The “Lights from France” exhibition invites visitors to discover a part of Estonian history in which France, far beyond its own borders, played a decisive role by building lighthouses — symbols of light and scientific innovation.
It highlights how this legacy continues to influence current generations through the innovation and inspiration these lighthouses have provided.
The exhibition features photographs of these French-origin lighthouses, accompanied by documents and stories detailing their history and impact on the Estonian coast.
It also offers an immersive virtual reality experience, allowing visitors to explore a 3D virtual model of the Ristna Lighthouse, located on the island of Hiiumaa and originally designed by engineer Gustave Eiffel in 1874.
Concept and texts: Indrek Laos
Photos: Tarmo Baranovski, Leo Käärmann, Indrek Laos, Siim West
3D visualization: Andreas Kivi
Design: Mae Kivilo
The completion of the exhibition has been supported by the French Institute in Estonia
Special thanks to Emmanuel Rimbert, Cooperation and Cultural Action Advisor at the French Embassy in Estonia and Head of the French Institute in Estonia, for his enthusiasm and dedication
1
Lighthouse Authority in Paris
In the second half of the 19th century, Paris became a true hub of innovation and enlightenment.
The main building of the Service des Phares et Balises, constructed near the Champ de Mars, supplied optical instruments to lighthouses around the world, along with prefabricated iron towers designed by French engineers. A lantern installed atop the building made it possible to test various lighting innovations and conduct experiments.
Keri Lighthouse
Built 1623, 1858
Iron tower and lantern room: Léonce Reynaud
2nd class optics: Henry-Lepaute
The lighthouses along the Estonian coast have a fascinating historical connection with France.
The first Fresnel optics arrived in Estonia during the reconstruction of the Keri Lighthouse in 1858. The innovative metal tower was manufactured according to a technical design by Léonce Reynaud at the Genke, Pleske & Morandi electroplating factory in St. Petersburg. The lighthouse’s second-order lighting apparatus was produced by Henry-Lepaute.
The lantern room of the Keri Lighthouse is decorated with water spouts with lion-shaped mascarons, the Reynaud trademark. Photo: Indrek Laos
Illustration: Keri Lighthouse. Photo - Siim West
2
Lighthouse ranks as stars in the sky
While natural landmarks, stars, and shore beacons were originally used for maritime navigation, by the mid-18th century, people had learned to concentrate light using reflectors. A network of maritime aids was established. Drawing inspiration from the astronomical classification of star brightness, lighthouses were categorized into six orders based on their power.
Osmussaare Lighthouse
Built 1648, 1875-1941
Lantern room and 2nd order optics: Barbier & Fenestre
The connection between the Osmussaare Lighthouse and French masters began in 1875, when, in the context of constructing the Tahkuna Lighthouse, it was decided to raise the height of the Osmussaare Lighthouse to ensure constant visibility. The elevated tower was fitted with a second-order optical apparatus manufactured by the French company Barbier & Fenestre.
Drawing of the lighting apparatus and lantern of the Osmussaare Lighthouse. Eesti Meremuuseum SA (MM_734/16 D)
Illustraton: Osmusaare lighthouse postcard ca 1910. Jaan Vali Collection
3
Augustin-Jean Fresnel (1788-1827)
EN: French inventor, creator of Fresnel optics, member of the Lighthouse Commission (Commission des Phares) from 1819 to 1827
A true revolution in navigation took place with the development of the dioptric lens by A. Fresnel and the first use of this technology at the Cordouan Lighthouse in France in 1823. Lighting devices based on this new technology quickly spread across the globe.
Pakri Lighthouse
Built 1724, 1888
Lantern and 1st order hyper-radial optics: Barbier & Cie
The pinnacle of technical mastery in Fresnel optics was reached with the hyper-radial apparatus of the Pakri Lighthouse, installed in 1888. Unfortunately, only the metal base frame bearing the manufacturer’s label and a photograph from the 1889 Paris World Exhibition—where the lantern was showcased before being shipped to the Pakri Peninsula—have survived to this day.
