The Chassiron Lighthouse

The Chassiron lighthouse, perched on a high cliff on the northern tip of the Ile d’Oléron, is 20 km from our campsite in Dolus d’Oléron. Discovering this site, often referred to as “the end of the world”, is the perfect opportunity to go for a ride, either by bike (which can be rented at the campsite entrance) or by car along the many cycle paths on the island.

This lighthouse allows sailors to reach the island of Oleron by entering the Perthuis d’Antioche corridor, a frequent site of shipwrecks due to the outcropping reefs in this strait. After the Cordouan lighthouse on the Gironde estuary, the Chassiron lighthouse is the oldest French lighthouse still in operation in the Charente Maritime region.

Charente-Maritime’s historic assets

Charisson

On Colbert‘s orders, the first 33-meter-high tower was built to protect the Perthuis d’Antioche pass. Indeed, it was necessary to secure the maritime route that fed the royal port of Rochefort, a military arsenal essential to the military defense of the Kingdom of France.

At the time, the other two lighthouses on the coast – Cordouan and Les Baleines – had just one light. To guide sailors, the Colbert Tower was lit by two wooden fires.

With the increase in maritime traffic over the following centuries, the Chassiron lighthouse had become ineffective. In addition, there was an urgent need to intervene, as the cliff was increasingly being eaten away by the sea, threatening the edifice. For this reason, a second lighthouse was built between 1834 and 1836, its foundations anchored three meters below the rock. Stones from the building were also used to construct the base of the Statue of Liberty and Cologne Cathedral. Quite a reputation!

As technology evolves, so does luminosity!

The lighthouse was initially equipped with a vegetable oil lamp, but from 1895 it was powered by oil gas produced by a gasworks installed at the foot of the lighthouse.

Then, between 1902 and 1905, lighting was provided by acetylene gas, which was later replaced by the fairy goddess of electricity, with the introduction of a 2400w lamp. After all these technological evolutions, today the lamp operates with a 250-watt metal halide bulb that, thanks to its 8 light beams, can be seen up to 52 km away…

224 steps just for you!

The lighthouse today

From the top of this magnificent edifice (once you’ve climbed the 224 steps!) you can admire La Rochelle, theIle de Ré and, of course, the northern part of Oléron.

Since under Colbert it was necessary to differentiate Chassiron from the Baleines lighthouse, the three black stripes that can be seen today were applied to the entire façade.

Since 1998, there has been no janitor to ensure the smooth running of the lighthouse, which was operated by the Bureau des Phares et Balises and supervised by a State Public Works inspector.

Adults and children alike will be enchanted by this cultural heritage with its breathtaking ocean views. You can also stroll through the beautiful gardens and learn more about the marine environment, thanks to a museum offering exhibitions and educational workshops.

Take advantage of the lighthouse’s guided tours to discover the history of the region. Take a stroll at the foot of the cliffs and discover the biodiversity of the rocky foreshore and the fish locks, or listen to the many tales and legends surrounding the mysterious semaphore and Antioch rock.

The lighthouse is a great destination for an educational walk overlooking the waves of Oléron: you’ll enjoy a breath of fresh air before returning to your campsite, in the comfort of your tent!