Bourcefranc-Le Chapus

With its renowned oyster port, Bourcefranc-Le Chapus is a dynamic, seafaring community. Fort Louvois, built by Vauban, is a must-see! Known as "Fort Boyard's little brother", you'll be amazed by its costumed tours, which are not to be missed! And don't forget to take a detour through the picturesque streets of Vieux Chapus, lined with hollyhocks, then stroll around the old port...

Between land and sea...

Although the village of Bourcefranc-Le Chapus faces the sea, its heritage is of the highest order, with the Fort Louvois visible from the Pointe du Chapus and the bridge over the Ile d'Oléron.

The last fortification built under the reign of Louis XIV, Fort Louvois, built on the rock of Le Chapus, was named after the Minister of War who ordered its construction. Designed by François Ferry according to the principles ofmilitary architecture defined by Vauban, construction began in 1691 and was completed in 1694. The fort's cannons crossed fire with those of the Château d'Oléron citadel, on the other side of the Coureau, to prevent the English from destroying the royal arsenal at Rochefort. Now open to visitors, you can tour the keep, the barracks, the storehouse, the powder magazine, the guardhouse... Discover its unique architecture and learn about its history on a guided or self-guided tour...

Back on the mainland, why not explore Le Vieux Chapus, a picturesque village of fishermen and oyster farmers with low houses and narrow streets. The toponymy of the streets in Vieux Chapus evokes the seafaring activities of the time: rue des Mousses, rue des Pêcheurs... At the far end of the Chapus bay, the old port dating back to the Middle Ages, with its restored quay, was used for the salt and fishing trades. Finally, we head for the Moulin de la Plataine, a windmill (1650) which has been entirely restored and is managed by an association bearing its name. The wings are now working again, and the miller's house houses a wood-fired oven. Guided tours are available in season (July-August) and during Heritage Days.

For nature lovers, the Daire site will satisfy your thirst for fresh air. With its marshes of oyster beds, its rows of wooden huts on stilts, its multitude of barges and pinasses, its oyster beds and fish tanks, the Daire site is probably one of the most beautiful oyster-farming sites in the Marennes-Oleron basin.