Pakri Lighthouse Hyperradial Catadioptric Apparatus with an Internal Diameter of 2.66 m. Manufactured by F. Barbier & Cie, Paris, 1888. Photo: Optics Exhibition at the 1889 Paris World Exhibition
Illustration: Pakri Lighthouse postcard. Indrek Laos Collection
4
Léonce Reynaud (1803-1880)
Engineer and architect, lighthouse builder, head of the Lighthouse and Beacon Service (Service des phares et balises) from 1846 to 1878.
Fresnel's invention was put into practice by L. Reynaud, the director of the French Lighthouse Authority, an engineer and designer of numerous lighthouses in France. Reynaud developed an iron tower structure with an internal supporting frame made of T-sections, which is known to have been first used in the construction of the Amédée Lighthouse in New Caledonia in 1862. Surprisingly, this design was also used four years earlier in the Keri Lighthouse.
Naissaare Lighthouse
Built 1788, 1890 - 1941
Lantern: Léonce Reynaud
2nd order optics: Henry-Lepaute
All that remains of the former Naissaare Lighthouse is Reynaud's lion-headed mascaron dome water spout, one of the most distinctive features of his work. In 1890, a light apparatus with Henry-Lepaute 2nd-order optics was installed on the tower. It is possible that this innovative invention inspired Bernard Schmidt, the protagonist of Jaan Kross's novel, to create a haze-free telescope lens.
Reynaud's 2nd-order optical light apparatus lantern. Phares et Balises PL.8. L. Reynaud, 'Mémoire sur l'éclairage,' 1864
Illustration: Gargoyle from the Naissaare Lighthouse. Photo – Indrek Laos
5
Typology of lighthouses
As technological advancements progressed, lighthouses, which had primarily been built of stone and wood until the 19th century, began to be constructed using metal. The cast-iron tower design created by English engineers was soon replaced by various iron-structured towers, which, in turn, were superseded by prefabricated concrete solutions at the start of the 20th century.
Narva-Jõesuu Lighthouse
Built 1808, 1886, 1903 - 1941
Lantern and 3rd order optics: Barbier & Fenestre
Narva was an important center of Swedish eastern trade in the 17th century. The first beacon was installed at the mouth of the river during the Swedish period. In 1886, a light equipped with 3rd-order optics and a metal lantern room was ordered from the French company Barbier & Fenestre for the Narva-Jõesuu lighthouse. The optics were destroyed, along with the original stone tower, during World War II. A new lighthouse, built with shell concrete construction, was erected in its place in 1957.
Narva-Jõesuu Lighthouse Maxi Card from the Estonian Lighthouse Stamp Series, by Roman Matkiewicz in 2022
Illustration: Narva lighthouse postcard ca 1910. Jaan Vali Collection
6
Augustin Henry-Lepaute (1800-1885)
A mechanical engineer dedicated to lighthouse construction and a manufacturer of Fresnel optics, founder of the Henry-Lepaute company.
As the first manufacturer of lighthouse optics, Henry-Lepaute was a precision mechanic and watchmaker who established his own company in Paris in 1827. In addition to producing numerous lighthouse optics and rotary mechanisms, some of the most well-known works of his studio include the monumental clock on the pediment of Paris City Hall, which still operates today.
Viirelaiu Lighthouse
Built 1836, 1881-1941
4th order optics: Henry-Lepaute
Due to the dangerous shallows in the Viire Gorge, which make navigation difficult, the Viirelaiu lighthouse was named 'Paternoster' when it was built. The original metal tower, equipped with a 4th-order optical apparatus, was ordered from the workshop of engineer Henry-Lepaute in Paris. During the reconstruction in 1965, the metal ribs were removed from the tower, and it was covered with a 10 cm layer of concrete.
