Site ostréicole et naturel de Fort-Royer

Fort Royer is a small village of traditional oyster huts in the middle of oyster beds and channels, facing an incredibly beautiful coastline in a nature reserve. The association promotes heritage and organizes discovery events.
Fort Royer
Fort Royer
Fort Royer
Fort Royer
Fort Royer
Fort Royer

Dates & opening times

Open from 01/02/2025 to 30/11/2025 the monday, tuesday, wednesday, thursday, friday

Les visites et animations se font uniquement sur réservation au 05 46 47 06 48
(Laissez un message si nous sommes en visite !)

Promotional offers

Une pause hors du temps pour découvrir Oléron, ses métiers traditionnels, ses patrimoines ancestraux et les saveurs authentiques de nos chers mollusques nacrés !

Sustainable tourism

Le village de Fort-Royer est inclus dans le périmètre de la réserve naturelle des marais de Moëze-Oléron. L'association est très attentive à la sauvegarde, la valorisation et la protection de l'environnement.

Services for cyclists

Cabane ouverte pour pique-niquer à l’abri, station de gonflage et de réparation pour les vélos, tables et bancs pour se reposer… Halte gratuite !

Tips for the photographer

Des lumières incomparables, une flore et une faune à portée d’objectif (reposoir très prisé pour des milliers d’oiseaux migrateurs)

Services for children

Ateliers de découverte dédiés aux 6 12 ans, tarifs réduits pour toutes les animations, petits coins « lecture et dessin » pour les enfants…

New for 2025

Dégustation découverte Animations exceptionnelles chaque mois

History, culture and heritage

Un village ostréicole traditionnel et authentique Un patrimoine ostréicole unique et protégé Un patrimoine naturel exceptionnel et protégé

Label "Vineyards and Discoveries"

Site labellisé "Vignobles et Découvertes": dégustation d’huîtres et de produits régionaux accompagnée de vin ou de limonade d’Oléron (uniquement dans le cadre des animations)

Descriptif

Experience the oyster-farming adventure! Discover an exceptional natural environment! Explore Oléron and the surrounding area!



Some forty colorful oyster huts planted on a coastline of incredible beauty opposite oyster beds and bouchots... A vast mudflat carpeted with bold plants, encircled by luminous dune belts... A parade of thousands of birds, emblems of exceptional flora and fauna... A unique estate, built in the midst of oyster beds and channels shaped by generations of sea farmers...

farmers of the sea... Are you there yet? Welcome to Fort-Royer, a small, authentic and traditional oyster-farming village, hidden away in the heart of a splendid nature reserve!



For 34 years, our association has been preserving the site and its nature, rebuilding the oyster-farming heritage to its original state, and promoting and animating these places where everything is a pretext for discovery, so that authentic oyster farming and the last craftsmen of the natural oyster live on.



You can visit the site following a guide who will show you all about oyster farming, from yesterday's traditions to today's craft, from breeding in the oyster beds, to maturing in the oyster beds, to working in the huts. Fort-Royer is a working oyster farm that defends the natural oyster and puts a capital letter on the letters of nobility of refining.



On the program:



Oyster farming in the village of Fort-Royer: choose the formula that suits you best!

1h discovery tasting or 1h guided tour or 2h guided tour



Discovery tasting 1h :

A short visit to discover oysters and oyster farming in the Marennes-Oléron Basin, ending with an oyster snack.

SHORT TOUR + 3-ODSTER TASTE: 1h SINGLE RATE: €7

Spring vacations (all zones), May, June and summer vacations: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 11 a.m.



Oyster farm guided tour 1h

Natural oysters and traditional oyster farming at Fort-Royer. In the heart of the village, run by 9 professionals, we tell you all about the natural oyster, this curious animal and its funny history, and then about the work of the peasants of the sea: the birth of oysters by chance, breeding in the beds, the work of the women in the hut, traditional maturing in the oyster beds... Discover our hut-museum and an oyster farming film dating back to 1907.

TOUR DURATION: 1h (BY RESERVATION) TOUR RATES: 6€/5€*

Winter, autumn (all zones) and September vacations: Tuesday to Friday at 3pm

Spring vacations (all zones), May and June: Tuesday to Friday at 5pm

Summer vacations: Mondays and Thursdays at 3pm and 5pm - Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 10am, 3pm and 5pm

Rest of the year: Tuesdays and Fridays at 3pm

Closed from mid-November to early February



Oyster farm guided tour (2h)

La Verte Marennes-Oléron and its unique merroir. Let us tell you about the great history of the oyster, from prehistoric man to the royal table, then to fishing on foot, heritage oyster-farming traditions and today's standards... Immerse yourself in the daily life of the peasants of the sea: oysters are born by chance, reared in the oyster beds, the work of the women in the huts, and traditional maturing in the oyster beds. Discover our 5-star oyster palaces, their culture broth and their precious vase, the mother of authentic marsh flavors: we'll give you the recipes for our Fines and Spéciales de claire! Visit our museum shack, a professional oyster washing platform and a 1907 oyster film.

