Citadelle du Château d'Oléron

The citadel of Château-d'Oléron, one of the most remarkable defensive works built on the Atlantic coast of Charente-Maritime. Access is free all year round. Numerous guided tours are organized during school vacations.
Remparts Le Château d'Oléron
Arsenal Le Château d'Oléron
Citadelle
Citadelle

Dates & opening times

Open all days from 01/01 to 31/12 (all years)

Accès libre en permanence

Descriptif

A must-see for anyone visiting the island of Oleron.

Richelieu ordered its construction, which began in 1630 on the remains of the former medieval château. Work was directed by engineer Pierre d'Argencourt, who designed the first bastioned structure, before Louis Nicolas de Clerville 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 make way for a new fortified town laid out in a checkerboard pattern around the parade ground.

A fortress with a defensive function, the citadel also housed disciplinary corps, civil and religious internees during the Terror, and political prisoners in 1870.

On April 17, 1945, an aerial bombardment destroyed many parts of the citadel. Between 1959 and 1970, the first restoration work began. The fortress was restored in 1988.



Access to the citadel is free all year round. Numerous guided tours are organized, particularly during the school vacations: educational tours, theatrical evening visits and mini-train rides.

The rooms are home to artists' permanent studios and temporary exhibitions.

Tracking

Citadelle du Château d'Oléron La Citadelle17480, Le Château-d'OléronFrance

Itinerary

Characteristics

Utilities
Entertainments room
Film room
Auditorium
Exhibition space
Meeting room
Toilets
Cloakroom
Parking nearby
Services
Wi-fi
Available for private hire
Booking obligatory
Coach access
Room hire
Guided tours
Pets welcome
Local activities
Activity
Concert
Temporary exhibition
Permanent exhibition
Shows
Theatre
Discovery trail/orientation trail
Languages
French
Animals welcome
Yes
Disability access
Accessible for wheelchairs with assistance
Incline >5% but reasonable
Customers and groups
Groups
Room rental
Max. capacity
280
Benefits
Space adapted to the following requirements
Concert/events
Family Reception/drinks reception
Exhibition/trade fair
Seminar/meeting
Utilities
Amphitheater
Chair
Screen
Microphone
IT equipment
Paper board
Light engineering
Sound engineering
Stage
Cloakroom
Video projector
Wifi in room
Surroundings
Town location
In the historic centre
Close to pleasure port
Sea view
Panoramic view
Additional features
Vineyards and Discovery Accreditation
Visits
Visit possible
Yes
Services for individual visits
Unguided individual tours available permanently
Services for group visits
Guided group tours on request
Unguided group tours available permanently
Themes
Historic patrimony
Rampart
Military Patrimony
Categories
Classified
17th C

Charges

Gratuit

Contact

See number

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