The Lighthouse Boat A wide selection of quality knives on the Isle of Ré

THE “LIGHTHOUSE” HAS BEEN THE PARADISE OF CUTLERY TRADITION SINCE 1992

For 30 years now, Bateau Phare has been offering you a wide selection of folding or straight knives. French production, with its diversity and history, first and foremost. But also knives from all countries, Japan, the United States, Spain, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Scandinavian countries and many others.

Whether it's folding knives or straight knives , leisure knives or work knives , you will benefit from the choice offered by a wide range and real advice.

Cutlery in Saint-Martin-de-Ré
31 rue de sully 17410 saint-martin-de-ré

Near the church of Saint-Martin de Ré, “the flagship boat” is unlike any other shop on this busy rue de Sully.

"Le bateau phare" is a special place, contrasting (if one can say so) with the other shops on rue de sully. And the first surprise is the shop itself, a former pharmacy whose woodwork and apothecary jars, still on their shelves, can still be appreciated. There the allusion to the field of pharmacopoeia ends. Because everywhere, there are... knives ! There are so many that you can't discover them all at a glance. There are simple ones and sculpted ones, small ones with colored handles that look harmless and larger ones with a menacing appearance. Pocket knives, table knives, kitchen knives or sailors' knives, from the simple Opinel to the artisanal creation, it's impossible not to find a knife to your hand in this Ali Baba's cave!

Passionate experts
Welcome to the little world of Sylvie and Luc de la Tranchade

When he took over the family shop in 1992, Luc de la Tranchade did not hesitate for long: he would become a cutler, like a reminder of his childhood passion. Because Luc was from a generation where having a knife in your pocket was commonplace. Between fishing trips, mushroom picking and trips to the pine forests, the young people were all little "MacGyvers". Thus was born "le bateau phare" in 1992. Accustomed to the production sites, Thiers and Laguiole, Luc de la Tranchade is interested in the entire spectrum of cutlery and the history of these regional and neo-regional knives bearing the names of the villages where they were born. Because selling knives is all well and good, but Luc could not be satisfied with the status of an expert in his field. So, about 15 years ago, with the support of his wife Sylvie who helps him in the shop, he launched his own production.

The adventure continues with knives designed and conceived by the captain of the "flagship". Thus was born the "rétha" which quickly became a success. This was followed by the "terre-mer" and the "insulaire", without forgetting the remarkable "huîtrier fermant", the first closing oyster knife in the world (excuse me for saying so). Developed with respect for tradition and excellence, Luc de la Tranchade's knives earned him a place on the jury of the "Meilleur Ouvrier de France" in the very special field of cutlery.