Things to do in Royan

39 activities, venues and outings in Royan, from theatres and live music to parks and tours.

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

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Carroussel de Royan
A merry-go-round built in the same style as the rides that visitors could enjoyed in Royan's former version (before WWII). It's decorated with pictures of famous sites on southwestern France.
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Casino Barrière
A distant successor to the La Restauration casino established in 1880, it's the only casino in Royan nowadays. It features gambling machines, poker and table games. There are three restaurants (with sea views), four bars and a disco. Casual clothing during the day, more formal in the evening. On Facebook.
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Centre aquatique Iléo
At the entrance of Oléron island, this is a waterpark with attractions like water games, an artificial lagoon, a surfing area, huge slides and a wave pool.
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Croisières La Sirène
Tours to the Cordouan lighthouse, the lighthouses in the north of the Gironde estuary (Saint-Georges-de-Didonne passing Cordouan, Le Verdon and La Coubre) and discovery tours of the estuary. On Facebook.
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Espace Cordouan
The heart of the Toutvent sports campus, the Espace Cordouan features a sports field, a boxing ring, and a weightlifting room.
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Espace Squash Royan-Atlantique
Squash center founded in 1983 with seven courts, three of which has movable walls. On Facebook.
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Fronton de Royan
The Basque Country isn't far away and Royan has a fronton (court) for the Basque sport pelota, inaugurated in 1933.
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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.
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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.
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Grande roue de Royan
A 40 m high Ferris wheel in the port, first set up in 2010 (and set up there every year), with 144 seats. Offers great views of the city, its landmarks and the estuary. On Facebook.
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Hammam - Les bains de Royan
Decorated in Middle Eastern style, the hammam offers warm baths and warm rooms and different treatments such as scrubs, wraps and massages. On Facebook.
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Luna Park
Amusement park open every evening during high season. On Facebook.
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Oyat - École de Surf
Surfing school with certified teachers. You can learn surfing, bodyboarding and stand up paddle boarding here. On Facebook.
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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.
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Royan Croisières
Different circuit tours on the estuary, some with and others without stops. There are tours to the Cordouan lighthouse, Pointe de Grave and Port-Médoc, Meschers and its caves, Saint-Georges Bay and just to see the sunset on the sea. On Facebook.
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Skate Park
Opened in 2012, the city's skate park has a surface of about 870 m2 and a lot of different surfaces.
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Stade d'Honneur
The main stadium, seating 7500 people on the grandstand is another grand building from the 1950s, nevertheless it was left partially unfinished. Its football field is the home of the local team RVAFC, moreover there are many indoor halls where handball and basketball games and boxing matches take place.
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Station nautique Royan Atlantique
A base for sea activities where you can rent many kinds of sea sports equipment. On Facebook.
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Street Gym Royan
Gym with equipment for weight lifting and muscle building as well as cardiovascular training, plus different fitness courses. On Facebook.
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Surf Club Royan Atlantique
Founded in 1993, this is the main surfing club of Royan. On Facebook.
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Tennis de L'Hippocampe
Part of the La Triloterie sports campus, it has three clay courts.
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Tennis de L'Orangerie
Has three courts with artificial grass surface, three with acrylic Greenset surface, and two clay courts.
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Thalazur Royan
Thalassotherapy (sea water therapy) center with massage, sea water bathing, solarium, spa, hammam, and gym. On Facebook.
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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
Festival Escale d'Humour
Stand-up comedy festival going on for several weeks in February with both known and unknown talents performing. The shows seem to be just in French, though.
February
Do Not mapped
Festival des sports urbains
An event dedicated to skateboarding, BMX biking, inline skating, street football and similar "urban sports".
May
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Fête de la Lumière
A local version of the fête des lumières in Lyon, ongoing since 2008. Light art and shows light up the streets of the town at nighttime. The main light and sound show is shown on the walls of the Notre-Dame church.
December
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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
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Cinéma L'ABC
On Facebook.
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Cinéma Le Lido
On Facebook.
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Edenya Royan
Part of the national Edenya gym chain.
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Fish Spa - Les pieds dans l'eau
Spa and "fish pedicure" (ichthyotherapy).
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Gym Club
Gym, fitness and bodybuilding.
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Mini-Golf du Parc
A mini golf course right in the middle of a public garden.
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Piscine municipale
Covered swimming pool, 25 m long and divided into 6 aisles.
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Salle de spectacle
Different shows all around the year.
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Stade Matet
The home of the local rugby team RSR (Royan Saujon Rugby).
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Stade d'Aquitaine
Two fields, used mainly for football, rugby and archery.

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