Parks and the outdoors in Royan

21 parks, gardens, beaches and walks in and around Royan.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

See
Chay Beach
Plage du Chay
A small and intimate beach with extremely fine sand set between two cliffs. The path leading to the beach from the centre has nice views over the Garonne estuary.
free access
See
Coubre lighthouse
Phare de la Coubre
The Coubre lighthouse was built in 1905 at the mouth of the Gironde estuary. At a height of 64 m, it's the highest lighthouse on the Charente coast. More than 300 steps lead up to the top, from where there are fantastic views over the Coubre pine forest, Royan with surroundings, Oléron island and the coasts of Médoc. On Facebook.
See
Foncillon Beach
Plage de Foncillon
Right in the heart of the city below the congress palace. In 1819, when Royan first became a resort, this beach was assigned as a beach for ladies only. Nowadays it's open to everybody, and popular with families as there are hardly any currents. Here too there are beach chairs and tents for rent.
free access
Do
Garden Tennis
One of the most important tennis complexes in the region, set next to the sea on the Chay cliff. It has 14 tennis courts (three of which are covered), lodging and a conference room.
Do
Golf de Royan
Set in a pine forest, it's one of the largest golf courses in southwestern France. It features a 6-hole practice course, a 9-hole pitch and putt course and 18-hole green.
See
Grande-Conche beach
Plage de la Grande-Conche
A 2.6 km long magnificent beach of fine sand, this is the largest and most central of Royan's beaches. It ranges from the marina to the tip of Vallières, and is shaped like a shell, hence its French name translates to the Great Shell Beach. In season beach chairs and tents in yellow, blue and white (the colours of the city) are set up along the beach, and lifeguards patrol the beach from mid-June to early September from 11:00 to 19:00. Also events take place on the beach, most notably the "Un violon sur le sable" festival and the fireworks show on August 15.
free access, there's a fee to use the beach chairs
See
Grottes de Matata
The town of Meschers is famous for the Matata and Régulus caves. Dug out in cliffs next to the river, they were inhabited until the early 20th century. The Matata caves feature a museum showcasing underground life throughout the centuries, and a hotel and a crêperie. On Facebook.
Drink
L'Orangerie
Small bar in the Parc district, near the public gardens and tennis club. Varied clientele.
Eat
Le Tiki
On the Grande-Conche beach, divided into a Tiki-Nord and Tiki-Sud part and has outdoor seating. There's a buffet of vegetables and appetizers, and entrecôte, seafood and pizzas on the menu.
Do
Luna Park
Amusement park open every evening during high season. On Facebook.
See
Parc de l'estuaire
The Estuary Park is an extension of the protected Suzac Forest, and presents the fragile ecosystem of the region. There's a museum and guided parks tours. Set on a cliff, it offers amazing views of the surroundings. On Facebook.
See
Parc des Jardins du Monde
A botanical park of 7.5 ha near the Carel university. It has an impressive collection of orchids in a huge greenhouse, perhaps even the most extensive in Europe. The exterior comprises an English, Japanese and a Tuscan garden. Other exhibits include a large 1800 year old olive tree, a "labyrinth" of rainforest vegetation, an aromatic garden and a rose garden. On Facebook.
€5 for children, €8 for adults
Do
Parc-aventure Coolongalook
A park with different activities for children, such as tree climbing, adventure trails where one can learn about nature and plants, orientation and survival. On Facebook.
See
Pontaillac Beach
Plage de Pontaillac
Once upon a time this was the beach for the upper class who went there wearing suits and gloves. After WWII however it has become a beach among the others and can get really busy. It's also popular with surfers, and there's a surf school and surf shops nearby. The casino sits right on the beach. Tents and beach chairs for rent.
free access
See
Royan Port
Port de Royan
After being destroyed in WWII, the port was rebuilt in 1965, enlarged in 1983 and 1993, and renovated in 2008. It's one of the most important marinas between Nantes and Arcachon and has space for 1000 boats, a fishing port and is the starting point for ferries across the river. It's lined by shops, restaurants and bars making up the Les Voûtes du Port mall. On Facebook.
See
Seafront
Front de Mer
The seafront is a 600 m long built extension of the Grande-Conche beach, a transition between the city and the beach, and the liveliest part of the city during summer. This set of buildings were built in the "tropical modernist" style described in Understand above. The ground floor of the buildings forms a long shopping arcade with a variety of shops, restaurants, bars and cinemas. In the bar Le Regalty, famous French rock singer Alain Bashung (1947-2009) performed for the first time in 1963.
Do
Skate Park
Opened in 2012, the city's skate park has a surface of about 870 m2 and a lot of different surfaces.
Do
Zoo de La Palmyre
Covering more than 18 hectares of pine forest, it's one of the largest private zoos in Europe with 130 species and more than 1600 animals. The zoo is in the nearby resort of La Palmyre in the commune of Les Mathes. On Facebook.
Do Not mapped
15 August fireworks
Spectacle pyrosymphonique du 15 août
On 15 August each year, the biggest fireworks show on the French Atlantic coast takes place here, likewise gathering up to 100000 viewers on the beach. Each year the show is accompanied by a different music theme.
15 August
Do Not mapped
Un violon sur le sable
One of the biggest events in town, the "violin on the sand" festival can be considered the Woodstock of classical music, big enough to be broadcasted on national television. Established in 1987, it takes place in July for three days when up to almost 100 000 visitors come to sit on the beach to enjoy classical music. Performances include a wide range of music from baroque pieces to traditional songs. On Facebook.
July
Do
Mini-Golf du Parc
A mini golf course right in the middle of a public garden.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Royan (CC BY-SA 4.0).