Must-sees on Oléron

September is just around the corner. The sun is still warming the land and the sea… What if you took advantage of it to extend your vacations? The largest French island on the Atlantic coast, thel’île d’Oléron is famous for its authentic charm, small villages and rich maritime heritage. Your Saint-Tro’Park campsite, in Saint-Trojan-les-Bains, has put together a list of the many things to do on the island in summer and winter alike, including a few not-to-be-missed places to visit or do in late summer.

1 / Visit the Chassiron lighthouse

We’re off for a half-day tour of this must-see site on the northern tip of theIle d’Oléron, around 30 kms from the Saint-Tro’Park campsite! After 224 steps, you reach the top of the lighthouse and its rotunda. A unique 360° panorama of the Pertuis d’Antioche, the tip of theisland and the ocean awaits you. Its museum on the themes of fishing and agriculture teaches you a great deal about life in days gone by and the hardships caused by the vagaries of the climate. At the foot of the Chassiron lighthouse, visit the compass rose garden. That’s all there is to it… It’s up to you to count the number of rose varieties and all the rest…. as this place is also labelled a “remarkable garden”!

2 / Take the Saint-Trojan mini-train to idyllic beaches

From Saint-Trojan-les-Bains station, you’ll board a train like no other… This 12 km round trip will take you to the wilds of the Pertuis de Maumusson. With its idyllic landscapes, sandy beaches and pine forests inaccessible by road, the Pointe de Gatseau beach offers a magnificent view.

3 / Take the oyster route

Between Château-d’Oléron and the port of Boyardville, follow the Route des Huîtres and its oyster-farming channels along 5 km of coastline. This sensory and gustatory stroll invites you to discover the star of the marsh: the Marennes Oléron oyster. Numerous oyster huts await you, where you can sample one of the region’s most famous delicacies… To be enjoyed plain, with butter and/or lemon bread, not forgetting a little white wine!

4 / Take a tour of Fort Boyard

Fort Boyard is not open to visitors all year round, summer or winter. In fact, the only way to admire it up close is to take a cruise around it. A must-see event for all fans of heritage, of the fort in particular or of the TV show from which it takes its name, embark on one of the many cruises available from Boyardville. From naval battles to the enigmas of Père Fouras, the symbol of the Département is the fruit of a rich and complex history…

Photo “Le petit train de Saint-Trojan” (credit: guide-charente-maritime.com )