La Tremblade
La Tremblade is a port town and seaside resort on the Arvert peninsula in Charente-Maritime, southwestern France. This small town with about 4,500 inhabitants (about 10,000 when including the surrounding villages), and famous for its flat oysters just like the surrounding Marennes-Oléron region.
- See
- 7
- Do
- 20
- Eat
- 12
- Drink
- 4
- Buy
- 4
47 places
- Do
Base nautique de la presqu'île d'Arvert
A large complex covering much of the coast of Ronce-les-Bains offering water sports equipment rental (catamarans, sailboats, SUP boards, canoes, kayaks) and sailing courses for children and adults. On Facebook.
- Do
Bateaux passeurs
The passenger boats Le Balusot and Le Vauban sail across the Seudre estuary to Marennes and to Saint-Trojan-les-Bains on Île d'Oléron. It's possible to bring a bike on the boat. On Facebook.
- Drink
Café Le Gambetta
Right in the middle of La Tremblade, here you can enjoy a good beer, coffee or hot chocolate.
- Do
Casino Partouche
Together with the casino in Royan, the second casino in the greater Royan area. It has a gambling room with slot machines, electronic roulette, black jack and some other games, a lounge bar and a brasserie with local cuisine. Themed nights every now and then. On Facebook.
- Eat
Chez Roberte
Serving regional specialties with the traditional recipes changed a bit. Both seafood and products of the land on the menu. The restaurant has a shaded terrace next to the canal as well as indoor dining rooms with panoramic views.
- Do
Club Mickey
Beach activities for children with swimming classes and inflatable structures.
- See
Coubre forest
Forêt de la Coubre
One of the largest forests in Poitou-Charentes, it covers an area of 8000 hectares and extends to four municipalities. This pine forest was planted in the 19th century to stop the movement of the sand dunes, and has a characteristic similar to the nearby Landes de Gascogne forest, though many other tree species grow here. Wildlife includes deer, wild boars, birds and insects. There are around 25 km of biking paths, and 50 km of riding and hiking paths in the forest (also the long distance hiking trail GR4 goes through here). Near Galon d'Or there's a small lagoon.
- See
Coubre lighthouse
Phare de la Coubre
The red and white lighthouse near the Pointe de la Coubre sits on moving sandbanks watching over the incoming waves of the ocean. Built in 1904, it's not the first lighthouse here, but earlier construction have fallen victim to erosion. When the lighthouse was finished it was almost 2 km from the coastline, now it is just 150 m away. You can walk 300 steps up to the viewing platform to views of tens of kilometres including the Coubre Forest, the Gironde estuary, Île d'Oléron and the Côte Sauvage. Next to the lighthouse is a museum about the lighthouses that have functioned here and their equipment (admission is included in the ticket to the lighthouse). On Facebook.
- Do
Coubre surf spot
A beach-break/shore-break spot near the lighthouse at the municipal border with Mathes. It's a popular spot for surfing, windsurfing and skimboarding.
- Do
Croisières Alizé
Cruises to the sea. One tour goes to the Fort Boyard (just seen from the boat) and to l'île d'Aix and its fortifications. Another "île d'Aix" cruise approaches île d'Oléron with its citadel of Château-d'Oléron, Fort-Louvois, circulating Fort Boyard and stops for an hour on île d'Aix. On Facebook.
- See
Côte sauvage beaches
Plages de la Côte sauvage
Making up the western flank of the municipality, the "wild coast" is a stretch of about 20 km of white sand beaches, facing the ocean directly. Five sections have been developed for swimming, but given the currents and waves, swimmers need to be careful, especially with children. The beaches popular with surfers, though. Plage de la pointe Espagnole is the northernmost, is surveilled by lifeguards during the summer months and has a snack bar and a dedicated parking lot. South of it is the naturist beach with the same name. Then comes Plage de la Bouverie which likewise has lifeguards, a snack bar and a parking lot and Plage du Vieux-Phare which has no services. The southernmost, partially in the municipality of Mathes, is Plage du phare de la Coubre near the lighthouse with parking and lifeguards - this is the beach with the strongest currents.
- Do
El Sol/El Campo
Cruises and fishing trips to the Marennes-Oléron bassin and the islands in the Charente archipelago such as the Oléron, d'Aix, Madame, de Ré islands. The ship El Sol is for fishing tours, and the El Campo for cruises.
- Do
Fitness Club
Gym with facilities for gymnastics, stretching, muscle building and aerobics. On Facebook.
- Do
Fête de la Mer
The other party in the port, a bit later in the summer. It includes musical performances, water games and different competitions, a flower parade, and a fireworks show.
in August
- Do
Fête foraine
Likewise on Place Brochard, a funfair is set up each summer since the 1950s. There are all kinds of activities from ball shooting to trampolines.
- Do
Grande roue de La Tremblade
One of the biggest Ferris wheels in France is installed each summer on Place Brochard. From the wheel there are amazing views all over the region.
- See
Grève harbour
Port de La Grève
The most important oyster port in France, along a 2.5 km long canal connecting central La Tremblade (Place Faure-Marchand) with the Seudre estuary. It is bordered by lively painted huts that are illuminated at night during the season, and at that time festivities with fireworks take place. Traditional fishing boats sail the canal. At the end of the canal there's a viewpoint with views to Marennes and Île d'Oléron, as well as restaurants and souvenir shops.
- Do
Gym sessions
In the summertime there are free gymnastics sessions on Cèpe plage in the morning twice a week, arranged by the municipal government.
- Eat
L'Amarena
Italian restaurant specializing in pizzas, salads and seafood. They also have moules-frites and grilled meat on the menu.
- Eat
La Belle époque
Restaurant with seafood but also crepes, galettes and pizza on the menu.
- Eat
La Bonne Renommée
Fish and seafood restaurant with local specialties including plates with oysters.
- Do
La Grève en Fête
Celebrations in the port of Grève, featuring music, comedy and dance shows, displays of old cars and motorcycles and a firework show.
end of July
- Eat
La Sirène des mers
Fast food place with sandwiches, hamburgers, panini and kebabs. They also have ice cream (traditional and Italian style), crepes, waffles, churros and croustillons (oliebollen, Dutch fritters).
- Drink
Le Bordeaux
A cozy bar with Bordeaux wines and cocktails. There's a terrace and occasionally live concerts.
- Do
Le Cristal
La Tremblade's cinema, in a building with an art deco façade.
- Eat
Le Kiosque à Pizzas
A Le kiosque à pizzas franchise with take away pizza. On Facebook.
- Drink
Le Lounge Bar
The bar of the casino. Cocktails from around the world and special coffees. Cozy ambience.
- Eat
Le Martin Plage
Brasserie in a former post office. Local specialties with a twist such as duck breast, grilled sardines and prawns with avocado tartare but also serving burgers with fries. Has a terrace.
- Eat
Le Pilotis
Seafood, meat and salad on the menu, including oysters, mussels, prawns prepared in different ways and mixed seafood pot.
- Eat
Le Ponton
Also known as Chez les Filles ("at the girls'") as it has an all-female staff, it was the first restaurant in the port to have a terrace built. It specializes in crepes, galettes and salads, and you can also get oysters here.
47 of 47 places have map locations.