Though hewn from stone, Cordouan is also a literary monument if one thinks of the number of works it has inspired. Its history is also the subject of a number of scholarly studies. In addition to these, popular culture relating to lighthouses developed in the nineteenth century, and Cordouan was a part of this. The lighthouse became the backdrop for fantastic literature. It also inspired painters, photographers, and the production of postcards. Kitsch souvenirs can be found in souvenir shops.
