Brouage and the Hermione

We present on this page interesting visits to be made near the island of Oleron.

Brouage

Brouage was once a salt port located on the ocean. In the seventeenth century, the construction of the citadel at the instigation of Richelieu transformed it into a military port.

Nowadays, Brouage is surrounded by marshes. You can walk on the ramparts and visit the church and military buildings. The tourist office offers guided tours.

Samuel Champlain, founder of Quebec City, was born in Brouage.

The citadel of Brouage is located seven miles from the bridge of Oleron.

The Hermione

In march 1780, the Marquis de La Fayette started a journey on the Hermione towards America. This three-masted frigate of 65 meters was built in the arsenal of Rochefort.

Since 1992, the Association Hermione-La Fayette is working on the reconstruction of the Hermione. The site is opened to the public. The inside of the Hermione can be visited by reservation.

In 2012, the Hermione will remake the journey of La Fayette to Boston.

Rochefort, where the Hermione is rebuilt, is twenty-eight kilometers from the bridge of Oleron.