Château d’Oléron and its citadel

Close to our campsite on the Ile d’Oléron, the citadel of Château-d’Oléron was designed to protect the south of the island, particularly the Atlantic coastline. This military structure is the successor to an ancient fortified castle fought over by various armed groups during the Wars of Religion. In particular, the famous Agrippa d’Aubigné, a Protestant soldier who took possession of the castle before being thrown into prison, after Catholic troops numbering several thousand men regained control of the island and its castle…

A fortress through French history

The citadel was built on the orders of Cardinal de Richelieu in 1630, with work continuing until 1704. It was later modernized by Vauban, the indefatigable builder of the Kingdom of France’s strategic defenses, who made it a major site for the defense of the Charente coast.

For a long time, the citadel was the training ground for garrisons leaving for the new France, or Canada, a French colony from 1534 to 1763.

During the Revolutionary Terror, it became a prison, as it did in 1870. During the Second World War, German troops occupied the citadel in 1940, using it as a strategic location for coastal surveillance. Unfortunately, the citadel was bombed in April 1945.

It is one of the main historical monuments near our campsite on the Ile d’Oléron, and contains several characteristic elements of military architecture…

On the Atlantic coast

A unique military building

The citadel was first restored between 1959 and 1971, and again in 1988.

Among the buildings within thefortified enclosure is the Porte Royale (Royal Gate), built around 1640 and featuring a bas-relief of the arms generally attributed to Richelieu. The main courtyard houses the arsenal, a large 1-storey longitudinal building. The arsenal was a veritable organization building for the citadel, containing not only weapons and munitions, but also a food store, a flour store and a chapel. To the right of the gateway was the governor’s residence on the island of Oleron.

On either side of this main building are the Bastion de la Brèche and the Bastion Royal, now home to thematic exhibitions, including one devoted to the soldiers of New France. To the south of the citadel is the former gunpowder magazine.

Mobile home and pitch rental near Château d’Oléron

Before returning to Le Montet d’Oléron, our campsite on the Ile d’Oléron, and the comfort of your mobile home or pitch rental, a visit to the Citadelle is a must, taking you back to the 17th century and offering some great views.