Military fortifications
The legacy of a rich past, the island of Oléron and the Marennes basin are home to a unique heritage of military architecture. From the Château d'Oléron citadel to the Brouage stronghold and Fort Louvois, take advantage of your stay to visit these emblematic sites and plunge into the heart of history.
The Citadel of Château d'Oléron
The Citadelle du Château d'Oléron is a complex and remarkable fortified complex. Its role was to protect the mouth of the Charente and the port of Rochefort. The Citadelle was built in several stages from 1630 onwards, and is the result of 5 construction campaigns spread over 120 years. Begun under the reign of Louis XIII, on the initiative of Richelieu, the citadel was completed in the early 18th century by Vauban. Access to the citadel is free all year round, and temporary exhibitions are held on a regular basis. From the Porte Royale, you'll discover the citadel's Place d'Armes, and a little further east, the Arsenal. You can then extend your visit around the bastioned towers, the counter-guard or the covered walkways... A 2.5km discovery trail around the town's ramparts is also available. You'll have the opportunity to walk along footbridges, elevated passages and bridges spanning ditches, and discover moats, bastions and redans... Last but not least, many guided tours are organized here, especially during school vacations: traditional tours, educational tours, theatrical evening tours, mini-train tours...
Fort Louvois
Fort Chapus or Fort Louvois is located opposite Bourcefranc-LeChapus. Built on the rock of Le Chapus by Vauban in the late 17th century on the orders of Monsieur de Louvois, from whom it takes its name. Its cannons were designed to crossfire with those of the Château d'Oléron citadel, opposite, to prevent the passage of the English and protect the Rochefort naval arsenal. Recognizable by its horseshoe shape, take a tour of the keep, barracks, storehouse, powder magazine and guardhouse, and discover the unique architecture of Fort Boyard's "little brother". Open from April to October, you can get there either on foot, at low tide, via a 400-meter-long submersible walkway, or by boat from the port of Chapus at high tide. In high season (July-August), a wide range of daytime and evening entertainment is on offer.
The stronghold of Brouage
Founded in 1555 in the heart of the marshes, Brouage was first an important European salt trading center at a time when the sea was much higher. In the 17th century, under the impetus of Richelieu, the site was fortified to become a stronghold with a reputation for impregnability. The Citadelle de Brouage played a strategic role in the defense of the Saintonge coast on several occasions. In decline at the end of the 17th century, Vauban modified the citadel, reducing the importance of its numerous fortifications.
Today, Brouage may have lost its military character, but it has successfully undergone conversion, as evidenced by its recent designation as one of France's most beautiful villages. With its two-kilometre-long ramparts, oyster-farming port, designer and craft stores and numerous buildings steeped in history that have been transformed into exhibition venues, it remains an ideal walking destination for the whole family.Guided tours are offered all year round by the Tourist Office: history of the port, fortifications, military buildings... During your visit, we'll take you in the footsteps of the men who founded and transformed Brouage over the centuries.