The 16 things to do in Royan

Holidays in Charente-Maritime? Pack your bags and make a stopover to visit Royan and his must-sees

Beach resort of the Atlantic coast, if you go to visit Royan wait for an exceptional holiday. Between beaches of white sand, Belle Époque villas, modern architecture, large lighthouses and natural parks, the city seduces both architectural lovers, as adventurers looking for nature or holidaymakers preferring the beach.

To help you prepare your stay, Wanderlix has selected the essentials to make in Royan.

1. The Church of Notre-Dame de Royan

Come and visit Royan and his Notre-Dame church inaugurated in 1958. It is a true symbol of modern architecture. The former Royan church, built in 1874, was striped of the map during German bombings on 5 January 1945. The bombing waves destroyed the city at 85%.

So it was necessary to rebuild Royan and his church. At the time, the mayor, Max Brusset, wants a city standing with the highest possible church. The architect Guillaume Gillet is responsible for the construction. Mission accomplished, since this almond-shaped church raises its bell tower at 60 meters high. The building mainly uses reinforced cement and concrete.

Unfortunately the concrete reveals itself to be of poor quality and renovations are quickly needed. Thanks to several private initiatives, the church is highly decorated with statues, stained-glass windows and a large organ.

2. The district of Pontaillac

Incontournable to do in Royan, Pontillac remains the crowded neighborhood. Located west of the city, the area was relatively spared by the shelling.

Its neighbourhood position “rich” dates from 1850. At that time, a wealthy Bordelais, J. Lacaze, became the first to establish a villa there. Later, other notables settled there and built luxury villas that make Pontillac’s reputation today.

More than a neighborhood, it is a city in the city with its seafront and its ever more frequented beach. A wooden pavement walk has been set up with a majestic viewpoint offering an extra charm to this unique neighbourhood.

3. The Barrière Casino

What to do in Royan at night? Come take a ride at the casino and try your chance at roulette. Royan Casino offers many games of chance or strategy. Poker table, slot machine, blackjack, lucky wheel, ... everything is there! If you like competition, face other holidaymakers on the table games. If you are rather lonely, an electronic English roulette or an electronic blackjack are planned.

After testing all games, taste the chef's specialties in the casino restaurant. The Barrière coffee offers an exceptional panorama on the beach of Pontaillac while you enjoy a delicious fresh fish recipe.

In the evening, artistic shows are also planned to put your eyes full of them. Humour, plays, show dinners or concerts, ... consult the casino website to see the programming.

4. Congress Palace

Visiting Royan is necessarily visiting the Palais des Congrès. The emblematic building of the city, the convention palace was labeled the historic heritage of the twentieth century, then a historic monument. Originally, it was a modular entertainment room with ten rooms, a reception hall and a restaurant.

The Congress Palace in the shape of a cube and was entirely built in reinforced concrete. The whole is softened by external stairways in oblique motion and by the walls subtly imbriated to the construction.

5. Central market

Come visit Royan and taste the local dishes during a walk to the central market. A landmark of the city, it offers hundreds of local products. From the arrival of summer, the market is open every day. You can enjoy the fruits and vegetables of Charente-Maritime.

In addition to its products, the market is to be discovered for the originality of its structure. The conch-shaped building perfectly characterizes the modernist architecture of the city of Royan. At the time, the construction of the market was considered an architectural feat.

The vault consists of a concrete veil of eight centimetres thick. The light crosses this vault with a set of glass bricks for a better brightness.

6. The beach of the big conche

More than two kilometers of sand await you at the Grande Conche. Located in the city centre, the beach is ideal for families.

On the seafront, many restaurants, cafés and glaciers await you to make the full energy. Water sports lover, you will not be disappointed on this beach. The waves are ideal for a surf session. Depending on the winds, you can practice windsurfing or sailing.

And if you prefer more relaxed water sports, take your paddle board and pick up on the beach of the Great Conche.

7. A boat ride around the lighthouses

What to do in Royan for an unforgettable stay? Why not a nice boat ride? Indeed, taking advantage of the boat rental in Royan , you can sail off to discover the famous Cordouan lighthouse. Located on a rocky island, the lighthouse stands above the ocean. Built in the 16th century, it is the oldest lighthouse in France.

In addition to the lighthouse, you can admire the tip of gravel, the troglodytic caves, the Suzac fort and many other things. With or without a permit, it is a relaxing and discovering day that stretches your arms!

8. A karting session

Want to visit Royan otherwise? Have a karting session with friends or family. Many karting centres in Royan offer their circuits for a moment of pure happiness. Whether you're a beginner or experienced, karting is an activity that suits everyone.

There is no need for any particular equipment or physical condition to turn the tracks. On board your kart, take turns and double your competitors to finish first of the race.

If you have never done karting, a briefing is done before each departure.

