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Cordouan Lighthouse

Cordouan lighthouse (French pronunciation: [kɔʁdwɑ̃]) is an active lighthouse located 7 kilometres (4.3 miles) at sea, near the mouth of the Gironde estuary in France.[1] At a height of 67.5 metres (221 ft),[2] it is the tenth-tallest "traditional lighthouse" in the world.[3]

Cordouan Lighthouse
Cordouan Lighthouse, November 2006
LocationGironde, France
Coordinates45°35′10.84″N 1°10′24.48″W / 45.5863444°N 1.1734667°W / 45.5863444; -1.1734667
Tower
Constructed1611
Foundation3-storey cylindrical basement
Constructionstone tower
Automated2006 
Height67.5 metres (221 ft)
Shapeconical tower with three galleries and lantern
Markingsunpainted light gray tower, darker gray gallery and lantern
HeritageMonument historique
World Heritage Site
Light
First lit1788
Focal height197 feet (60 m)
LensFirst order Fresnel lens
Rangewhite 22 nautical miles (41 km; 25 mi)
red/green 18 nautical miles (33 km; 21 mi)
CharacteristicOcc. W R G (depending on direction) 12s
Designated1862
TypeCultural
Criteria(i)(iv)
Designated2021 (44th session)
Reference no.1625

The Tour de Cordouan, the 'Patriarch of Lighthouses' is by far the oldest lighthouse in France, with construction starting in 1584 and finishing in 1611. Designed by leading Paris architect Louis de Foix [fr], the lighthouse is something of a Renaissance masterpiece, drawing inspiration from Roman mausoleums, and the palaces, cathedrals, and forts of the Renaissance.[4] Three stories were added in the 18th century.

Because of its outstanding Renaissance architecture and its testimony to the development of lighthouses, the Cordouan Lighthouse was listed as a historic monument in 1862,[5] and recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2021.[6]

History Edit

Small beacon towers had existed on the islet since 880, but the first proper structure was implemented by Edward, the Black Prince, as Guienne was then an English province. It was 16 metres (52 ft)[7] high, with a platform on top where a wood fire could be kept burning, and occupied by a hermit. Passing ships paid two groats to pass - the first known instance of lighthouse dues. In addition to the tower, a small chapel was built on the islet. By the second half of the 16th century the tower had fallen into disrepair and the hazard to navigation threatened the Bordeaux wine trade. This led to the construction of the current Tour de Cordouan.

Design Edit

 
Engraving of a drawing by Claude Chastillon of the original tower finished in 1611

Using limestone dressed blocks, De Foix first built a round base 41 metres (135 ft) in diameter and 2 metres (8 ft) high to take the onslaught of the waves.[4] Within it was a 2-square-metre (20 sq ft) cavity for storing water and other supplies. Above it were constructed four storeys of diminishing size. The ground floor consisted of a circular tower 15 metres (50 ft) in diameter, with apartments for four keepers around its inner wall. In the centre was a richly decorated entrance hall of 2.0 square metres (22 sq ft) and 6.1 metres (20 ft) high. The second storey was the King's Apartment, consisting of a drawing room, anteroom and a number of closets. The third storey was a chapel with a domed roof notable for the beauty of its mosaic. Above this was secondary lantern, and above that the Lantern itself. This was 60 metres (200 ft)[8][circular reference] above the sea and visible 8–10 km (5–6 mi) away, the original light being provided by burning oak chips in a metal container.

Throughout the building, de Foix took as much trouble with the decor as with the durability of the building, and on every floor was a profusion of gilt, carved work, elegantly arched doorways and statuary.

 
Architectural drawing of the Cordouan lighthouse as extended in 1790.

Extension Edit

The first parabolic lamps were added in 1782, but the lighthouse at the time was in very poor condition. Sailors also criticized the lack of height of the light. Major renovations were needed. They were carried out from 1782 to 1789 by the engineer Joseph Teulère, who suggested raising the 30-metre tower, whilst retaining the ground floor and two floors in the Louis XVI style. The simplicity of the new floors contrasted with the wealth of the lower floors, which retained their Renaissance decoration.

In 1790, after the lighthouse was raised 60 metres above the highest tides, Teulère devised the first turning lighting dish. It consisted of Argand lamps turned by a machine built by a watchmaker in Dieppe. The fuel was a mixture of whale oil, olive oil and rapeseed oil.

The first Fresnel lens rotating system, the invention of Augustin-Jean Fresnel, was installed in Cordouan in 1823. Three concentric lamp wicks, supplied with rapeseed oil by means of a suction and force pump, were placed in the focal plane of the apparatus.

