Come and discover the colorful oyster huts and the Vauban citadel, a 17th-century relic overlooking the port of Château-d’Oléron.
Climb the 244 steps of the Chassiron lighthouse, sail to Ile d’Aix via Fort Boyard, visit the fishing port of La Cotinière and its famous fish market. Last but not least, the sandy beaches invite you to swim and relax, while the many hiking trails let you discover our coastline and state forests.
TheIle d’Oléron is the largest French island on the Atlantic coast. It’s also known as “La Lumineuse”, famous for its wonderful sandy beaches and its natural environment rich in flora and fauna.
It is also home to a number of charming communes. If you’d like to visit the 10 must-see places on the Ile d’Oléron, here are the towns you can discover during your vacation at our 4-star Ile d’Oléron campsite.
Towns to visit on the island of Oleron
Le Grand-Village-Plage
A small seaside resort, Le Grand-Village-Plage attracts visitors with its large sandy beach and salt marsh with its typical Port des Salines. The Port des Salines nature park is dedicated to salt farming.
Saint-Trojan-les-Bains
Located in the southern part of the island, Saint-Trojan-les-Bains is in the heart of a vast pine forest. The town is one of the island’s main seaside resorts. Nature and well-being are the hallmarks of this resort. The Pointe de Gatseau site, a veritable natural showcase, remains one of the island’s must-see sites, rich in flora and fauna. Next to this wild-looking beach, you can enjoy the island’s only Thalasso spa, calm and relaxing.
You can also discover this state-owned forest by bike or on the little rail train. A real treat for the kids.
Dolus-d’Oléron
This charming little town has a double seafront, on the Atlantic Ocean to the west and on the Basque ring road to the east.
Dolus-d’Oléron is divided between woods, tides and culture, and boasts several beaches, some of which are dedicated to surfing.
The Fief Melin team’s favorite: Vert-Bois beach!
Boyardville
Situated opposite Fort Boyard, the town of Boyardville is famous for its marina, from which many cruise ships depart for La Rochelle, among other places. It’s an ideal spot for families, bordered by beautiful beaches and the Saumonards forest.
Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron
Oleron’s main town, often referred to as its capital, is home to major economic and commercial activities, including numerous hypermarkets.
Its historic center, partly pedestrianized, is structured around a number of emblematic monuments such as the Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron church, the lantern of the dead and the ancestral home where writer Pierre Loti is buried.
Don’t miss the chance to admire the multicolored flotilla before the auction at La Cotinière fishing port.
Saint-Georges-d’Oléron
Set off the island’s main road, the village of Saint-Georges-d’Oléron is well worth a visit, with its narrow streets, covered market and Romanesque church. The commune boasts a host of typical villages, including Boyardville, a must-see on the island, Chaucre, Domino and the Vignier sands, bordering the beautiful ocean-side beaches. Le Douhet, where the port is located.
Discover its fishing and yachting harbours, old quarters, markets and heritage, not forgetting its beautiful sandy beaches.
La Brée-les-Bains
La Brée-les-Bains is a recent commune (1953) with authentic charm, a seaside resort bathed in the Pertuis d’Antioche and facing the Ile de Ré and La Rochelle.
It’s a true haven of peace between marshes and colorful alleyways. At the entrance to the village, don’t miss the 15th-century Moulin de La Fontaine, one of the best preserved on the island of Oleron.
Saint-Denis-d’Oléron
Saint-Denis-d’Oléron is an exceptional environment where nature, authenticity and leisure activities come together. In this, the island’s most northerly commune, you can enjoy a wide range of leisure activities in a natural setting. The sheltered La Boirie beach is ideal for family bathing. Sports enthusiasts will find plenty to do at Les Huttes beach, on fishing trips or on the cycle paths along the coast. You can also take a stroll around the marina or take one of the daily cruises.
Not-to-be-missed sites on the island of Oleron!
