France
Saint-Denis-d'Oléron

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    • Day 195

      30.03 Day 195 . . . End Of The Island

      March 30, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

      As normal we didn’t wake or get up too early. Once ready and our the door we had decided to head to the very north end of the island which comes under Saint-Denis d’Oléron but is even further north than that. We started off hugging the west side of the island, but due to some road works we were forced back to travel the main route, effectively up the centre of the island and finally along the D734.
      We finally parked up at our destination which we knew had a lighthouse as it centre piece. Once out of Rox and walking to the coastal path about 75m away we saw the views - truly breath taking. We had a fab day for it, but even in foul weather these views of the rough Atlantic must be spectacular. We walked along the north east side of the peninsula and then down some steps to a rocky beach area. Due to the time of year there was hardly anyone about which made this place even more special - in summer we guessed it is probably manic busy.
      Having taken untold photos we returned unto the footpath and along to the general area of the lighthouse Phare de Chassiron. There were a couple of interesting artefacts near to the lighthouse - an example of a fish trap still in use around the island and also a cross on a plinth made from iron chain.
      The lighthouse first commenced as a first fire tower, at 33m high, was built in 1685 on the orders of Colbert in order to mark the entrance to the Pertuis d'Antioche and thus guide the ships which joined the Charente estuary to join the military arsenal. of Rochefort. The increase in maritime traffic, the modernization of beaconing and the retreat of the cliff led to the construction of a new lighthouse between 1834 and 1836. Its strategic position and its height of 46m allows the Chassiron lighthouse to effectively warn sailors of the approach to the coast and the dangerous rock banks of the Pertuis d'Antioche.
      Originally entirely white, the lighthouse covered its black bands in 1926 in order to increase its visibility distance and limit confusion with its gray neighbor, the Whales lighthouse. The optic, made up of eight lenticular panels, was electrified in 1930 and today operates with a 250 W metal halide bulb.
      The departure of the last keeper dates back to 1998. Since then, the lighthouse has been fully automated and controlled by the Lighthouses and Beacons office.
      After walking around the lighthouse and viewing the gardens that surrounded it we entered a small shop that is onsite and purchased some salt - Set de Mer d’Oléron . . . lovely white Sea Salt made locally - oh, and a salt pot and spoon.
      All the other small shops and the restaurant were closed, again we were thankful as next week and onwards it is likely to be packed with tourists.
      We drove from the lighthouse and down to Saint-Denis looking for a restaurant - we didn’t even stop, there was nothing really to be had. We continued down and decided to stop at Saint-Pierre as there was likely to be a lot more choice.
      Arriving at Saint-Pierre we parked up on street and found a restaurant called Le Zing which we entered and ordered a plat du jour of cold plateau de charcuterie (meat board) for starter and bavette steak for the main. Both stuffed we rolled out of the restaurant and walked to the shop with the earrings that Tre had spotted yesterday. We knew it would be closed as it wasn’t 3pm so we stopped and had a soft drink in a bar sitting in the sunshine.
      At 3pm we walked to the shop - it was shut!! For what reason we know not as the shop door sign indicated it should be open.
      We walked some of the other shops and waddled into another shop called Detour de Plage - which was lovely, in fact better than the one we had been heading to. I happened to see a pair of earrings that I thought Tre would like and I wasn’t wrong. Firmly in our grasp we toured the rest of the shop before buying the earrings and a keyring for me.
      From Saint-Pierre we toddled along in Rox and found our way to an Intermarché - just to buy some nibbles for this evening as neither of us were in the mood for eating out tonight . . . still stuffed.
      Back at the hotel we collapsed. Balcony doors open although a little windy it was still sunny. We spent the remainder of the late afternoon chatting and lazing around. I did consider another visit to the pool but it was over 20m away down the corridor!
      We agreed on a relatively early night as tomorrow was our last day, which we wanted to make the most of as well as driving home.
      On our return to the hotel in the afternoon Tre had happened upon an update from the weekends demonstrations at Sainte Soline . . .
      France launches investigation after man gravely injured at water protest
      French prosecutors said Wednesday they were probing the case of a man seriously wounded at a demonstration over access to water, after his family filed a criminal complaint.
      The 32-year-old has been fighting for his life in a coma since Saturday's thousands-strong environmental protest against a new "mega-basin" gathering water for irrigation in the western Deux-Sèvres region. The probe was prompted by his parents, who filed a complaint alleging attempted murder as well as the prevention of access by first responders.
      Protest organisers said Tuesday that the man, from the southwestern city Toulouse, was seriously wounded when he was struck in the head by a tear gas grenade fired by police. "People close to him are determined to bear witness and uncover the truth about what happened," they added.
      The case is being investigated by military prosecutors in the western city of Rennes who have jurisdiction over France's gendarmes – police officers belonging to the armed forces.
      Warlike scenes of Saturday's clashes between around 5,000 protesters and 3,200 police in the open fields made headlines over the weekend.
      Fielding helicopters, armoured vehicles and water cannon, security forces fired thousands of tear gas grenades and dozens of other projectiles in a response the DGGN police authority described as "proportionate to the level of threat".
      Authorities say officers were faced with "an unprecedented explosion of violence" and targeted with Molotov cocktails and fireworks.
      But Human Rights League (LDH) observers on the scene said police made "unrestrained and indiscriminate use of force" against all the demonstrators, rather than targeting violent groups or individuals.
      AFP journalists saw police begin using tear gas as soon as the marchers arrived.
      Prosecutors in nearby Niort counted 47 wounded police and seven demonstrators requiring medical aid, including two in danger for their lives – one of whose condition has since improved.
      Protest organisers complained of 200 wounded, 40 seriously including one person who lost an eye.
      In an audio recording published by daily Le Monde, a member of the ambulance service told the LDH that "commanders on the ground" were holding them back from the scene, without identifying individuals.
      The service said on Twitter Tuesday that "sending an ambulance with oxygen into an area with clashes is not recommended given the risk of explosion".
      Deux-Sèvres' prefect – the top government official in the region – wrote in a Tuesday report to the interior ministry that it was "very difficult" for ambulances to reach wounded demonstrators as "the clashes had not stopped or were starting again".
      Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has responded to the clashes by vowing to ban one of the associations that organised the protests.
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    • Day 10