It was restored in 1855 and made a historical monument in 1862, at the same time as Notre-Dame de Paris. The original Fresnel lens was replaced by the present lens in 1854.

The light was converted to petroleum gas in 1907 and to electricity in 1948, when a 6,000 W lamp was used. The lamp was replaced by a 450 W xenon lamp in 1984 but this was not successful, and a halogen lamp was installed three years later. The lighthouse was fully automated in 2006, although lighthouse keepers are still employed.[9] Indeed, unlike in other lighthouses, maintaining continued keeping in Cordouan was deemed necessary to preserve this especially old and historic lighthouse, as well as to show visitors around. The last two State-employed, "traditional" keepers left in 2012 and were replaced by members of SMIDDEST, a local association. Cordouan is therefore the last inhabited lighthouse in France, after the Cap Fréhel lighthouse saw its last keeper depart in August 2019.

See also Edit

References Edit

  1. ^ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of France: Aquitaine". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  2. ^ "Phare de Cordouan".
  3. ^ Rowlett, Russ. "The Tallest Lighthouses". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
  4. ^ a b "Cordouan Lighthouse". UNESCO World Heritage List. United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Retrieved 23 Jan 2022.
  5. ^ Base Mérimée: Phare de Cordouan, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French)
  6. ^ "UNESCO to add France's 'king of lighthouses' to world heritage list". France 24. 24 July 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  7. ^ "Lighthouses of France: Aquitaine".
  8. ^ French Wikipedia
  9. ^ "Système d'Eclairage du Phare de Corduan". Retrieved 23 Jul 2015.

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainWood, James, ed. (1907). The Nuttall Encyclopædia. London and New York: Frederick Warne. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)

External links Edit

  • Cordouan lighthouse official website
  • (in French)

