Who we are ?
Visible heritage that excites walkers’curiosity
The idea originated in the Comité de Libération Seudre Oléron. Logically, the Communauté de Communes de l’île d’Oléron, took over the project that responded to a desire to highlight the heritage of the Second World War found on the Chemin d’Oléron.
Keeping a record of Oleron’s history
Today, Oléron is a natural setting, a haven of peace. But the island has also lived through great moments of history, turbulent periods that should be preserved in the collective memory. Aware that some of the bunkers risked an inevitable destruction by erosion, the council decided to create an information resource on the presence of these Atlantic Wall constructions on Oléron.
An immersive yet discreet confrontation
The guideline of the project was to consider the position of the walker coming across these works. As an introduction to the subject, summary, representative information (without seeking to be exhaustive) has been created at the sites of these military constructions. Five sites have been earmarked: Saint-Séverin, La Cotinière, Les trois Pierres, Chassiron and Saint-Denis d’Oléron.
Bearing in mind the quality and fragility of the natural environment, the signage is minimalist, thanks to a QR code that connects to an internet site. This rich information tool was launched on the eightieth anniversary of the liberation of the island.
Thanks
This project would not have been brought to life without the help of many, notably:
Comité de Libération Seudre-Oléron
Philippe Robert, François Ytas, Jean-Paul Sinteff et Stéphane Calonnec.
Partners
Service historique de la défense
www.memoiredeshommes.sga.defense.gouv.fr
EPCAD – L’établissement de communication et de production audiovisuelle de la Défense
Les services du département de la Charente-Maritime : Archives départementales de la Charente-Maritime, Direction de la culture du sport et du tourisme, Direction de l’environnement et de la mobilité
Remerciements à Alain Chazette pour son aide et ses conseils
Li-Ann Pierre-Lagrue, stagiaire de l’Université de Caen.
La Ville de Saint-Pierre
La Ville de Saint-Denis
L’office national des forêts
Communauté de communes de l’île d’Oléron : le service communication, le pôle technique et l’ensemble des services de la collectivité
Production
The texts were written by Stéphane Calonnec and Julia Dumoulin. English version by Ian Chapple.
Pictures from drones and videos: Thierry Richard – Oléron production