TOUR DURATION: 2h (BY RESERVATION) TOUR RATES: €8/€7*

School vacations (all zones), May, June and September: Thursdays at 9:30 a.m.



Tasting of oysters or regional products

The association offers 2 tasting plates for events only:

- Assiette de Fort-Royer: €6.50 (6 fine natural oysters, lemon)

- Assiette douceur: 6.50 € (buttery olive cake, crunchy almonds and caramels with fleur de sel)

If you'd like to try your hand at oysters, or if you're just feeling greedy, opt for our oyster snack: 4 € (3 fine, natural oysters, lemon)

Each plate is served with a glass of white wine or artisanal lemonade from Oléron.



Play and learn" vacation activities

While the grown-ups visit, the younger ones have fun discovering!

Discovery workshop "P'tit scientifique": Let's explore the oyster farm, the oyster, its life, its beating heart and its organs, then oyster farming.

With a lot of courage, let's taste the plants of the salt marsh, go in search of other shellfish, seabirds or observe microscopic life... Each explorer will create an educational "souvenir": shell key-ring, magnet, herbarium or work of art made of sea leash...

DURATION: 1h SINGLE RATE: €5/child

WORKSHOP FOR CHILDREN aged 6 to 12 ONLY.

While the grown-ups enjoy their visit, the younger ones can take part in this workshop with an animator, just for them!

School vacations (all zones): at the same time as afternoon guided tours.



Fauna and flora at Fort-Royer

A very "natural" walk

A sensory exploration of coastal flora. Indispensable, rare, delicious or medicinal, the plants tell their own story... Stop off at the observatory, where binoculars and spotting scopes invite you to watch the parade of seabirds and marsh birds!

VISIT DURATION: 2h VISIT RATES: €8/€7*

School vacations (all zones), May, June and September: Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m.



Fort-Royer an adventure playground

Treasure hunt to devour

Embark on a fun-filled adventure that appeals to all 5 senses!

You've got 2h30, watch in hand, to complete 1 to 9 loops! Orientation, riddles, mysteries, sensory challenges, clue-finding, souvenir-making... Are you ready? Oyster farming, fauna, flora, heritage, the ROYA witch's lair... Treasure hunts! Explorer's Treasure and Pirate Shipwreck at Fort-Royer! Set off in search of Fort-Royer's lost treasure among the huts, sea and forest, armed with a map and a booklet including questions, memory games, riddles and rebuses. Points to locate, riddles to solve and clues to collect to get closer to the goal.

Game punctuated by 2 tastings of regional products (Fort-Royer natural oysters or fish terrines on seaweed shortbread / galette oléronaise with butter and fleur de sel caramels).

DURATION: 2h-3h RATES: 10€/8€*

During school vacations (all zones), May, June and September: Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. or 2:30 p.m.



Living with the sea on Oléron



Hike between sea and forest, to the bouchots facing Fort Boyard: Cross the historic Saumonards forest to discover its flora, fauna and the trade of the gemmakers. Understand the formation of the dunes, an essential but fragile natural bulwark against winter storms. Stroll along the beach, meet its inhabitants, including the most discreet, and identify the treasures left behind in the seawater, like so many clues to extraordinary marine life. End the tour at the foot of the bouchots (mussel beds) to learn more about mussel farming, under the enigmatic eye of Fort Boyard, with the silhouette of La Rochelle in the distance. Walking, pinewoods, iodine and warm sand: a breath of fresh air with very natural benefits.



Or



Hike along the rocky coast: extraordinary animals, precious seaweed, old trades and legends During low tide, the rocks reveal their treasures, a discovery of "casses en crasses" full of surprises Seaweed, crustaceans, anemones, starfish,

sponges, slugs, shells... a veritable living spectacle suspended between two tides, a playful and responsible approach to a fabulous and mysterious ecosystem, an open-air aquarium! Discover the history of algae and mankind: the collection of Brown Gold and the surprising uses of these strange plants since prehistoric times. Listen to the legends and promises of this hostile yet nourishing coast! A whole history! For the more curious: an impromptu tasting of fresh seaweed on the rocks as you watch the sea rise.



TOUR DURATION: 2h TOUR RATES: €8/€7*

DATES AND TIMETABLE: School vacations (all zones), May, June and September: Thursday or Friday at

9:30 a.m. (tour selected by our team according to tides)

La Cotinière, a fishing port and sailors

Man-eater and soul-eater, a job told by a fisherman's wife.

