The Phare de Chassiron stands at the northern tip of Île d'Oléron, a 46-metre black-and-white striped lighthouse with 224 steps to a gallery with panoramic views over the Pertuis d'Antioche strait and, on clear days, the Île de Ré to the north. The surrounding Pointe de Chassiron is a wild headland of low dunes and exposed rock, dramatically different from the pine forest and beaches of the island's interior.
The lighthouse is open to visitors, and the small museum at its base covers the maritime history of the island and the notorious Boyard Bank that Fort Boyard was built to mark. The headland is also one of the better birdwatching spots on the island, particularly during autumn migration. Allow an hour for a visit and the views are well worth climbing for.