At the very top left of the island, close to Saint-Denis-d’Oléron, you'll find the Chassiron Lighthouse, the oldest working lighthouse in Charente-Maritime. It stands out with its stylish black and white stripes.
The first tower of the Chassiron
The first tower of the Chassiron Lighthouse was built in 1685 under the orders of Colbert. It stood at a height of 33 meters. It was the second lighthouse constructed on the French coast, with the first one being Cordouan Lighthouse built in 1355. Rochefort played an important role as a military base for the royal navy. Its location was strategically significant, being protected by the Charente River on the land side and the Charente passages and maritime fortifications like Fort Louvois, Fort Enet, and Fort Vauban on the seaside.
The rugged northern coastline of the island experienced many shipwrecks, which made it necessary to build a lighthouse to guide sailors and mark the entrance to the passages. To distinguish it from nearby lighthouses such as the one in Baleines on the island of Ré and Cordouan Lighthouse, the Colbert tower was lit by two wooden fires.
Construction in 1834
The Chassiron Lighthouse was built in 1834 on a rocky cliff known as the "end of the world point." It proudly stands as the tallest point on Oléron reaching a height of 46 meters. It was first illuminated in 1836, guiding ships with its powerful beam of light !
Feel free to climb the 224 steps and enjoy a breathtaking 360-degree view. From the top, you can see the northern part of the island, the Vendée coast, the islands of Aix and Ré, and the iconic Fort Boyard. Additionally, there is a beautiful garden at the base of the lighthouse, designed in the shape of a compass rose. During low tide, you can catch a glimpse of the traditional horseshoe-shaped fish traps along the rocky shore.
