The lighthouse known as the Phare de Chassiron on the Ile d’Oléron has become a major tourist attraction in recent years. The distinctive white and black-striped lighthouse offers impressive views of the Atlantic coast, allowing visitors to see not just the rest of the Ile d’Oléron but the Ile-de-Ré, the Ile d’Aix and La Rochelle too.

The lighthouse is situated at the extreme north of the island, close to Saint-Denis-d’Oléron, and is sometimes referred to as the lighthouse at the ‘end of the world’ or ’bout du monde’. Standing 46 metres high, the Phare de Chassiron’s powerful lights can be seen at a distance of up to 52 km or 28 nautical miles. Visitors have to climb up 224 steps to get to the top, but the views once you get there make it worth the effort!

Inside the lighthouse on the first floor there is also an exhibition space, devoted to a show called ‘Les Gens de la Côte entre terre et mer’ or ‘The people of the coast between the land and sea.’ This takes visitors through the history and everyday life of people on this island coast, and includes the powerful testimony of a young sailor who was shipwrecked at the furthest point of the island, the Pointe de Chassiron.

A lift is available to take people with reduced mobility to the exhibition area.

Another attraction next to the lighthouse itself are the Jardins du Phare or the lighthouse’s gardens. Here you can discover what plants grow in this maritime climate, find out more about the island’s local produce and history or simply admire the view of the lighthouse. There is also the lighthouse keeper’s house known as the ‘maison de la pointe’ which is used to house exhibitions or stage workshops.

History of the Phare de Chassiron

The current lighthouse was not the first to be built on the Ile d’Oléron. As the area was well-known for its tricky shoreline and was strategically important – because of the naval arsenal at Rochefort – the French state felt it necessary to provide protection for friendly shipping and a lookout against enemy vessels.

In particular ships were at risk in the straits between the two islands of Oléron and Ré called the Pertuis d’Antioche, one of the most dangerous stretches of water off the Charente-Maritime coast. So in 1685 under a plan devised by military engineer Vauban a 33-metre high tower was built on the Ile d’Oléron – it was designed to work in tandem with the lighthouse at the Pointe des Baleines on the Ile-de-Ré.

This tower served as Oléron’s lighthouse and watchtower until the early 19th century, when it was decided to build a bigger structure. So in 1836 the current lighthouse was built and was named the Phare de Chassiron after Baron Charles Gustave Martin de Chassiron (1818-1871), a notable diplomat who travelled to Japan and China.

The lighthouse has remained pretty much the same ever since, with one important exception. It was originally painted white but was sometimes confused by sailors with its similar-looking ‘twin’ the Phare des Baleines on the Ile-de-Ré. That was potentially dangerous. So in 1926 the three six-metre high black bands that are so distinctive today were painted.

Address and Contact Information
17650 Saint-Denis-d’Oléron

Tel: + 33 5 46 75 18 62
E-mail: pharechassiron@wanadoo.fr

Photo 1 & Photo 3 by bibliobess / CC BY 2.0 images cropped; Photo 2 by VV-17 / CC BY 2.0 image cropped