Want to go sightseeing on the island of Oleron? Here are the main places of interest not to be missed during your camping holiday on the Ile d’Oléron!
Fort Boyard
Fort Boyard was built on a sand and rock bank of the same name under Napoleon between 1801 and 1859. It was built to protect the mouth of the Charente and the port of Rochefort from the English. It can’t be visited as it has become a filming location for a well-known TV show! However, we recommend guided cruises departing from Boyardville or Saint-Denis-d’Oléron.
Chassiron lighthouse
Located at the tip of the island, the Chassiron lighthouse has always helped fishermen and sailors to find their bearings and navigate the waters of the Pertuis d’Antioche.
If you’d like to visit, start by discovering theecomuseum on the second floor, which will reveal all the secrets of the coast’s inhabitants. Then climb the 224 steps and enjoy the unique view from the lighthouse.
The port of La Cotinière
Located to the west of the island of Oléron, the port of La Cotinière is the leading artisanal fishing port in Charente-Maritime. Despite its size, it ranks among the top 10 ports in France. To discover all its secrets, guided tours are organized, including a visit to the fish auction, where you can see the fish being sold alongside the fishmongers.
La Cotinière is also a very dynamic town, with all the shops and little restaurants that give it such charm. Take a stroll along the seafront or discover the night markets while enjoying an artisanal ice cream!
Le Port des Salines
Port des Salines is located in Grand-Village-Plage. Don’t hesitate to make a detour to one of the island’s most beautiful salt marshes! The Port des Salines has been awarded the “Pôle Nature” label, making it a quiet, natural spot.
From the eco-museum to guided tours and boat trips, you’ll discover the history of salt on the Ile d’Oléron and the inimitable know-how of the salt workers.
Boyardville
With its breathtaking view of Fort Boyard from the beach, discover Boyardville and embark on a sea trip to Fort Boyard, Ile d’Aix and La Rochelle. It also boasts a marina, an immense sandy beach and a 600-hectare state-owned forest. A true seaside resort focused on water sports.
Gatseau beach
Gatseau beach, located in Saint-Trojan-les-Bains in the south of the Ile d’Oléron, is surrounded by a large forest. Facing the mainland, it benefits from low exposure to the ocean, making it a safe place to be. In complete tranquillity, you can enjoy a family outing or take a stroll along the seafront. Leave your car in the center of Saint-Trojan and take the little train to Gatseau beach and the Pertuis de Maumusson.
Vert-Bois beach
Vert-Bois is one of our favorite beaches! It’s one of the most popular beaches on the island of Oleron, thanks to its blue flag and fine sand. Nestling on the edge of a forest, this atypical beach is still a wild place. If you love board sports, this is the beach for you!
Here’s a little extra tip: this beach is less than 15 minutes by bike from our campsite, and is one of the stops on the free summer shuttle bus that passes at the foot of Fief Melin!
160 km of cycle paths
Discover the cycle paths of the Ile d’Oléron and the Marennes d’Oléron basin: routes through marshes, forests and along the seafront, letting you appreciate the diversity of the landscape. Accessible to sportsmen and amateurs alike, these cycle paths will take you to the Vert-Bois beach, the citadel at Château d’Oléron, the Saumonards national forest and the marshes. The bravest among you can try the island crossing to the Chassiron lighthouse!
Good to know: Le Fief Melin campsite has bicycles available for hire, and you’ll find a map of cycle paths at reception to help you find your way around and plan your outings!
The bird swamp
Covering more than 130 ha, the Marais des oiseaux is a natural area in the heart of the Ile d’Oléron. Its 10-hectare park gives you the chance to discover wild and domestic fauna for educational purposes. Along the 1.5 km trail, you’ll find a mini farm, marsh wildlife, ducks, geese, birds of prey and much more, to delight the whole family.
Good to know: located between the communes of Dolus-d’Oléron and Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron, it is open daily from July 1ᵉʳ to August 31.
made in
CHARENTE