Guided tour of the fishing port of La Cotinière, ranked 7th in France and 1st in Charente-Maritime. Dive into the heart of this ancestral profession: the history of the port (from the natural shelter 200 years ago, to the third "deep-water" basin, fishing (oars, sails then motors, hemp nets to selective trawls). Discover the fleet of around 100 boats and 300 sailors; the difficulties and dangers of seafaring occupations; fishing techniques (trawls and pots, lines and nets); selectivity, species and regulations. La Cotinarde, doyenne septuagénaire, the 20-meter-long L'Outsider, lifeboats (from L'Étoile de la Mer to L'Étoile Cotinarde), this walk will also take you into the daily lives of sailors, fishmongers and lifeguards... Come and meet these salty faces, ashore between two tides.

DURATION: 2h RATES: €8/€7*

Fridays at 9:30 am or 2:30 pm - Departure: La Cotinière chapel forecourt





New for 2025: Monthly special events

Every month, our team organizes a special event in addition to the regular program. Creative and educational children's activities, evening discovery tastings, themed family treasure hunts....



February 18: Children's workshop, oyster salt dough 2pm to 5pm snack offered

March 6: Children's workshop, mobile and shells 14h to 17h snack offered

April 19: Family Easter treasure hunt 9:30am to 12pm

May 1: 10 a.m. Storytelling stroll for grown-ups, special 2-hour children's workshop

+ 12pm photo competition results and afternoon snack!

June 20: Discovery tasting at 6:30pm with a selection of 6 oysters from our producers

July 14: Discovery tasting at 6:30pm with a selection of 6 oysters from our producers

August 15: Discovery tasting at 6:30pm with a selection of 6 oysters from our producers

September 12: Discovery tasting at 6:30pm with a selection of 6 oysters from our producers

October 21: Children's workshop, salt dough and shells 2pm to 5pm snack offered

November 2: Family Halloween treasure hunt 2pm to 5pm

SINGLE ADMISSION: €10



ALL VISITS AND EVENTS MUST BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE

05 46 47 06 48

Tracking

Site ostréicole et naturel de Fort-Royer Allée de Fort-RoyerFort-Royer, BP 43 - La Perrotine ( à côté de Boyardville)17310, Saint-Pierre-d'OléronFrance

Itinerary

Characteristics

Utilities
Sustainable development
Waste management
Picnic area
Entertainments room
Exhibition space
Restaurant
Covered picnic area
Car park
Free car park
Public WC
Services
Wi-fi
Free WiFi access
Stroller-accessible
Tourist brochures
Tourist information
Booking obligatory
Booking of general amenities
Coach access
Set down on-site for groups
Shop
Ticketing in number
Themed tour
Tour free of charge
Guided tours
Educational visits
Local activities
Activity
Children's entertainment
Handicrafts workshops
Product tasting
Botanic trail
Languages
English
French
Disability access
Accessible for wheelchairs with assistance
Reserved space 330 cm wide < 100 m from the site
Possibility of drop-off in front of the site
WC + grab handle + adequate space to move
Payment method
Bank/credit card
Check
Cash
Credit transfer
Customers and groups
Walkers/hikers
Groups
Welcome for business/incentive groups
Home school groups
Holiday Camps Home
Children from 3 to 5 years
Children from 6 to 12 years
Young people from 13 to 17 years old
Specially for children
Children
Special rate for jobseekers
Students
Special rate for single-parent families
Special rate for large families
Special rate for disabled people
Cycle 1: nursery school
Cycle 2: elementary School
Cycle 3: elementary school (CM1, CM2)
Cycle 3: college (6th)
Cycle 4: middle School
High school
Higher Education
Max. group size
100
Surroundings
Cycling itinerary less than 1 km away
Marked hiking trails less than 500 m away
Cycle track/route within 500 m
10 - 20 min walk to bus stop
Close to a public transportation
Bus stop < 500 m
Near shuttle stop
Close to pleasure port
Village 2 km away
Panoramic view
Additional features
Unusual
Famille Plus
Vineyards and Discovery Accreditation
Qualité Tourisme™
Michelin guide
Minimum age
24 month
Visits
Visit possible
Yes
Services for individual visits
Guided individual tours available permanently
Guided individual tours on request
Unguided individual tours available permanently
Services for group visits
Guided group tours on request
Themes
Environment and nature
Occupation
Sciences and technology

Charges

From 01/02/2025 to 30/11/2025
Full price
6€

Contact

See number Website

Your data is used exclusively by us to distribute our Information. They are neither shared nor sold to third parties. In conformity with the European and French laws in force, notable law no. 78-17 of 6 January 1978 on Computers, files and liberties, the Tourism Office informs you that you have the general right of access, correction and removal of the entirety of your personal information which we possess. You can exercise your right by contacting: L'Office de Tourisme de l'Ile d'Oléron et du Bassin de Marennes - 22 rue Dubois Meynardie 17320 Marennes, tel: +33 (0) 5 46 85 65 23, fax : +33 (0) 5 46 85 68 96

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