Curiosities on Oleron Island

Origin of the name "Oleron"

A possible etymological origin of the island name might be "Insula Olerum", meaning "the island of perfumes".

Storm

When the storm of 1999 happened, the wind blew strongest in France in the island of Oleron, with a speed of 198 km/h (123 mph).

Bridges and tunnels

Since the late nineteenth century, several projects to connect the island to the mainland were designed but not accomplished.

Among them was a railway tunnel due to Jules Fleury.

Rivalries between north and south

Until the first half of last century, a rather strong rivalry existed between north and south of the island.

The train

In the first third of the twentieth century, a narrow gauge train linked the main villages.

Some stations still exist. Saint-Pierre d'Oléron's one is currently used by buses.

A UFO in the sky

The UFO seen in the sky the first day of 2010 was actually a Thai lantern dropped by tourists coming from Holland.

Orleans Island

Orleans Island, near Quebec City, has striking geographical and cultural similarities with the island of Oleron. An association is being formed to work to their rapprochement and a site is dedicated to "2 Îles d'O.".