Phare du cap Camarat

Phare du Cap Camarat is a lighthouse standing on the Cap Camarat headland in Ramatuelle, a few kilometres from Saint-Tropez on the French Riviera. Built between 1836 and 1838, it first lit its lamp the same year it was finished and has guided ships along this stretch of coast ever since.

Where does it stand and what makes it special?

The lighthouse rises on the rocky tip of Cap Camarat, one of the landmark viewpoints between Saint-Tropez and Pampelonne Bay. What sets it apart is the height of its light source above sea level — at nearly 130 metres, it is the second-tallest lighthouse focal point in France. The building has been listed on France's supplementary register of historic monuments (Inventaire Supplémentaire des Monuments Historiques) since 2012, recognizing both its historical and architectural value.

What is its history?

The lighthouse originally burned oil for light; electricity took over in 1946. Since 1977 it has run automatically, remotely controlled from the lighthouse on the island of Porquerolles, so no keeper lives on site anymore. Cap Camarat also carries a darker chapter: during the Second World War, German forces occupied the lighthouse and the neighboring semaphore station, converting an earlier Napoleonic-era artillery battery into a bunker. Traces of that occupation can still be found around the headland today.

What will you see on a visit?

Closed to visitors for many years, the lighthouse can now be toured again — but only by reservation through the Ramatuelle Tourism Office. Inside, a small museum unfolds across three rooms: one covers the local flora, fauna and natural heritage; a second traces the history of lighthouses from antiquity to the present day; and the third focuses on Cap Camarat itself, from its construction to how it operates today, alongside stories of nearby shipping routes and shipwrecks.

The real reward, though, is reaching the panoramic terrace at the top. From there you look out over Pampelonne Bay, the Cap Taillat headland and the whole Saint-Tropez peninsula, and on clear days you can even make out the Porquerolles islands offshore.

How do you get there, and when should you go?

Cap Camarat lies within the municipality of Ramatuelle, most easily reached by car from Saint-Tropez or Gassin. The final stretch to the lighthouse crosses land protected by the Conservatoire du littoral, so it's best to leave the car at the designated parking area and walk the rest of the way — the path winds through typical Mediterranean scrubland with sea views along the route. Because visits require a booking, it's worth checking availability with the Ramatuelle Tourism Office ahead of time and planning the tower visit well in advance, especially in summer when demand for this spot rises sharply.

Frequently asked questions

Can you walk up to the lighthouse without booking ahead? No. Tours run in groups only, and a reservation through the Ramatuelle Tourism Office is required beforehand.

Does a lighthouse keeper still live there? No, the lighthouse has been automated since 1977 and is remotely controlled from Porquerolles.

What can you see from the terrace? Pampelonne Bay, the Cap Taillat headland, the Saint-Tropez peninsula, and, in good conditions, the Porquerolles islands.

Does the lighthouse have any wartime history? Yes, German forces occupied the lighthouse and its semaphore during the Second World War, turning an earlier Napoleonic battery into a bunker.