North of Oleron Island, facing the island of re and to La Rochelle, The Bree-les-Bains is one of the oldest villages on the island. The coastal town also shares all the charms of a small tourist and family seaside resort with its pretty and flowery alleys, its pretty strip of sand and its colorful beach huts, its old windmill and its salt marshes.
A small village full of charm and character
Nestled between Saint-Georges-d'Oleron And Saint-Denis-d'Oleron, 20 km from camping, The Bree-les-Bains is one of the oldest villages on the island. It is also the smallest village after Le Grand-Village-Beach, with less than 700 inhabitants year-round, but many more in the summer.
Hidden behind a small dune, the peaceful hamlet has managed to preserve its authenticity and its old-world charm. In the 19th century, the writer Pierre Loti spoke of it with tenderness in "Le roman d'un enfant". The small white houses, huddled against each other, line the pretty and flowery alleys that go down to the beach. In the heart of the village stands a small atypical church. Its originality lies in its design. The stones come from the "Rocher de fer" cut on the foreshore and its bell tower is inspired by campaniles and comb bell towers.
At the entrance to the village, surrounded by flax flowers, the mill of The Fountain is one of the best preserved and oldest of Oleron Island (17th century). According to the latest news, a miller was being sought to bring the mill of The Bree and make flour after a century of inactivity. Notice to candidates! Between La Brée and Saint-Denis, the coast accompanies the walker to an old fish lock rebuilt and restored as a fishery, visible at low tide. Present since the Middle Ages, the fish locks are one of the oldest examples of built heritage that can still be discovered in Oleron Island.
La Brée-les-Bains, sea side and beach side
Bathed by the strait from Antioch, the small coastal village reveals a pleasant seafront developed over more than 4 kilometers along the ocean. On foot or by bike, the walk is worth the detour. The setting is magnificent with a beautiful panorama of the continent, La Rochelle has Rochefort, passing by Aix Island and the Fort Boyard.
Beach lovers and water sports enthusiasts will not be left out. The beach of Planginot is a pretty beach of fine sand, where families enjoy the joys of swimming in complete tranquility. The beach of the Bree is sheltered from the wind by century-old cypress trees and the colorful bathing cabins add extra charm to the place. As a bonus, a pretty view of the island of re and the coast of La Rochelle in the distance. The northern part is reserved for water sports, including windsurfing and jet skiing. In season, a sailing school sets up its summer quarters on the beach. At low tide, the sea uncovers a wide rocky foreshore that attracts clam fishermen, periwinkles, scallops and shrimps.
A little tour through the salt marshes of La Brée
Salt marsh cultivation is a preserved activity on Oleron Island, in particular to The Bree-les-Bains. A guided tour of the marsh of the island is offered from mid-June to mid-September. The salt worker will explain how a salt marsh works and all the stages of salt harvesting, the fruit of age-old know-how.
photo@ Tourist office of the island of Oléron and the Marennes basin