Les Huttes beach in Saint-Denis-d’Oléron: swimming, surfing and fresh air

North of the island of Oleron, on the west coast, the Plage des Huttes in Saint-Denis-d’Oléron awaits you for a day of sun, waves, fine sand and pebbles. We tell you why this beach is one of the most popular on the island of Oleron.

What you need to know about Plage des Huttes

Located between the Chassiron lighthouse and Saint-Denis d’Oléron, Plage des Huttes is the most northerly beach on the Ile d’Oléron. It is regularly ranked as one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. This pretty beach of sand and pebbles stretches for around 5 kilometers. In its central part, it is bordered by a few campsites and pretty blond dunes that give it a wilder air. There’s a beach bar and toilets nearby.

Walking southwards, you come to the Chaucre beach in St Georges d’Oléron. Heading north, you reach the rocky coastline and cliffs of Chassiron.

North of Oléron surf spot

Here, the swell is generous and the winds often well-directed: surfing enthusiasts flock here all year round. Surfing, bodyboarding, kitesurfing and windsurfing are all practiced here.

TheDiabolo Fun school, founded in 1988, welcomes you every day for sessions accessible to all. You can also rent paddles, take a windsurfing lesson or sign up for a catamaran course. See the site

Supervised swimming and safety in summer

In summer, the Huttes beach is supervised from 11am to 7pm. The lifeguard station is located at the main entrance to the beach, off rue Alain Gerbault. The beach slopes gently down to the sea and you can walk for a long time, but beware of the waves which can sometimes surprise you.

Please note: dogs are not allowed on the beach in summer (June 15 to September 15).

How to get to Les Huttes beach: directions, parking, bike paths and shuttle bus

By bike :

Plage des Huttes is accessible by bike from St-Denis d’Oléron via the village of La Michelière.

By car :

From Saint-Denis-d’Oléron, drive 1.5 km on the D734 towards Saint-Pierre, then turn right towards La Michelière and Les Huttes. One kilometer further on, turn left onto rue des Seulières. There are several entrances to the beach, but the easiest is to turn right onto rue Alain Gerbault, then continue to rue des Dunes. Free parking near the beach

Summer shuttle :

In July and August, a free shuttle bus runs to the beach from the towns and the island, as well as from campsites on the Ile d’Oléron.

Live webcam from Les Huttes beach

Want a taste of your day on Les Huttes beach? A live webcam lets you admire the beach at any time. Observe weather conditions, crowds or simply the beauty of the landscape before your visit. → See Les Huttes beach live

By the way, why is Les Huttes beach so called?

Plage des Huttes owes its name to the fishermen’s huts that once occupied the shoreline. These reed “huts” provided shelter for Oléronnais fishermen, but also served as hunting lodges for marsh dwellers.

Nature outings are organized on Les Huttes beach to raise awareness of the need to protect the dune environment and its species. It’s also an opportunity to discover the Grand Marais Papineau ornithological reserve, which adjoins Les Huttes and Les Seulières beaches.