Musée de l’île d’Oléron: collections, exhibitions, events… everything you need to know before your visit
In the heart of Saint-Pierre, the Musée de l’île d’Oléron invites you to discover the history of the island and traditional Oleronian activities. You’re sure to learn a lot!
An introduction to the island of Oleron!
Located in the heart of Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron, the museum is an excellent introduction to the island. It offers a comprehensive overview of traditional local activities, such as viticulture, salt-making, gem-making, oyster farming and fishing. More than 500 authentic objects bear witness to daily life in the past and tell the story of the island’s inhabitants.
The visit is very interesting and allows visitors to discover the many facets of the island of Oléron. Sound effects, oral testimonies from former Oleron residents, and fun and educational features all help to bring this small museum full of character to life. A must for your camping vacation in Oléron!
PERMANENT EXHIBITIONS
The “thieuzine”: at the heart of everyday life in 19th-century Oleron
The “thieuzine” is the name given to the only living room in the Oléron house of yesteryear. This multifunctional room served as kitchen, dining room and bedroom for all family members. Furniture, everyday objects and kitchen utensils recreate the living environment of Oléronian families of the time.
Winegrowing, an ancestral activity
For centuries, viticulture has been one of the island’s main economic resources. Oleron’s vineyards produced wine and brandy for the Cognac region. One of the highlights of the collection is an impressive wine press dating from 1732, illustrating the ingenuity of ancient winegrowers.
Discovering gemmage, the art of harvesting pine resin
Until 1971, gemmage – the extraction of pine resin – was carried out in the Saumonards and Saint-Trojan-les-Bains forests . After distillation, the resin was used to obtain two products essential to industry: rosin and turpentine, used in papermaking glues, paints, varnishes, soaps and synthetic products (rubber, perfumes, etc.) A collection of tools and illustrations details this vanished know-how.
The salt harvest: in the footsteps of the salt workers
The island of Oleron has long prospered thanks to its salt, a very important activity that has shaped the landscape. For centuries, before the invention of the refrigerator, salt was used to preserve food. A tactile model will give you a better understanding of how
Fishing on Oléron: a living tradition
Fishing is one of Oleron’s oldest traditions. Part of the museum is devoted to
Oleron headdresses and costumes
Did you know that nine different headdresses were worn by the island’s women? The museum presents a unique collection of these traditional headdresses, accompanied by period costumes. You’ll discover outfits for fishermen, weddings and mourning, as well as a collection evoking the emergence of seaside tourism, with swimwear and beachwear from the XIXᵉ century.
Visits, activities and fun workshops at the museum
Throughout the year, the Musée de l’île d’Oléron offers a wide range of activities and events for all ages: guided tours, fun workshops for children, treasure hunts, tastings of local produce, escape games (July/August only). Each year, a temporary exhibition enriches the cultural offering, focusing on local history or contemporary art.
Also worth reading: What to visit in and around Saint-Pierre d’Oléron?
Practical info
- Address: 9 Place Gambetta, 17310 Saint-Pierre d’Oléron. Tel. : 05 46 75 05 16
- Full price: €4.50, concessions: 3 €n 6-18 years old: 1 €.
- Opening hours: July-August: daily, 10am-7pm. April, May, June, September, October: daily, 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm. February, March, November, December 1 to 15: Tuesday to Sunday, 2pm to 6pm.
- Website: www.musee-ile-oleron.fr
