PHARE DE L’ESPIGUETTE

LE GRAU-DU-ROI , Gard

About

200
Standing
capacity
200
Seated
capacity
3
Number of
meeting rooms

1.    An exceptional environment surrounding the site (largest dune massif in the French Mediterranean)
2.    An immediate sense of disconnection
3.    Our warm and simple hospitality

In the town of Grau du Roi stands the Phare de l’Espiguette. Nestled among sand dunes, this lighthouse is easily recognizable by its unique square shape and black color, visible from the sea. It has been illuminating our coastline and guiding sailors for over 150 years. Would you like to organize your event in this exceptional location? Now, it’s possible!
The Phare de l’Espiguette is located in an extraordinary dune massif. Numerous protective measures have been implemented to preserve the landscape, as well as its unique flora and fauna along the Mediterranean coastline. You will take a beautiful wooden walkway through the dunes and arrive at the foot of the lighthouse.

Facilities at the Phare de l’Espiguette:
•    An interpretation center housed in the former keepers’ quarters (museum)
•    A private outdoor space available for half-day, full-day, or evening rentals
•    A 90m² courtyard classified as a historical monument
•    A fully equipped meeting room for around twenty people (projector, flipchart, Wi-Fi, etc.)
•    Take a breath of fresh air during your break by climbing the 111 steps of the lighthouse with a guided tour.
•    Pricing available upon request, depending on your choices: room and/or outdoor space rental duration, guided tour, dinner, culinary entertainment, wine tasting (“Sables de Camargue” wines).
Additional options to enhance your event:
•    Discover and taste “Sables de Camargue” wines with a presentation by the Wine Syndicate
•    Culinary and/or musical entertainment at the foot of the lighthouse.

EQUIPMENT : Standing tables with linens, lighting, access to an event-specific power station.

ACTIVITIES : Team building, cocktail receptions, lighthouse lighting ceremonies, speeches, sunset tours, concerts.

ACCESS : in car, bus, bicycle.
Parking : voiture/bus.

Description :

Sustainability & Eco-responsibility at the Lighthouse.
As an ecotourism site located within a classified area and a Natura 2000 zone, the site has been awarded the “Grand Site de France” label. This natural gem is carefully managed in collaboration with all environmental protection stakeholders.
Concrete Actions:
Communication & Printing:
•    Default printer settings in black & white
•    Purchase of recycled, unbleached paper
•    Reduction of brochures/flyers to only essential information
Visitor Flow & Impact Management:
•    Visitor flow control with a capacity limit and recommended reservations to prevent overcrowding
•    To avoid congestion, the lighthouse remains open year-round
•    Visitor tracking with annual and holiday season attendance reports
•    Visitor satisfaction survey
Accessibility:
•    The lighthouse ground floor is accessible to PRMs (Persons with Reduced Mobility), with a 360° virtual model available to experience the view from the top
•    Free admission for residents in winter (second year of implementation)
•    Reduced rates for PRMs, unemployed individuals, and students
Certifications & Labels:
•    “Accueil Vélo” (Cyclist Welcome) – first tourist site in the region to obtain it (encouraging cycling to reduce CO₂ emissions)
Promotion of Local Products & Entrepreneurs:
•    Responsible boutique charter with CSR criteria: showcasing local crafts, artists, upcycled products, natural mosquito repellent, wooden keychains, etc.
•    Small selection of local and sustainably sourced food & beverages at the reception
•    Promotion of short supply chains through events like “Phare Gourmand”
•    Exclusive collaboration with local caterers for events, offering seasonal and local gastronomy
Waste Management:
•    Recycling bins available at reception
•    Staff training on proper waste sorting by Suez/Octav – Syndicat Pic & Etang, as part of a support program
•    Reusable eco-cups for drinks and durable cups for coffee & other beverages
•    Glassware used for events
•    Natural materials for boutique signage (wooden labels, game boards, books, etc.)
•    Visitors encouraged (both in-person and via FAQ on the website) to take their waste with them
•    Encouragement to bring reusable water bottles
•    No sale of plastic bottles
•    Prioritization of second-hand materials (e.g., purchases from Emmaüs) for occasional needs
Water Management:
•    Visitors encouraged to bring reusable water bottles (“gourde-friendly” policy)
•    3 dry toilets, including 1 for PRMs
•    Educational room sinks equipped with aerators
Energy Efficiency:
•    All light bulbs are LED
Educational & Awareness Programs:
•    All educational materials for school groups focus on biodiversity, lighthouse history, and heritage
•    Organization of “eductours” for tourism professionals and local businesses
•    Collaboration with environmental protection organizations (e.g., Syndicat Mixte de la Camargue gardoise, Conservatoire du Littoral 50th anniversary)
•    Temporary exhibitions always related to the site and/or biodiversity
•    Off-site participation in sustainable community events (e.g., Connexion Nature, Graulinades)
•    Climate change awareness, particularly regarding accretion and erosion phenomena
Biodiversity Impact Reduction:
•    Designated access paths via a wooden walkway: bicycles and scooters prohibited, dogs must be leashed to protect the dunes and wildlife
•    Drone use prohibited to avoid disturbing wildlife and flora (also due to nearby semaphore presence)
•    Support for the “Walking on Eggs” campaign by the LPO (French League for the Protection of Birds) due to the presence of Kentish plovers at Espiguette during nesting season
•    Collaboration with Natura 2000, sharing dune evolution maps and local species data
Employee Partnerships & Equipment:
Partnership with Manera, a local brand based in Pérols specializing in watersports gear, to outfit the lighthouse team.