Goury lighthouse out at sea, cannot be accessed. This is not the case for the one on Carteret headland. Good news for those who aren’t too sporty, there are 58 steps to get to the top, so it is 6 times easier than Gatteville lighthouse. However, if we add the height of the cliff to the height of the lighthouse, Carteret is actually higher than Gatteville!
Before or after climbing these steps, take a walk along the “Sentier des douaniers” (customs officer’s way) across the Cap de Carteret (headland) for a five-star view of the Channel Islands of Jersey and Sark.
North of the lighthouse, go for a leisurely stroll around the extraordinary Dunes of Hatainville. This magical place is just after the romantic ruins of the ancient Eglise de Carteret.
Carteret lighthouse was built in 1839, just after the Granville and Goury lighthouses in La Hague, to protect sailors from the “Passage de la Déroute”. The lighthouse was automated in 1976 and had a “keeper” until 2012. It is still in operation today and has been open to the public since July 2016.
Climb the 58 steps of the lighthouse to reach the platform.
At more than 85 metres above sea level, you’ll have a magnificent panoramic view of the Channel Islands and the Ecrehou islands, as well as the extraordinary Dunes of Hatainville, the channel of Carteret port, the long dunes of Barneville and the beach stretching as far as the eye can see…
Practical info
All visitors can access free-of-charge the lighthouse’s museum areas in the former lighthouse keepers’ bedrooms, and the temporary exhibition room on the ground floor.
Come and watch the lighthouse being switched on, and learn about the other lighthouses along the coast and the Channel Islands.
Commented tours are organised on a regular basis. On these tours, the secrets of the lighthouse will be unveiled, and you can learn about its history, environment, etc.
The tour was created with respect of hygiene standards in mind.
Opening periods and prices
French winter and autumn school holidays (Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
- From Saturday 6th February to Sunday 7th march and from Saturday 23rd October to Sunday 7th November, from 2pm to 5pm.
Mid-season (Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
- From Saturday 3rd April to Sunday 4th July and from Wednesday 1st September to Thursday 30th September, from 10:30am-12:30pm and 2pm-6pm
High season
- Open every day from Tuesday 6th July to Tuesday 31st August from 10:30am-1pm and 2pm-6:30pm
Contact:
- Cotentin Tourist Office
Barneville-Carteret Office
3 avenue de la République
50270 Barneville-Carteret - +33 (0)2 33 04 90 58
