Perched on the most northerly point of the island, Saint Denis d'Oléron is a little seaside resort just how you like them: pale, sandy beaches, little marina, and of course, the famous Chassiron lighthouse, which welcomes nearly 160,000 visitors each year. A visit not to be missed on your camping holiday near Saint Denis d'Oléron!
AT THE "END OF THE WORLD ": THE CHASSIRON LIGHTHOUSE
The 46-metre-high Chassiron Lighthouse attracts you from afar, with its alternate painted bands of black and white that distinguish it from the Baleines lighthouse on the neighbouring Île de Ré. When you’ve gone up the 224 steps that lead to the top, you will be rewarded for your efforts by a magnificent 360° view. Within the lighthouse, a museum and an animated installation illustrate the life of the sailors and farmers of the Oléron area. Before you go on to new adventures, stop awhile among the paths of the Chassiron gardens, that won a prize in the Victoires du Paysage competition of 2008, and are listed as a “remarkable garden”.
To add historical details, the Chassiron lighthouse as it appears today dates from 1834. It was rebuilt on the foundations of an old lighthouse from the 17th century whose light was a fire. Today, it is listed as an historical monument.
THE BEST THINGS ABOUT THE CAMPSITE:
- The watersports centre at Saint Denis d'Oléron and the great watersports: sailing, surfing, kitesurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, waterskiing, and so much more.
- The marina, and walking along the north jetty with its view over the Boyard Fort and the bridge to the Île de Ré.
- The events in the summer held in the port of Saint Denis d'Oléron: traditional festivals, fireworks, and the gatherings of old ships, to mention only a few.
*Photo : Saint Denis d Oleron - Cabanes de plage © CMT17 E. COEFFE
