History
The first lighthouse on the site was lit on July 1, 1831; it was a small cylindrical tourelle encased in masonry, and showed a fixed white light. A short tower, it stood only 27 feet (8.2 m) tall, and was intended to warn ships' captains off of the treacherous limestone rocks that could be found in the area. A taller light, 46 feet (14 m) tall, was installed in May 1867, and also showed a fixed white light. This was changed in 1893 to a light which flashed every five seconds, and which showed white and red sectors. In 1906 the signal was converted to gas power, and in 1931 it received a supplementary green sector. The lighthouse was also powered by other means at various points in its career, being converted at various times to mercury, vegetable oil, and mineral oil.
The lighthouse at the point was completely demolished on the night of July 24, 1944 by German soldiers. A temporary wooden pylon was erected soon after, being lit on October 10 of the following year; the old lighthouse was not permanently replaced, however, until 1953. On April 25 of that year the new tower showed its light, an electric signal, for the first time; it was tended by a keeper until 1985, when it was automated. Today the lighthouse is controlled automatically from Les Sables-d'Olonne; its property is still owned by the government, and is off-limits to visitors.
Read more about this topic: Pointe Du Grouin Du Cou Lighthouse
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