Chassiron lighthouse

A bit of history

Chassiron light­house, the main lighthouse of the island, is located in the north of the island of Oleron on the town of Saint-Denis.

It replaces a tower built at the initiative of Colbert in the seventeenth century.

In use since 1836, it is named after Baron Charles de Chassiron.

White for nearly a century, it was sometimes confused with the "lighthouse of the Whales" on Ré Island. To avoid accidents, black stripes were added to it.

Visit of the lighthouse

Chassiron lighthouse is 46 meters (150 ft) high and is visible from a 52 km (32 miles) distance in clear weather. It was automated in 1998.

An exhibition ("Les gens de la côte") can be seen in its rotunda.

On the first floor, accessible by an elevator, the museum presents the technologies used to power a lighthouse.

The splendid view from its summit rewards the effort made to climb its 224 steps.

Lighthouse Gardens

The gardens are organized as a compass. They illustrate how to grow vegetables and vines.

They show products grown on Oleron Island and puzzles on Chassiron lighthouse.