to the port of Marseille-Fos.