[en] The yrast and near-yrast energy levels of ²⁰⁶Po have been investigated to over 9 MeV excitation and up to spins with J=24. The measure-ments consisted of γ-γ coincidence data, internal-conversion-electron spectra, time spectra of γ-rays relative to a pulsed beam, excitation functions and γ-ray angular distributions. Two new isomers, with lifetime in the one-nonasecond range,were found. The observed structure is compared with the predictions of empirical shell-model calculations in which ²⁰⁶Po is regarded as a ²⁰⁸Pb core with two valence protons and four valence neutron holes. The agreement is generaly satisfactory for the observed odd-parity levels and for even parity levels with J > 12; those with J = 6 to 12 are better accounted for by weak coupling of two valence protons to a ²⁰⁴Pb core in its 0⁺_1, 2⁺₁ and 4⁺₁ states. 33 refs., 7 tabs., 12 figs