Le Château d'Oléron
Château d'Oléron is the historic capital of the island of Oléron, located on the south-eastern tip of the island. You can't go to Château d'Oléron without visiting its imposing citadel. You'll also be seduced by this authentic village, which comes alive every morning with its daily market. And don't forget to stop off at the artists' and creators' huts on the oyster-farming port, a must-see!
In the footsteps of Vauban...
Château d'Oléron offers a wealth of heritage and history. The Château d'Oléron citadel is a must-see for anyone visiting the island. Richelieu ordered its construction, which began in 1630 on the remains of the ancient medieval château. Work was directed by engineer Pierre d'Argencourt, who designed the first bastioned structure, before Louis Nicolas de Cerville modified and enlarged it. The citadel and town were completed in 1700 under Vauban's orders. During this last phase of work, part of the old town was razed to the ground to make way for a new fortified town laid out in a checkerboard pattern around the parade ground.
It is an integral part of the network of fortifications scattered along the coastline, protecting the Rochefort arsenal as well as the Brouage salt storehouse. Bombed on April 17, 1945 and largely destroyed, the citadel lay abandoned for many years. It wasn't until the mid-80s that the town was able to purchase the fortification and restore it. Now fully restored, the citadel is open to visitors all year round... giving you the chance to enjoy beautiful views of the Château d'Oléron oyster port, the Charente channel and the Oléron Island bridge.... Finally, the powder magazine and arsenal host temporary exhibitions in summer.
Did you know? The tourist office offers a 3km discovery tour of the heritage of Château d'Oléron, its historic quarter and picturesque streets. A free leaflet is available from the Tourist Office (starting point).
From oyster huts to artists' cabins
Discover a designer village like no other, where oyster farmers and designers rub shoulders. Around thirty artists and craftspeople welcome you to the heart of the old town, on the oyster-farming site in the citadel of Château d'Oléron. These workshops are open all year round, providing a permanent hub of artistic and tourist activity.
Don't hesitate to stroll along the channels - where the barges loaded with oyster bags still circulate - and push open the doors of the workshops. You'll discover unique worlds, a wide variety of crafts and materials, and above all, enthusiasts with more than one skill in their bag: painting, sculpture, ceramics or cutlery, as well as wrought ironwork, luthiery, woodturning, marquetry or illumination, to name but a few.