Phare de la Chiappa
Phare de la Chiappa, Rte du Phare, 20137 Porto-Vecchio, France
Name and Location
Phare de la Chiappa (Chiappa Lighthouse)
Location: Phare de la Chiappa, Route du Phare, 20137 Porto-Vecchio, Corse-du-Sud, Corse, France
Coordinates: 41°35′42.66″ N, 9°21′55.77��� E
Plus code: H9W8+35 Porto-Vecchio, France
Map link: https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=41.5951824&mlon=9.3654906&zoom=15
Construction and History
The Phare de la Chiappa stands on the Punta di Chiappa, at the eastern entrance to the Gulf of Porto-Vecchio. Built as a coastal beacon, it guides vessels into one of Corsica's deepest natural bays.
Date of construction: [not documented in cadastre source]
Kept in operation until automation in the late 20th century (common to most French coastal lights)
No major rebuilds recorded in public cadastral data; the present tower and keeper's house date at least from before 2010
Architecture and Materials
The lighthouse has a white-painted masonry tower rising from a one-storey keeper's house. The tower shape is cylindrical, while the lantern is metal, painted red (typical of French lighthouses in Corsica). Construction materials include local stone and concrete render.
Height and focal height: not specified in cadastre
Light and Navigation
The light characteristic, range, and nautical chart reference are not listed in the cadastre. Mariners should refer to SHOM chart 7361 (Gulf of Porto-Vecchio) and the French Aids to Navigation publication.
Accessibility and Visiting
The site is reachable on foot via a marked path off Route du Phare; parking is available nearby. The tower interior is closed to the public for safety and operational reasons.
Visitor access: fully automated, remotely monitored by the regional lighthouse service
Notable Views and Landscape
- The Gulf of Porto-Vecchio and its deep-blue waters
- The offshore Iles Lavezzi on a clear day
- The Albo massif rising inland
Nearby Attractions
- Porto-Vecchio old town (16 km by road)
- Beaches of Santa Giulia and Palombaggia (south-west)
- Punta di Bonifacio and the medieval citadel of Bonifacio (to the south)
Technical and Operational Details
The lighthouse is fully automated, remotely monitored by the regional lighthouse service.
Details
| Name | Phare de la Chiappa |
|---|---|
| City | Porto-Vecchio |
| Country | France |
| Coordinates | 41.5951824, 9.3654906 |
| Architectural style | white-painted masonry tower rising from a one-storey keeper’s house |
| Construction material | "local stone and concrete render" |
| Access description | the site is reachable on foot via a marked path off Route du Phare; parking is available nearby. |
| Accessible | true |
| Landscape type | granite headland with low Mediterranean maquis scrub; cliffs drop to rocky coves popular with small-boat traffic and snorkelers |
| View description | The Gulf of Porto-Vecchio and its deep-blue waters, The offshore Iles Lavezzi on a clear day, The Albo massif rising inland |
| Guided tours | false |
| Facilities | toilets |
| Nearby attractions | ["Porto-Vecchio old town (16 km by road)","Beaches of Santa Giulia and Palombaggia (south-west)","Punta di Bonifacio and the medieval citadel of Bonifacio (to the south)"] |
| Automated | true |