Fishing boats at Royan port
Tourism is far and away the principal economic actitivity in Royan with its plethora of hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions together with all the supporting activities. But there are also more traditional activities. Next to the pleasure craft, the port is still home to fishing boats and the local catch including sole, mackerel and mullet keep the markets in Royan and surrounding towns supplied with absolutely fresh fish.
The area to the north and east of Royan, towards Marennes and the mouth of the Seudre river, consists of very low lying salt marshes (Les Marais) and wide silted river estuaries which create the perfect habitat for oysters and mussels - making the region the most productive in France.
Inland from Royan the largely flat terrain is used to grow arable crops such as sunflowers, grain, fruit and vegetables. Royan is on the edge of the very important Cognac vineyards - however the reduction in demand worldwide for cognac tends to mean that the grapes are used to produce the (very enjoyable!) local aperitif, Pineau, rather than cognac itself.
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