Outer Harbor, Old Lighthouse, Chasse Lock

The Former Lighthouse marks the entrance to the Avant-Port, which only became navigable after the construction of the hunting lock. It was a decision of the Minister of Agriculture, Edmond Gressier, taken in 1869, which launched the project for a new basin in Honfleur. It is intended to "fight against the persistent siltation of the port". The works began in 1875: it was necessary to isolate from the sea a vast plot of 58ha, consisting of 900,000 m3 of sand and mud. The construction of the dam, the construction of an aqueduct and the digging cost more than three million francs (450,000 €). As for the supply spillway, it amounts to 1.2 million francs (€ 180,000). The lock costs more than 870,000 francs (132,000 €), but its operation gives full satisfaction. The basin, which serves to retain the waters of Morelle and Orange, was inaugurated in 1881 by Léon Gambetta, then president of the Chamber of Deputies.
Two to three whitewater flushes are enough to maintain the channel leading to the navigable outer harbor. Unused today, the holding or hunting basin could contain a volume of 700,000 m3. ouest-france.fr/normandie/honfleur-14600/le-bassin-de-chasse-contre-lenvasement-3624813

History:
This outer harbor is a testament to the development and activity of the port of Honfleur in the 19th century. 1840-1845: Construction of the lighthouse, the beacon barracks, and the outer harbor barracks. 1857: Expansion of the beacon barracks, construction of the first wooden mast. 1876: Reconstruction of the metal mast.