Conche du Chay Beach
La Grande Conche
Although it started life as a small port, the sea and beaches are the raison d'etre of Royan today. At Royan itself the main beach is the Grande Conche which is a wide sandy cove that stretches south from the town for about 2 kilometres. This beach has good services and at busy periods has lifeguard surveillance making it ideal for kids. There is also some areas reserved for windsurfing etc and facilities to hire equipment or take lessons. There is lots of free parking along the promenade and in some of the side streets leading away from the beach. During the August the beach becomes very busy and also finding parking can be a problem in the middle of the day. In addition to the beach itself the promenade offers a wonderful panorama over the sea with a paved footpath that passes under carefully grown trees (great shade in the height of the summer!) and a separate cycle path. This beach is a great place to visit at anytime of year - beachcombing in shorts and t-shirt for sunny days in early autumn; watching, or perhaps joining in with windsurfing, sand yachting or sea fishing at any time. Even wild winter days bring the spectacle of the Atlantic Ocean in more furious mood.
Conche de St-Georges
South of La Grande Conche and separated from it by a rocky prominentory, lies another wide and long sandy cove, La Conche de St-Georges. As the name suggests this is the beach of the town of St Georges de Didonne, Royan's pleasant and rather more sedate neighbour. Again a great beach for kids and with a fantastic promenade for walking or cycling. Slightly, but only slightly, less busy in the August peak season than La Grande Conche. The five minute walk from the beach into the town of St-Georges brings a good range of restaurants and a delightful town square.
Sandy coves
To the north of the town, the coast between Royan and St Palais sur Mer is a series of much smaller sandy coves. They are all easily reached from the coastal road although parking can be tricky during August. Alternatively there is a footpath/cyclepath that runs all the way along the coast - so you can start from Royan and take a dip in the sea at each beach (its about 10 kilometres from Royan to St Palais) plus lunch at various restaurants along the way.
The coastal footpath from Meschers to La Grande Cote is known as Le Chemin des Douaniers (the Customs Path) harking back to its historical role when the local custom's officers patrolled on the look out for smugglers. A law passed in 1986 protected both public rights to the footpath and public access to all the beaches along its length. The path is now part of the Grande Randonnee Number 4 (GRN4) - one of the great long walks of France.
La Grande Cote and beyond
Royan beach in Autumn
Northwards, beyond St Palais, the beach becomes more open with a long sandy stretch up to La Palmyre. Here there are few facilities although there is good formal (free!) parking in the pine forests along the D25 coast road.
At La Palmyre there is a hugh sea lagoon (Bonne Anse) that is reduced to mudflats at low tide before the coastline turns due north onto the Cote Sauvage beaches. These beaches run for about 10 kilometres up to Ronce Les Bains and are perhaps the most dramatic in the region. The pine forests run down to the wide open beaches creating a wonderful natural environment. There are few facilities although the forest is punctuated with several roads leading off the D25 coast road down to parking near the beaches. A climb over the sand dunes earns the reward of great beaches which are fantastic whatever the weather or time of year. You can expect to find a few wind surfers, beach fishermen or sand yachts but should easily find your own space. Please note there can be strong currents and care needs to be taken especially with young children.
Take a look at our 'Out & About' directory for information about some of the best beaches around Royan.
Out & About