CONTIS IS SPLENDID!
What's not to like?
This lighthouse was constructed to illuminate the dark coast of Aquitaine in the south. That is what it is about. The stimulating paint job is all part of leaving the mariner in no doubt: that is Contis, right? The spiral paintwork was introduced after the phare was repaired following explosive decapitation of the tower by occupying forces during the unpleasantness of ww2. It is designed (and I am sure it works) to make the tower stand out clearly above the dark mass of the pine forests.
In spring 2018 Contis was our target destination, a phare far off our normal beaten track, an ambition I felt we might never achieve. But here we are! I love them stripes.
As with Hourtin (qv), Contis was commissioned in 1863. The lighthouse makes it perfectly clear which phare it is by sending out four white flashes separated by four seconds, every twenty five seconds, there can be no mistaking it. Those flashes can be seen up to twenty-three nautical miles away. The focal plane is 50 metres whilst the tower is 42 metres tall. Need feet? Work it out yourself – I'm metric. The spiral daymark was proposed in 1937 by the painter and good ideas man, Bellocq; Huelse has a postcard view made before the spiral was applied (he can usually be relied on)… Monument Historique? Mais oui!
Unsurprisingly the lighthouse is to be found at Contis-Plage, no less. Not familiar with the place? Michelin Atlas of France p272. This is just a holiday resort and nothing much else really. Some quite distinguished modern villas may be espied, but when we were in town there were but few folk in residence, the place seemed a touch forlorn. But who cares? The lighthouse is open daily, except Mondays, in July and August, not to mention on weekends and holidays in April, May, June, and September. Or when we are in the offing. But this was March… the mimosa was fragrantly in full bloom.
photos by me, post card rendition by JBH, with thanks.
footnote: In September 22 we visited, en route to Ciboure, a seaside location south of Contis called for some mysterious reason, CapBreton. No phares here I am afraid but something a bit like one and featuring in The Lighthouse Directory so I include this montage and leave any further enquiry to your good self…
