The first and last lighthouse of La Réunion

Built between 1844 and 1846, the Phare de Bel-Air is the first and last lighthouse in La Réunion. Designed by architect Eugène Diomat, it sits on a basalt cliff that serves as a promontory and has seen the Bel-Air tunnel pass by since 1880. The tunnel was originally for trains and is now used by pedestrians. The lighthouse was designed to prevent shipwrecks on the island's dangerous coasts and served as a vital landmark for sailors seeking to reach the port of Saint-Denis.

During the era of sailing ships, the lighthouse was of capital importance because it signaled the first northern point of the island to boats pushed by trade winds from the southeast. This allowed navigators to ensure they remained at a safe distance from the coast and avoid the two reefs that surface in the area: Cousin and Marianne. While Marianne is located at the foot of the cliff, Cousin is much further out at sea. Jean Baillif, the last lighthouse keeper, served until 1984, when the lights were automated.

Today, the lighthouse is painted white with a red top and houses the intercommunal tourist office of Sainte-Suzanne. The former staff housing, which includes a staff room and machine room, has been converted into a space for exhibitions and visits. It was listed as a Monument historique in 2012 after being registered on 16 June 1997.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons