Chassiron is a town located on the northern tip of the island of Oléron.
Nicknamed the "end of the world," you can visit the lighthouse, the gardens, and the museum.
First, the lighthouse...
It stands 46 meters tall, striped in black and white. The Chassiron lighthouse is in a strategic and dangerous location. The Pertuis d'Antioche is known for its numerous shipwrecks, and the lighthouse is an essential landmark for sailors, before being a tourist attraction.
Electrified since 1930 and since 1998, there is no longer a lighthouse keeper; everything is managed automatically and remotely.
Open to visitors since 2007, you must climb the 224 steps on foot to enjoy a superb panorama.
360-degree visibility allows you to see the entire coastline of the island, and if you're lucky, you might even see Fort Boyard.
The Lighthouse Museum...
The museum is housed in the former keepers' apartments. It provides a better understanding of the history of the lighthouse and the lives of the sailors and farmers of the region.
From April to September, you can take guided tours, ideal for discovering the natural marine environment of the Pertuis d'Antioche.
You'll also learn how the fish locks work.
The Lighthouse Gardens...
For lovers of French gardens, the garden at the foot of the lighthouse is designed in the shape of a compass rose, and is complemented by binoculars, information panels, and audio guides for the curious.
The Chassiron Lighthouse and its outbuildings have been listed as historical monuments since 2012.
Chassiron Lighthouse
Chassiron Point
17650, Saint-Denis-d'Oléron
https://la.charente-maritime.fr/incontournable/phare-chassiron