      Phare de Chassiron

      September 15, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

      Nördlichster Punkt der Insel, mit einem in der Form 100 jährigen Leuchtturm. Die Gärten darum sind in Form einer Windrose angelegt.🧭 Manchmal wünschte ich mir eine Drohne 😔
      Auch faszinierend, wie weit sich das Wasser bei Ebbe zurück zieht.Read more

    • Day 111

      Ile d'Oleron

      August 4, 2017 in France ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

      OK so from St Martin de re we headed south east to La Flotte, still on Ile de Re, where we anchored up for the night. We had hoped to row ashore but was a bit blowy for that. We did have a bit of drama though as we decided to attached a bouy to the anchor as a 'trip' but hadn't allowed for the strength of tide which saw the bouy disappear. So at low tide we rowed to it and attached another rope but 5mins later when we looked the bouy was rapidly disappearing on the wind, my knot had come undone and bouy and long rope were floating off. John set off in pursuit and caught it.
      Next day we headed to Ile d'Oleron via Fort Boyard and anchored just North of Boyardville. It was bottom of the neap with 1.8m of tidal movement! We stripped down and greased 2 of the winches and had a swim or 2. The wind had dropped during the day and we had a quiet night, next morning was gloomy so we rowed ashore to have a look round Boyardville the bit we saw, which I suppose wasn't much, wasn't very pretty. In the afternoon there was bit more wind but not much and some random swell and the boat start making whale noises? Can't figure out why. We did some swimming and John did his good samaritan bit and rowed out to 2 paddle boarders who were making no progress to shore and had been trying for about 20mins we think their safety cover was chatting on beach. The second night was noiser than first as more windy and our 'whale' wouldn't go away. This morning, Friday it was raining and after checking batteries we headed to the North of the island and St Denis d'Oleron where we are now comfortably moored listening to the wind. Should be here 3nights, planning on a longish cycle tomorrow as not been here before so should go see some more sights. Attached church and beach huts from St Denis d'Oleron and Fort Boyard
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    • Day 4

      Île d'Orléron

      August 21, 2019 in France ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

      Auch wenn es für euch langweilig wird... nächster Strand aber sooooo schön! Zwar ist nachtmittags immer Ebbe, aber Wasser gibt es hier genug 😊
      Bislang der beste Abschnitt Strand den wir am Atlantic gefunden haben!Read more

    • Day 113

      Ile d'Oleron out and about

      August 6, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

      Yesterday we rode the North part of the island, we headed to the lighthouse Phare de Chassiron for a gawp before having some of the nicest coffee we have tasted here in France at cafe Vue de La Mer. Then we rode down part of west coast, on cycle track some of the way. (Only some of the way because as anyone who has tried to follow a French cycle route will probably be able to tell you occasionally the signs just stop). We stopped a few times to pick blackberries they were delicious. We passed through Les Huttes, Chaucre, and Domino before crossing the island to the east coast via Cheray and St George d'Oleron to the Port of Le Douhet for a galette John was on his last legs. Then back North passing through Les Boulassiers and La Brie les Bains to get back.
      As I got bored later I baked fruit cake and bread rolls.
      Today we took containers and although we again failed to follow the cycle route we have lots of lovely blackberries.
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    • Day 11

      Tag 11

      September 1, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

      Geschafft!
      Wir sind am Atlantik

    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Saint-Denis-d'Oléron, Saint-Denis-d'Oleron

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