Le Phare de Cordouan

I have blipped this impressive four century old lighthouse at the mouth of the Gironde before. We returned today with friends who were eager to visit it.

Reaching the lighthouse involves a boat trip out into the Gironde, then you have to hop onto an amphibious landing craft which takes you onto the sandbanks near the lighthouse (or right up to it if the tide is in). From here you have to wade through rock pools to reach the foot of the lighthouse. This is where the main photo was taken.
The first extra shows the first group of visitors having being dispatched from the boat in the landing craft.
The second extra is a shot from the top looking east towards the tip of the Gironde peninsula. 

This impressive structure has a fascinating history. Its construction is quite beautiful and ornate.
It is quite unique and inside there is the Kings apartment, and The Chapel Royal! It is also the only lighthouse in France which is still permanently manned.