cordouan, lighthouse, help, expand, this, article, with, text, translated, from, corresponding, article, french, december, 2009, click, show, important, translation, instructions, view, machine, translated, version, french, article, machine, translation, like,. You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in French December 2009 Click show for important translation instructions View a machine translated version of the French article Machine translation like DeepL or Google Translate is a useful starting point for translations but translators must revise errors as necessary and confirm that the translation is accurate rather than simply copy pasting machine translated text into the English Wikipedia Do not translate text that appears unreliable or low quality If possible verify the text with references provided in the foreign language article You must provide copyright attribution in the edit summary accompanying your translation by providing an interlanguage link to the source of your translation A model attribution edit summary is Content in this edit is translated from the existing French Wikipedia article at fr Phare de Cordouan see its history for attribution You should also add the template Translated fr Phare de Cordouan to the talk page For more guidance see Wikipedia Translation Cordouan lighthouse French pronunciation kɔʁdwɑ is an active lighthouse located 7 kilometres 4 3 miles at sea near the mouth of the Gironde estuary in France 1 At a height of 67 5 metres 221 ft 2 it is the tenth tallest traditional lighthouse in the world 3 Cordouan LighthouseCordouan Lighthouse November 2006LocationGironde FranceCoordinates45 35 10 84 N 1 10 24 48 W 45 5863444 N 1 1734667 W 45 5863444 1 1734667TowerConstructed1611Foundation3 storey cylindrical basementConstructionstone towerAutomated2006 Height67 5 metres 221 ft Shapeconical tower with three galleries and lanternMarkingsunpainted light gray tower darker gray gallery and lanternHeritageMonument historiqueWorld Heritage SiteLightFirst lit1788Focal height197 feet 60 m LensFirst order Fresnel lensRangewhite 22 nautical miles 41 km 25 mi red green 18 nautical miles 33 km 21 mi CharacteristicOcc W R G depending on direction 12sMonument historiqueDesignated1862UNESCO World Heritage SiteTypeCulturalCriteria i iv Designated2021 44th session Reference no 1625The Tour de Cordouan the Patriarch of Lighthouses is by far the oldest lighthouse in France with construction starting in 1584 and finishing in 1611 Designed by leading Paris architect Louis de Foix fr the lighthouse is something of a Renaissance masterpiece drawing inspiration from Roman mausoleums and the palaces cathedrals and forts of the Renaissance 4 Three stories were added in the 18th century Because of its outstanding Renaissance architecture and its testimony to the development of lighthouses the Cordouan Lighthouse was listed as a historic monument in 1862 5 and recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2021 6 Contents 1 History 2 Design 3 Extension 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksHistory EditSmall beacon towers had existed on the islet since 880 but the first proper structure was implemented by Edward the Black Prince as Guienne was then an English province It was 16 metres 52 ft 7 high with a platform on top where a wood fire could be kept burning and occupied by a hermit Passing ships paid two groats to pass the first known instance of lighthouse dues In addition to the tower a small chapel was built on the islet By the second half of the 16th century the tower had fallen into disrepair and the hazard to navigation threatened the Bordeaux wine trade This led to the construction of the current Tour de Cordouan Design Edit nbsp Engraving of a drawing by Claude Chastillon of the original tower finished in 1611Using limestone dressed blocks De Foix first built a round base 41 metres 135 ft in diameter and 2 metres 8 ft high to take the onslaught of the waves 4 Within it was a 2 square metre 20 sq ft cavity for storing water and other supplies Above it were constructed four storeys of diminishing size The ground floor consisted of a circular tower 15 metres 50 ft in diameter with apartments for four keepers around its inner wall In the centre was a richly decorated entrance hall of 2 0 square metres 22 sq ft and 6 1 metres 20 ft high The second storey was the King s Apartment consisting of a drawing room anteroom and a number of closets The third storey was a chapel with a domed roof notable for the beauty of its mosaic Above this was secondary lantern and above that the Lantern itself This was 60 metres 200 ft 8 circular reference above the sea and visible 8 10 km 5 6 mi away the original light being provided by burning oak chips in a metal container Throughout the building de Foix took as much trouble with the decor as with the durability of the building and on every floor was a profusion of gilt carved work elegantly arched doorways and statuary nbsp Architectural drawing of the Cordouan lighthouse as extended in 1790 Extension EditThe first parabolic lamps were added in 1782 but the lighthouse at the time was in very poor condition Sailors also criticized the lack of height of the light Major renovations were needed They were carried out from 1782 to 1789 by the engineer Joseph Teulere who suggested raising the 30 metre tower whilst retaining the ground floor and two floors in the Louis XVI style The simplicity of the new floors contrasted with the wealth of the lower floors which retained their Renaissance decoration In 1790 after the lighthouse was raised 60 metres above the highest tides Teulere devised the first turning lighting dish It consisted of Argand lamps turned by a machine built by a watchmaker in Dieppe The fuel was a mixture of whale oil olive oil and rapeseed oil The first Fresnel lens rotating system the invention of Augustin Jean Fresnel was installed in Cordouan in 1823 Three concentric lamp wicks supplied with rapeseed oil by means of a suction and force pump were placed in the focal plane of the apparatus It was restored in 1855 and made a historical monument in 1862 at the same time as Notre Dame de Paris The original Fresnel lens was replaced by the present lens in 1854 The light was converted to petroleum gas in 1907 and to electricity in 1948 when a 6 000 W lamp was used The lamp was replaced by a 450 W xenon lamp in 1984 but this was not successful and a halogen lamp was installed three years later The lighthouse was fully automated in 2006 although lighthouse keepers are still employed 9 Indeed unlike in other lighthouses maintaining continued keeping in Cordouan was deemed necessary to preserve this especially old and historic lighthouse as well as to show visitors around The last two State employed traditional keepers left in 2012 and were replaced by members of SMIDDEST a local association Cordouan is therefore the last inhabited lighthouse in France after the Cap Frehel lighthouse saw its last keeper depart in August 2019 See also Edit nbsp France portalList of lighthouses in France List of tallest lighthouses in the worldReferences Edit Rowlett Russ Lighthouses of France Aquitaine The Lighthouse Directory University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Retrieved January 24 2016 Phare de Cordouan Rowlett Russ The Tallest Lighthouses The Lighthouse Directory University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill a b Cordouan Lighthouse UNESCO World Heritage List United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization Retrieved 23 Jan 2022 Base Merimee Phare de Cordouan Ministere francais de la Culture in French UNESCO to add France s king of lighthouses to world heritage list France 24 24 July 2021 Retrieved 24 July 2021 Lighthouses of France Aquitaine French Wikipedia Systeme d Eclairage du Phare de Corduan Retrieved 23 Jul 2015 Rowlett Russ Lighthouses of France Aquitaine The Lighthouse Directory University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill List of Lights Pub 113 The West Coasts of Europe and Africa the Mediterranean Sea Black Sea and Azovskoye More Sea of Azov PDF List of Lights United States National Geospatial Intelligence Agency 2009 p 23 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain Wood James ed 1907 The Nuttall Encyclopaedia London and New York Frederick Warne a href Template Cite encyclopedia html title Template Cite encyclopedia cite encyclopedia a Missing or empty title help External links Edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cordouan lighthouse Cordouan lighthouse official website Cordouan Information in French Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Cordouan Lighthouse amp oldid 1168209213, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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