News

Asian Hornets in RoyanAsian Hornets are expected to become more common in Royan area in the next three weeks, as temperatures start to rise, and the animals come out of hibernation.[/caption]

Asian hornets (Vespa velutina) arrived in France in around 2004, and have now spread throughout much of the country.

Although their venom is not more powerful than that of normal bees or wasps, they are sometimes known to be aggressive towards humans even from a distance, and - like most insect stings - can cause fatal anaphylactic shock in allergic people.

What to look out for

• Vespa velutina queens are up to 3 cm in length; workers up to 25 mm
• Entirely dark brown or black velvety body, bordered with a fine yellow band
• Only one band on the abdomen - the 4th abdominal segment almost entirely yellow/orange
• Head black with an orange-yellow face
• Vespa velutina is a day flying species which, unlike the European hornet, usually ceases activity at dusk

We sometimes get asked about dogs being taken onto the beach. The situation is that dogs are not allowed on the beaches at Royan during the summer (more precisely 1st April to 15 October). This is apparently on 'public hygiene' grounds and you are likely to find this a fairly common situation on many beaches in France nowadays.

It may come as something of a surprise but the area inland from Royan can suffer badly some years from mosquitoes - the large areas of standing water in the Marais provide a breeding ground for these insects. Mosquities can be seen in the area from early Spring depending on weather conditions.

A website has been set up which gives up to date information (in French) about the levels of mosquitoes in each region. This link  is the page for Charente-Maritime which includes Royan. The French for mosquito is les moustiques.

It is probably a good idea to go prepared if you are sensitive to mosquito bites particularly if you are staying in the countryside inland from Royan.