Carteret Lighthouse in the spotlight

From 9 October to 11 2024 , the Cotentin hosts the Journées des Phares de France at the Carteret lighthouse. This annual event brings together lighthouse managers, associations, communities and official representatives around various themes: management, restoration, conservation, tourism and culture. It is an opportunity for the stakeholders of this unique maritime heritage to share their experiences and strengthen the preservation of these emblematic monuments.

This year the meeting will take place in Barneville-Carteret, in partnership with the town hall, the Cotentin Tourist Office and the association of the Lighthouses of FranceFor the Cotentin, it is an opportunity to highlight the history of the Carteret lighthouse while strengthening its tourist appeal.

The programme

Wednesday October 9

  • Reception of association members at the Douits hall at 16 p.m., followed by the general meeting at 16:30 p.m.

Thursday October 10

  • Morning: Visit to the Carteret lighthouse and presentation of the issues linked to its opening to the public as a Sensitive Natural Area (ENS), and discussions with the project stakeholders.
  • Afternoon : Presentations on the work in progress in various French lighthouses such as the Museum of Lighthouses and Beacons in Ouessant, the semaphore of Pointe Saint-Gildas, and the Ailly lighthouse. Artistic and heritage initiatives will also be discussed, such as the artistic project around the Millier lighthouse or the promotion of the Cap Béar lighthouse.
  • 18h: at the Pôle nautique, a friendly time around a glass of cider offered by the town hall with Monsieur Le Maire, the SNSM, Monsieur Gosselin (the last lighthouse keeper of Carteret) and Monsieur Leparmentier (son of a lighthouse keeper of Carteret between 1942 and 1962).

Friday, October 11 

  • Morning: Discussions will continue in the Douits room with exchanges around shared themes such as the digitization of the first Fresnel optics and the management and conservation of maritime signaling objects, notably via the ERoL program.

A key meeting for the preservation of lighthouses

With the participation of representatives of the Ministry of the Sea, architects of Historic Monuments, of Conservatoire du Littoral, and other key players such as the Interregional Directorates of the Sea, this event is a decisive moment for the future of French lighthouses. By hosting this edition, the Cotentin affirms its commitment to promoting its maritime and cultural heritage, while strengthening the links between lighthouse managers and the institutions involved.

Themes

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