Denis Island Lighthouse

A lighthouse was first established on St Denis in 1883. A French shipping company who regularly visited the Island demanded one in 1881 saying that if one was not erected they would discontinue all services to The Seychelles.

In 1881 work began on the lighthouse on Denis. The lighthouse was to be built of coral stones and on 10th December as the tower reached 40ft it foundered causing severe injury to a number of labourers and prisoners who had been working on it. All work was paused pending an enquiry into the incident and it was not until early 1883 that work resumed. It was decided that rather than stone a wooden tripod would be used. The wooden tripod arrived from Mauritius and a lantern was fixed on top giving it a height of 55ft.

In 1885 the tripod was found to be in a dilapidated state and it was suggested a replacement should be built. It was not until 1890 that a suggestion for a new masonry tower was made but this was over ruled and a new hardwood tower 66ft high was built in 1892. It was not until December 20th 1893 that the new light was lit.

However yet again the clinate took its toll on the woodwork and by 1907 the structure was said to be in an "unsound state".
In March 1907 Governor Walter Edward Davidson reported to the secretary of state for the colonies regarding the state of the structure. He also made a request for the Seychelles to be given a grant of £400 towards the new lighthouse from Trinity House based on the fact that the ships who used the light for navigation were not all visiting The Seychelles but also passing by!!

In 1909 work began on the foundations and in August 1910 the lighthouse was completed with assistance from J H Brown an engineer from Trinity House. The lantern and optic was supplied by Chance Brothers of Smethwick near Birmingham and the light was visible for 25 miles.

The Seychelles have twice shown the Denis lighthouse on stamps in 1962 and 1983.

The lighthouse is no longer used for navigational purposes though had been updated to use solar power.