On Ile d’Oléron, its distinctive white and black-striped lighthouse offers impressive views of the Atlantic coast.
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.
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