9. The carrelets

Come and admire the carrelets in Royan and discover the world of fishermen. These are quadrangular fishing nets that are plunged to dredge shrimp or mules. They are suspended on small huts mounted on large wooden peaks. The Charente-Maritime is the country of the carrelets, since the department counts not far from 400.

Close to Royan, they are observed by clusters or isolated. The main sites where to admire the tiles are Meschers-sur-Gironde, Saint-Georges-de-Didonne, Vaux-sur-Mer or Saint-Palais-sur-Mer. In the city of Royan you can also find it on the tip of Chay, on the rocks of the Pigeonnier or in Pontillac.

10. Planet Exotica

Discover the Planet Exotica zoo near Royan. You are immersed in an exotic universe to discover wild animals; snakes, crocodiles, alligators and even dinosaurs. The flora is also present in this park with bonzai, millennial olive trees and other exotic plants.

The site of more than seven hectares offers many infrastructures to spend an unforgettable day: children's space, greenhouses, mini-ferm, reptile area, museum, shows, picnic area, bars, etc.

11. The Devil Bridge

Come and visit Royan and its surroundings to discover the Pont du Diable. Located in Saint-Palais sur Mer, this bridge is a natural limestone rock formation. Do not forget your camera to immortalize this wonder of nature.

According to legend, a fisherman totally lost in the storm failed on the peninsula's reefs. To save himself, he sold his soul to the devil. The legend tells us that the devil would have built a stone bridge to allow him to return to the farmland.

12. A bike ride on the big coast

Visiting Royan and its surroundings is necessarily visiting the coast of Beauty. This coastline offers varied landscapes and preserved natural areas. Nothing like a bike ride with a family.

On your vacation in Royan, take the path of the Bicycledyssey. This is a route linking Britain North to the Basque country along the Atlantic. In Charente-Maritime, this trail connects the towns of Marennes to Royan for a length of 45 kilometers.

You will discover the dunes that border the wild beaches, the salt marshes and the estuary of the Seudres. On the road, you'll be totally quiet. On the bikedyssey, there is no motor vehicle (with the exception of a few portions of a short distance).

13. The park of the Estuary

Located in Saint-Georges de Didonne, the park of the estuary transports you into the wild nature. This natural space is perched on a cliff facing the mouth of the Gironde estuary.

You have the opportunity to visit the park alone or with an entertainer. This will share its environment and know-how. The park sensitizes visitors to the preservation of nature through a fun discovery. In addition to guided tours, workshops, games, exhibitions or shows are planned regularly.

14. Zoo de la Palmyre

With more than 110 species, the Palmyra Zoo promises an unforgettable day.

The park is divided into six categories:

• Carnivores: powerful, agile and ferocious, they fascinate us and frighten us at the same time. The Palmyra Zoo takes you to meet tigers, cheetahs, panthers, suricates or the king of the jungle
• Birds: the park offers about 30 species of birds. Some of them are threatened in their natural environment, such as Bali’s sparrow or Buffon’s Arabic. The park therefore aims to protect them. Other species fly freely within the zoo. Don't be surprised to see over your heads storks, geese or pelicans
• Primates: about thirty species are present at the zoo, the most famous of which is gorilla and orang-outang
• Tails: are all animals with sabots, such as giraffes, elephants, rhinoceros, hippopotamus and many others
• Marine mammals: you will discover seals, sea otters or sea otters
• Reptiles: Discover these ancestral animals. Crocodile, iguana and snake await you at the Palmyra Zoo

15. The Jules Gautret cellars

It is impossible to visit Royan without tasting Charente-Maritime wine. Located in Saint-Sulpice de Royan, the Jules Gautret House awaits you for a tasting of its best grape varieties.

Established in 1847, the Jules Gautret house presents the secrets of its chais masters during a visit to the cellars.

16. Local specialties

Last thing to do in Royan; taste local specialties of course. At the raw material level, the Charente remains rather lucky with its melons, oysters, shrimps, potatoes, truffles and saffron. You can mix the ingredients to cook delicious dishes.

For gourmets, the region offers delicious desserts. Taste the horn , a biscuit of sanded paste in the form of a triangle with anise grains. The Charente cake will also satisfy your taste buds.

How to get to Royan?

By car

From Paris , Royan is accessible via the highway A10 . It takes 5 hours to get to the right port. Starting from Toulouse , the highway A62 allows you to reach Royan in just 4 hours.

By train

The train is still an eventuality for Royan. From Paris, you will have to go to Niort then take a correspondence to finally reach your resort. The total duration will then be 4h.

Where to sleep in Royan?

The choices of accommodation in Royan are multiple; charming hotel, Airbnb apartment, youth hostel or camping. It is up to you to decide what is right for you. With so much offer, the use of a hotel comparison is more than wise for the perfect place.

If you're looking for a place where to stay in Royan , the best neighborhoods are at the seaside, and the best of them probably remains Old Royan. Located between the port, the train station and the central market, the city centre can also suit you.

Now that you know what to visit in Royan, you only have to prepare your luggage to go for adventure!