QVAND IADMIRE RAVI CEST ŒVVRE EN MON COVRAGE
MON DE FOIX MON ESPRIT EST EN ESTONNEMENT.
PORTE DANS LES PENSERS DE MON ENTENDEMENT
LE GENTIL INGENIEVX DE CE SVPERBE OVVRAGE.
LA IL DISCOVRT EN LVY ET DVN MVET LANGAGE
TE VA LOVANT SVBTIL EN CE POINT MESMEMENT
QUE TV BRIDES LES FLOTS DV GRONDEVX ELEMENT
ET DVN MVTIN NEPTVNE LA TEMPESTE ET LORAGE.
O TROIS ET QVATRE FOIS BIENHEVREVX TON ESPRIT
DE CE QVAV FRONT DRESSE CE PHARE IL ENTREPRIT
POVR SE PERPETVER DANS LHEVREVSE MEMOIRE.
TV TES AQVIS PAR LA VN HONNEVR INFINI
QVI NE FINIRA POINT QVE CE PHARE DE GLOIRE
LE MONDE FINISSANT NE SE RENDE FINY.
All the parts of the primitive construction still exist, and have undergone but little alteration during successive restorations; but such is not the case with the upper portion, which has been completely destroyed, from the gradual sinking of the tower.
Above the second gallery, the dome of the chapel was ornamented on the outside by richly sculptured dormer-windows, forming the second tier of windows of that story. It was surmounted by a circular pavilion, vaulted, and decorated with composite pilasters, whose entablature was crowned by the open balustrade of an outer gallery leading into the lantern. This lantern—whose dimensions were somewhat limited—was built of hewn stone, and composed of eight arcades, whose piers were embellished with columns, and whose cupola terminated in a shaft to carry off the smoke of the furnace.
Under Louis XV., in 1727, an iron structure was substituted for this stone lantern, whose masonry had been calcined by the fire, and whose broad piers, moreover, had the serious inconvenience of obscuring a very considerable portion of the light; but the furnace was kept at the same elevation; namely, about 120 feet above the level of the highest seas.
This elevation, as it did not enable the light to be seen at a sufficient distance, was soon pronounced unsatisfactory. A scheme to raise it 100 feet was planned by the Chevalier de Borda, who submitted it to Teulère, the chief engineer to the city of Bordeaux. The latter pointed out that it was both imperative and possible to increase the height by 65 feet. His designs were accepted, and their successful execution, in 1788 and 1789, in spite of many dangers, procured for Teulère a reputation scarcely inferior to that of De Foix himself.
The light is now placed at an elevation above high-water level of 190 feet, and above the ground of 205 feet. But, regarded from an artistic point of view, we must confess that the lighthouse has by no means gained. There is a certain dryness about the too naked forms of the modern construction, which contrasts in a manner much to be deplored with the elegance and richness of the Renaissance work. The present summit (couronnement) is by no means equal to that which formerly existed. Yet, as Reynaud justly observes, the first impression which the edifice produces leaves no room for regret; you are penetrated with a profound feeling of admiration the moment you find yourself in the presence of this majestic monument, towering with so sublime a boldness above the bosom of the ocean.