Last modified: 2003-05-17 by ivan sache
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![[YC Ocean]](../images/f/fr-17~oc.gif)
by Ivan Sache
The Yacht Club de l'Océan is based in Saint-Denis-d'Oléron, a port located on the northern point of Oléron island.
Oléron (length 30 km; width 6 km) is the second largest
French (European) island after Corsica. It is located very close to
the Atlantic coast of the department of Charente-Maritime, from which
it is separated by two dangerous straits, the Pertuis
d'Antioche (north) and the Pertuis de Maubuisson (south).
In 1966, a toll bridge (length 3,027 m; width 10.60 m) was built
between the island and mainland.
The eastern coast of the island, facing mainland and protected from
the storms, is called the Oyster Coast since the former salt marshes
were transformed into oyster beds. The western coast, facing the
Atlantic Ocean, is called the Wild Coast. The main fishing port of
the island, La Cotinière, is specialized in fishing grey and
pink shrimps (locally called bouquet d'Oléron). In the
northern point of the island, a few traditional "fish locks" are
still in use. Wine and fresh vegetables are also produced on the
island.
Oléron is known in the maritime history because of the OlÈron Roll (Rôles d'Oléron). In 1199, Duchess Aliénor (Eleonor) of Aquitaine stayed in her castle of Oléron before retiring into the abbey of Fontevraud where she died in 1204, atoning for her agitated life. At that time, the Wild Coast of the island was ruled by looters, who exerted what they called their "right of godsend". The Duchess suppressed this "right", stating that "they [the looters] shall be brought to the sea and immersed until half dead, then taken out from water, stoned and stunned, as prescribed for wolves and rabid dogs." In a more pacific way, she also prescribed the rules " concerning the sea, the vessels, the seamen and the merchants". This roll was the basis of all further maritime codes.
In 1372, the English definitively left the island. In 1666,
following the building of the military port of Rochefort on the
mainland, Louis XIV ordered engineer Vauban to build a "fire belt" in
order to protect the port. The citadel of
Château-d'Oléron was built on the south-eastern point of
the island.
In 1804, the building of the Fort Boyard started off the eastern
coast of Oléron. It took more than 50 years to achieve the
building and the small city of Boyardville was created on the island
to house the workers. The fort was achieved in 1859 and mainly used
in 1870 to jail the Communards sentenced to deportation to
New Caledonia. Fort Boyard became famous some
ten years ago when a popular TV program, still coming back every
summer, was made there.
The Yacht Club de l'Océan was founded in 1959. Its burgee is a 1:2 blue triangle with a yellow triangle placed along the hoist and charged with the letters YCO in blue.
Source: YCO website.
Ivan Sache, 17 July 2002