Visit the Cordouan lighthouse
At Le Verdon-sur-Mer, the Cordouan lighthouse is unique in the world. The last lighthouse still manned, the only one open to visitors and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it reveals all its majesty 8km off the Médoc coast in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Visiting it in person is the experience of a lifetime. Discover the mythical guardian of the estuary, its royal history and the anecdotes of those who live there all year round. And savour the breathtaking panorama from its 67-metre height. How to get there, which boat to choose, where to embark, what to do on site – here are our expert answers for a successful outing!
Access to the lighthouse
How do I get to the Cordouan lighthouse?
Getting to the Cordouan lighthouse is in itself a marvellous epic. It takes just over an hour to reach the King of Lighthouses by boat from the port of Le Verdon-sur-Mer. As you get further from the shore, you’ll already feel what the lighthouse keepers feel in the middle of the ocean: the impression of being alone in the world. Imagine them at sea for several weeks, with only the waves of the Atlantic in the background…
Access to and visits tothe lighthouse are not free, but expeditions followed by guided tours are regularly organised by the boatmen departing from Le Verdon. Be sure to find out the departure time when you arrive: access to the site is subject to tide times and coefficients, which inevitably vary from day to day.
Once you’ve booked your visit, don’t arrive at the very last minute. Instructions will be given to you at the start, so be sure to arrive 40 minutes before boarding time!
How do I get to Le Verdon-sur-Mer?
Getting to Le Verdon-sur-Mer couldn’t be easier:
By train from Bordeaux, a direct train will get you there in 2 hours.
By car, it’s a 1.5-hour drive from Lacanau, a 1.15-hour drive from Carcans-Maubuisson and a 50-minute drive from Hourtin.
From the right bank of the Estuary, take the ferry to Royan
Book your visit to the lighthouse with Vedettes la Bohême
From April to October, these experts will take you to the lighthouse, where you’ll be welcomed by the keepers themselves for a 2-hour guided tour. 47/adults out of season, €52 in high season (discounts available).
Visit the lighthouse
with its own guards!
As the last lighthouse in the world still to be manned, who better to show you around than the lighthouse keepers themselves? They’ll be delighted to welcome you into their “home” for an experience you won’t soon forget…
The keepers of the Cordouan lighthouse will be delighted to share their unusual job and passion with visitors, and will be delighted to tell you as much as they can about their unusual way of life. You’ll be able to ask them all your questions, and unravel the mysteries of life on the high seas…
They obviously know the lighthouse’s rich history, but they also know its little secrets. As you make your way up, you’ll feel the great History that permeates each stone, as well as the singular moments in life that have followed.
When you reach the top of the 301 steps, there is usually silence, and the panoramic view over the mouth of the estuary will take your breath away far more than the climb will have taken your legs! These images will stay with you forever, so take the time to savour every moment.
Rich biodiversity
At low tide, the guards aren’t as alone as they seem…
Of course, the Cordouan lighthouse does not float on the Atlantic: it rests solidly on a rocky islet that is completely covered at each high tide. Its flora and fauna live at the rhythm of the ocean. At the foot of the lighthouse, you can observe a wild environment with a singular biodiversity, and children are usually delighted to play budding explorers among the greedy birds that come here to feed.
Practical advice
to make the most of your visit
The majesty of the Cordouan lighthouse lies in the open sea, so it takes some effort to get close enough… Of course, the boatmen determinethe best time to dock depending on the tides, but given the sandbanks, you’ll need to walk for around fifteen minutes to get there. So make sure you have good waterproof shoes – the king of lighthouses won’t hold it against you if you don’t get out your new, polished shoes for him!
Choose shoes that are closed but easy to remove: the visit usually starts with a little footbath at low tide!
Out at sea, and therefore in the wind: even in midsummer, remember to take a windbreaker or at least a little wool.
Including the hour’s sailing and the visit, your getaway will last 4 hours: remember to bring a water bottle, and why not a snack if you choose a morning visit. “I had a picnic in the middle of the ocean”: now that’s a holiday memory that will wow your colleagues back at the office!
We love animals, but unfortunately they’re not allowed on the lighthouse (apart from shrimps and seagulls), so plan ahead before you visit.
Finally, don’t hesitate to take binoculars and a camera with you to savour the panoramic view, and immortalise this once-in-a-lifetime experience…
Explore the surrounding area
Back on land, stay a little longer at Le Verdon-sur-Mer forthe Musée du Phare de Cordouan et des phares et balises, where you can learn even more about navigation, the lighthouses of the Gironde and the history of the estuary. We also recommend a visit to the Richard Lighthouse, which houses a fascinating museum of estuarine life.