Paternoster (Viirelaiu) Lighthouse, 1925. Courtesy of the Estonian Maritime Museum (MM_2396/434D537/424
Illustration: Photo of the Paternoster Lighthouse, circa 1935. Jaan Vali Collection
7
Paris, the capital of lighthouses
In the second half of the 19th century, Paris became a sort of lighthouse capital, where most of the lighthouse optics used around the world were manufactured. Three companies—Henry-Lepaute, Sautter & Lemonnier, and Barbier & Fenestre—dominated both the French domestic and international markets.
Tallinn Lower Lighthouse
Built 1806, 1862, 1886
3rd order aiming light optics: Barbier & Fenestre
The lighting of the Lower Tallinn Lighthouse has been updated several times over the years. The Henry-Lepaute optics, introduced in 1862, were replaced by a Chance Brother light in 1873. To this day, a target light, manufactured in 1886 by the Barbier & Fenestre workshop in Paris, the cap
Lighthouse in Kadriorg. Designed by Lorenz Heinrich Petersen, 1870. Engraving, 16.4 x 24.8 cm, AM_6989G872
Illustration: Lens by Barbier & Fenestre, builders, Paris 1886. Photo – Indrek Laos
8
Louis Sautter (1825-1912)
Engineer, manufacturer of Fresnel optics, founder, and director of Sautter & Lemonnier from 1852 to 1883.
In 1852, L. Sautter took over François Soleil's optical workshop and established his own lighthouse manufacturing company on Rue Suffrein, next to the Place de Mars. In 1883, his son Gaston Sautter succeeded him, and in partnership with Emile Harlé, the company was renamed Sautter, Harlé & Cie.
Tallinn Upper Lighthouse
Built 1835, 1895
2nd class optics: Sautter, Harlé & Cie
The lantern of the upper lighthouse at the Tallinn Port compound was manufactured in 1895 by the Sautter, Harlé & Cie workshop, a competitor to Barbier. The well-preserved 2nd-order optical light apparatus still serves as the compound sight's reserve light.
Lighthouse optics manufacturer Sautter, Harlé & Cie – Paris, 1895. Factory production plate on the lantern's support pillar. Photo: I. Laos
Illustration: Lens by Sautter, Harlé & Cie. Photo – Indrek Laos
9
Louis Lecointre (1820-1890)
Chief engineer of the shipyard at Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée
To build the lighthouses, Sautter collaborated with several companies that manufactured metal structures, including the shipbuilding company Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée. The metal towers with tubular supports, patented by the company's chief engineer, L. Lecointre, were equipped with optical devices produced by the Sautter factory.
Ruhnu Lighthouse
Built in 1875
Iron tower: FCM engineer Louis Lecointre
2nd order optics: Sautter, Lemonnier &Cie
The model of the Ruhnu lighthouse with tubular supports was originally submitted as an entry for the Port Said lighthouse architectural competition, organized for the opening of the Suez Canal. The economical solution was awarded first place in the metal lighthouse category. The technical design was created by Louis Lecointre, chief engineer of the Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée association, and was inspired by the mast structures of iron ships.
Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée, Le Havre, 1875. Factory plate on the door of the Ruhnu lighthouse.
Photo: I. Laos
Illustration: Ruhnu Lighthouse. Photo – Indrek Laos
10
Frédéric Barbier (1834-1912)
Manufacturer of Fresnel optics, founder and co-owner of Barbier & Fenestre
In 1862, under the leadership of F. Barbier, a third company, Barbier & Fenestre, was founded, which later became known as Barbier, Bénard & Turenne (BBT). The company achieved the greatest international success with its products and operated continuously until 1982, providing a complete solution for the manufacture of lighthouses, from optics to elaborate iron lighthouse towers.
Tahkuna Lighthouse
Built in 1875
Iron tower and 1st class optics: Barbier & Fenestre
The Tahkuna lighthouse, constructed from cast iron, was the very first lighthouse manufactured as a complete solution by the Barbier company. To enhance the technical solution developed by the English engineer Alexander Gordon, a special joint assembly with a cover strip was designed. This solution was patented in 1872 and was immediately implemented in the construction of the Tahkuna lighthouse.
