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Cordouan Lighthouse visit with La Boheme Vedettes

68 Rue de la Plage, Soulac-sur-Mer, Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Description

The Cordouan lighthouse is located 7km out at sea, in the Gironde estuary formed by the confluence of the Dordogne and Garonne rivers. Built in the 16-17th centuries, it is the oldest still operating lighthouse in France and is now part of the UNESCO WHS. It is 16m in diameter and measures 68m in height with six floors including a chapelle and the 'King's apartment' (although no King has stayed there). Access is via a sand bar and 25 steps when the tide is on the way down. Les Vedettes de la Boheme is one of few operators that take visitors to the lighthouse (ticket is included in the price) via a 40mins boat trip then transfer to a smaller amphibious vehicle. The walk to the top is done via 301 steps. Do note that the comments from the captain and the guardian of the lighthouse are in French only.

Access & Transport

The tour reviewed here departs from Verdon sur Mer, near the Pointe de Grave (Medoc's northern tip), 100km / 2h drive northwest of Bordeaux.

Instructions & Recommendations

Make sure to check the actual departure times as they change every day (but are known ahead of time) due to the tide cycle. Tours can start as early as 7h30 and as late as 18h30. During peak season there can be 2 departures, 2h apart. Schedule: https://www.vedette-laboheme.com/horaires-de-depart/ Visitors should arrive 30-40mins before the start time and wear shoes with proper grip.

Meta review

The lighthouse is regularly featured in travel guides and some documentaries but not well covered by bloggers, maybe because access is limited. Online reviews are mostly, but not only, positive. The majority of visitors enjoy the multiple experience with a boat ride, a barge transfer, walking on the sandbar and of course, the guided tour of the monument. However, many feel there is a lot of waiting and logistics involved for a limited time at the lighthouse itself (around 1h in general) even though they agree there is no easy solution - in that frame of mind, the price is perceived as quite high.

Environmental & Social

The boats run on fossil fuels. Brings some economic activity to this rural area.

Conclusion

The visit of the Phare of Cordouan is a rather expensive and time-consuming endeavour and whether it is really worth it depends on both budget and area of interest. You may want to explore cruise-like alternatives that get close to the lighthouse and explore other nearby points of interest at more affordable rates (including with Les Vedettes La Boheme).

Key positive

Scenic maritime environment

Gorgeous monument

Key negative

Tour and journey are time consuming

Expensive

Suitability

Not accessible for visitors with reduced mobility (transfer to barge and steps to / in the lighthouse)

About this Rating

TYPE

Desktop

RESEARCHED IN

May 2024

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit
WATCH OUT: timing change every day because of the tide

av. transport time:1h

est. visit time:4h 30m

Regulated hours

Start of Season 1:Apr, 01

Season 1

MONDAY10:00 - 17:00

TUESDAY10:00 - 17:00

WEDNESDAY10:00 - 17:00

THURSDAY10:00 - 17:00

FRIDAY00:00 - 00:00

SATURDAY10:00 - 17:00

SUNDAY10:00 - 17:00

Start of Season 2:Nov, 02

Season 2

MONDAY -

TUESDAY -

WEDNESDAY -

THURSDAY -

FRIDAY -

SATURDAY -

SUNDAY -

Pricing
Age band
Age band
Regular price / pers.
Senior
65 - 99
€59
Adult
16 - 64
€59
Child
3 - 15
€52
Infant
0 - 2
€0
This is the High Season price (July to mid-Sept). Low season is €47/€45

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