Planier lighthouse is a high sea lighthouse , located 6 nautical miles away from Marseille on the Planier island. Half immersed reefs surrounding the island generated many shipwrecks.

History

In 1320 Robert d'Anjou erected a fire tower. In 1774 a stone tower was built , topping at 40 feet above sealevel.Wood fire was replaced by a 14 oil lamps reflector. In 1829 the lighthouse is replaced by a new tower topping at 120 feet above sealevel. In 1881 a new tower is again built , this time topping at 185 feet above sealevel.Equipped with an electric light and Fresnel lenses it reaches 26 miles. This 3rd lighhouse was destroyed by the German army in August 1944. In 1945, a temporary light is installed on a mast. In 1959, the present lighthouse is inaugurated. Its white flashing light is fully automated.

Source : Wikipedia (french page)

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