Tahkuna Lighthouse, 1st class dioptric light apparatus, Barbier & Fenestre, 1873. Kassari Museum collection. Photo: I. Laos.
Illustration: Tahkuna Lighthouse. Photo – Tarmo Baranovski
11
Gustave Eiffel (1832-1923)
Engineer, founder, and chairman of Eiffel & Cie from 1866 to 1892, builder of the Eiffel Tower for the 1889 Paris World's Fair.
In 1868, L. Sautter and engineer G. Eiffel registered a joint patent for the manufacture of innovative metal lighthouse masts. Between 1868 and 1892, Eiffel's Levallois-Perret factory produced 12 metal lighthouses, as well as numerous small harbor light towers and light chambers, including the metal structure of the Ristna lighthouse, commissioned by Sautter's company.
Ristna Lighthouse
Built in 1874
Iron tower: Gustave Eiffel
3rd order optics: Sautter, Lemonnier & Cie
Fifteen years before the Eiffel Tower was erected in Paris, G. Eiffel, commissioned by L. Sautter, manufactured the iron structure of the Ristna Lighthouse. The iron tower, featuring latticed buttresses, was designed based on the model described in the joint Sautter–Eiffel patent registered in 1868. The tower was fabricated in Eiffel's Levallois-Perret workshop, marking a significant moment in both lighthouse and structural design history
Phare de Dageorort. List of products from the Gustave Eiffel factory (1864-1889). ADGE archive.
Photo: I. Laos
Illustration: Ristna Lighthouse. Photo – Indrek Laos
12
Lighthouses at World's Fairs
Lighthouse manufacturers presented their most innovative products at the world exhibitions held in London, Vienna and Paris in 1855, 1867, 1878, 1889 and 1900. In The Champ de Mars, which was the venue for several world exhibitions and showcased the latest technical inventions, still stands today as a symbol of freedom and bravery, the monumental Eiffel Tower, erected in 1889.
Kõpu Lighthouse Dome
Built in 1531, 1860, 1900
Metal Dome: Gustave Eiffel
1st class optics: Sautter, Harlé & Cie
A metal dome with a first-class lighting apparatus was purchased from Sautter, Harle & Cie at the 1900 painting exhibition held in Paris. The lantern's two-layer copper dome was crafted based on the novel solution outlined in the appendix to the Sautter–Eiffel patent.
Drawing of a double-layer copper dome. Sautter-Eiffel invention patent, appendix 2: Improvements in the construction of the lantern dome. 15. 12. 1868. INPI, n°83080
Illustration: Kõpu Lighthouse. Photo – Leo Käärmann
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According to the Estonian Transport Board, there are nearly 15,000 lighthouses in the world, 360 around the Baltic Sea and 55 lighthouses and 237 lighthouses operating in Estonia. In comparison, there are about 135 lighthouses in France.
In cooperation with local communities, 12 lighthouses have been opened to the public across Estonia: Narva-Jõesuu, Naissaare, Pakri, Osmussaare, Saxby, Tahkuna, Kõpu, Ristna, Kihnu, Vilsandi, Sõrve and Ruhnu lighthouses, which are visited by a total of nearly 100,000 people annually.
There are 16 lighthouse complexes under heritage protection: Kõpu, Suurupi Upper and Lower, Keri, Tallinn Upper and Lower, Vilsandi, Mohni, Vormsi, Ristna, Tahkuna, Ruhnu, Pakri, Käsmu, Laidunina and Kunda lighthouses.
The International Association of Navigational Authorities (IALA) has six Estonian lighthouses on its list of 100 remarkable lighthouses: Kõpu, Ruhnu, Tahkuna, Keri, Pakri and Suurupi.
www.ristnaeiffel.ee