Discover Oléron,
an island with an exceptional heritage
A stroll along the port of La Cotinière
Distinguished by the title of leading fishing port in Charente-Maritime (and 7ᵉ nationally), the port of La Cotinière is an essential stopover during your camping holiday on the Ile d’Oléron.
While you’ll fall under the spell of this picturesque, colorful port in the commune of Saint-Pierre d’Oléron, you’ll also be charmed by the multitude of stores and boutiques of all kinds (over 70 shops and restaurants open from April to the end of October).
Throughout the year, the fishing port of La Cotinière offers more than 25 shops and services, as well as a daily market (except Mondays in winter). In the harbor, the Victorine market (also open in the afternoons) and the Pêcheries de La Cotinière offer fresh seafood, unloaded directly from the boats.
Must-see sites on the island of Oleron
The citadel of Château-d’Oléron is a must-see site located at the southeastern tip of the island of Oléron. Decided by Richelieu in the 17ᵉ century to protect the island, it was enlarged and fortified by Vauban. The fortifications and remains of military buildings take us back into history. Le Château d’Oléron is also a seaside resort with many assets that are sure to seduce you: its seaside, its Phibie lake renowned for welcoming families, its great diversity in the choice of nautical, sporting, festive and cultural activities.
For lovers of maritime and gastronomic heritage, the port of Château-d’Oléron and the riches of its channel, home to no fewer than 100 oyster-farming businesses. The Chenal d’Ors and its oyster port, a major oyster transit point, play a major role in the Marennes-Oléron basin. The numerous oyster beds, built on former salt marshes, form a unique coastal landscape. These oyster beds, rich in blue navicula, give all their flavor to the oysters, which fatten and acquire a unique hue and taste.
Our favorites: the harbor & the artists’ corner set up in the colorful old oyster huts, the big Sunday morning market-fair in the town center and, of course, the producers’ huts for oyster tastings at all hours!
Fort Boyard and Boyardville
The emblem of Charente-Maritime and the Ile d’Oléron, Fort Boyard is a must-see. Although you can’t visit it, you can get as close as possible by boat from Boyardville, where a number of companies offer a variety of services to discover this stone vessel built on a sandbank. Maritime shuttles are also available to reach the Ile d’Aix and La Rochelle.
Boyardville, located in the commune of Saint-Georges-d’Oléron, is a small seaside resort and fishing and yachting port. Its name comes (naturally) from Fort Boyard, as the construction site and materials warehouses were erected there, and the workers lived there.
Boyardville beach offers an exceptional view of the maritime building just a few kilometers offshore. Not to be missed: the salmon forest and beach, the quays of the perrotine channel, the port, the stores, the day and night markets, the shady bike paths…
Saint-Denis-d’Oléron and its marina
The picturesque village of Saint-Denis-d’Oléron is a must-see during your vacation on the island of Oléron, with its rich heritage. Explore the old quarters and admire the small whitewashed houses with their colorful shutters.
As you stroll along, you’ll discover the “cantons”, ancient wells still in use, and the12th-century Romanesque church that watches over the village. Along the seafront, the many colorful huts recall the days of the first seaside resorts.
Finish your exploration by enjoying the lively atmosphere of the marina, and take a seat on a café terrace to take in the view of the boats coming and going on the waves.
Chassiron lighthouse
Of course, as on any island, a large part of its heritage is turned towards the sea. Leading the way is the Chassiron lighthouse, located at the northern tip of the island of Oléron. Its black and white lines and 224 steps make it an emblem of La Lumineuse. Commissioned in 1836, this 46 m giant made of Crazannes stone dominates the tip of the island, guiding sailors and marking the entrance to the channels.
If its ascent is worth the detour(360° panorama), this corner deserves much more attention, you’ll appreciate the breathtaking scenery of this seafront carved into the cliff, of this “end of the world as” some like to nickname the Pointe de Chassiron. At low tide, you’ll be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the fish locks, a fishing technique introduced in the 17ᵉ century. Don’t miss a visit to the museum housed in the former keepers’ apartments to discover the history of the lighthouse and the lives of local sailors and farmers.
Enjoy a stroll through Chassiron’s French garden, laid out in the shape of a compass rose, with four ponds, educational furniture, a “contemporary garden” section with grasses and other ornamental plants, and a more traditional garden section with over 20 varieties of roses, a vegetable garden and vines.
Le Port du Douhet
The Port du Douhet, at the northeastern end of the commune of Saint-Georges d’Oléron, nestles in the Anse de la Malconche and is home to up to 350 boats.
There are restaurants, a crêperie, an atmospheric bar and even a discotheque, making it a lively place throughout the summer season. In June, don’t miss the Port and Sea Festival!
The village of Fort-Royer
Located on the eastern coast of the Ile d’Oléron, south of Boyardville, Fort-Royer is a century-old oyster farming village still in operation.
This preserved natural area, the cradle of oyster farming and recommended by the Guide du Routard, is promoted by the Fort-Royer Oyster and Natural Site Association, which offers visits to discover the world of oysters (birth at sea, rearing in the oyster beds, the work of the women in the huts, traditional maturing in the oyster beds…) as well as the flora and fauna of this exceptional site, with oyster tasting as the highlight of the visit!
Saint-Trojan-les bains
Nature, beauty and well-being characterize this seaside resort in the south of the island. The Belle Époque villas all along the seafront and in the town mark the beginnings of sea bathing and the democratization of vacations.
With its harbor and typical boats, water-based activities (sea kayaking, surfing, sand yachting, fishing…) and shuttle service to La Tremblade, the town is a seafront town with a rich heritage. It’s not for nothing that the only thalassotherapy center in La Lumineuse is perched on the seafront of this adorable town.
Saint-Trojan is also a place where flora and fauna are well represented, the mimosa is the town’s emblem, and the Fête du mimosa in February is a very important event for the region.
On foot, by bike or on the little train, the state forest is well worth the detour. Wild and fragrant, it offers wonderful walks. The Gatseau beach, lined with pine trees, is very popular.
Water sports and family activities on the Ile d’Oléron
Get ready for some of the most exciting family adventures on the island of Oleron! Start with a boat trip around Fort Boyard – a must-see for young and old alike.
Then give your youngest guests the chance to become apprentice sailors, with sailing lessons specially adapted for them. Then set off to discover the oyster-farming huts of Fort-Royer, where a gourmet treasure hunt livens up your visit in high season. And if you want to immerse yourself in nature, there’s nothing like a walk in the Marais aux Oiseaux: educational trails will help you discover this emblematic environment of the region.
Finally, on the Ile d’Oléron, there’s only one public swimming pool: the Iléo water park in Dolus-d’Oléron, with its facilities that delight young and old alike.
Off-season sports and leisure pool with swimming pool, balneo-relaxation pool and play equipment (slide, massaging jets, outdoor river open all year round), fitness area, wellness area (with sauna, hammam, balneo pool and jacuzzi). In July and August, it transforms into a huge water park with fun outdoor areas: pentagliss, buoy rivers, wave pool, lagoon, artificial surf wave, inflatable structures, vast grassy beaches planted with trees…
As you can see, there’s always something for the whole family to discover on Oléron!
