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Saint-Georges-d'Oléron (Municipality, Charente-Maritime, France)

Flag of Saint-Georges-d'Oléron - Image by Olivier Touzeau, 5 March 2022

Presentation of Saint-Georges-d'Oléron
Flag of Saint-Georges-d'Oléron
Former flags of Saint-Georges-d'Oléron

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Presentation of Saint-Georges-d'Oléron

Saint-Georges-d'Oléron (3,948 inhabitants in 2021; 4,655 ha) is a commune in the department of Charente-Maritime, on the island of Oléron.

The stronghold of Saint-Georges-d'Oléron was owned from the 11th century by the Forz family, of which a branch, the Forz or Vivonne, depending on the texts, retained the lordship until the 15th century. The history of the town is linked to that of Eleanor of Aquitaine who may have come to this place. However, there is no certain historical proof of the Queen's stay in the town.

In the 19th century, the old hall was built, the trees on either side of the church were planted and two large houses called “castles” were built: the "Château Fournier" which belonged to a wealthy winegrower whose cellar has become the current village hall, and the "Château Briquet". In the 20th century, the village of La-Brée-les-bains, hitherto attached to Saint-Georges, became a separate commune. Among the villages and hamlets attached to Saint-Georges are Boyardville, the city of Fort Boyard, bordering the Perrotine channel, formerly an access route to the salt port; Sauzelle, one of the oldest villages in the commune, surrounded by old salt marshes which once made it rich; Les Sables Vignier, a hamlet whose name comes from the owner of the place: Captain Vignier, captain of a ship who was stranded on the island and unable to leave, and who had claimed ownership of this part of the island; Domino, one of the highest points of Oléron, 31 meters above sea level, from which it takes its name "dominates from above" which has become "Domino"; Le Douhet: the Douhet channel separates the town from that of La Brée les Bains. This channel once had the mission of supplying the salt marshes with seawater.

Olivier Touzeau, 5 March 2022

Flag of Saint-Georges-d'Oléron

The current flag, in use since the end of 2020, is horizontally divided blue and white, with the skyline of the new logo adopted in 2020 in the upper blue part, the name of the commune below on two lines, and on the lower part the words "Station Classée de Tourisme" and the logo of this label (photo, 2021; photo, 2021).

Olivier Touzeau, 5 March 2022

Former flags of Saint-Georges-d'Oléron

Former flags of Saint-Georges-d'Oléron, left years 2000, right years 2010 - Images by Olivier Touzeau, 5 March 2022

The first known flag of Saint-Georges-d'Oléron , observed in La Rochelle in 2001 and reported by Pascal Vagnat (source: emblemes.free.fr) was white with a blue horizontal band off-centered towards the top and the coat of arms of the municipality debruising near the hoist. On the fly of the flag are inscribed the words "SAINT" (on the white), "GEORGES" (on the blue band) and "D'OLÉRON" (on the white) in black capital letters.

The coat of arms of Saint-Georges-d'Oléron is blazoned: Azure with a boat equipped Gules sailing three-quarter on a wavy sea of Azure and Silver; Saint-George armed Argent, with a shield Azure bordered Argent, standing on the boat and planting his spear of the same in the mouth of a marine monster Gules swimming in the sea. The motto of the town which appears above the coat of arms, “Combattre pour vivre libre”, means "Fight to live free".

The flag in use in the years 2010 until 2020 was white with the logo then in use (photo, 2013; photo, 2018; photo, 2019).

Olivier Touzeau, 5 March 2022