Dolus-D'oléron: Holiday apartments and houses

Dolus-d'Oléron lies at the transition between beaches, marshland and traditional oyster-farming areas. Numerous cycle paths running across Île d'Oléron make it easier to reach the hamlets and districts of Dolus-d'Oléron, places of interest and the beaches.

Renting a holiday apartment in Dolus-d'Oléron can be part of your travel planning.

Culture

In the centre of Dolus-d'Oléron stands the Église Saint-André, built from grey limestone rubble and dressed stone, combining classical and Romanesque architectural elements. Its Saintongeais bell tower dates from 1713. The church also houses a work by the local 19th-century artist Omer Charlet.

The Domaine de la Cailletière is a former manor house with an octagonal dovecote. The estate and its dovecote cannot be visited. The Prieuré de la Perroche comprises buildings from the former monastic complex, a cloister and a 12th-century Romanesque chapel. The priory cannot be visited; however, its exterior portal can be viewed from outside.

Fish weirs, also known as pêcheries, have existed on Île d'Oléron since the Middle Ages. They are among the oldest surviving examples of the island's built heritage that can still be discovered today.

Nature

At the heart of Île d'Oléron lies the Marais aux Oiseaux, in an area of around 130 hectares comprising deciduous woodland and former salt marshes protected as Espaces Naturels Sensibles. The area includes ponds, oak groves and marshland that are suitable for photography, drawing and quiet contemplation. The Marais aux Oiseaux also makes it possible to observe wildlife and some ornamental species quietly, without disturbing them.

Local traditions

Between Le Château-d'Oléron and the port of Boyardville, the Route des Huîtres runs for 5 kilometres along the coast. It passes several oyster channels, including the Chenaux de la Brande, de la Baudissière and d'Arceau. Numerous huts along the route invite visitors to discover traditional oyster farming and taste oysters. The restored oyster huts at the Site ostréicole de la Baudissière now house workshops belonging to local artists, which are open to the public.

Coast and activities

The Plage de La Perroche has an anchorage area and a sailing school. The beach is next to the village of La Rémigeasse and is suitable for families, offering swimming, walks and other leisure activities. The landscaped Vertbois–L'Écuissière fitness trail, which is 2.2 kilometres long, is also located in the state forest near the sea.

Other places in the same higher-level area: Beaugeay, Crazannes, Dompierre-Sur-Charente, Fléac-sur-Seugne, Saint-Sauvant, Pont-L'abbé-D'arnoult, La Barde, Siecq.

To the higher-level travel overview: Charente-Maritime.