Royan Museum
Discover the Royan Museum in Charente Maritime
Royan Museum is located in the former Pontaillac districtThe former museum disappeared with the Palais de Foncillon during the 1945 bombardment.
Through its various collections, the Museum reconstructs the history of the Royan region: the emergence of the town, the development of tourism, the Second World War, post-war reconstruction, and Pablo Picasso's famous stay in Royan.
The museum also features temporary exhibitions and a gift store.
It's within walking distance of Pontaillac beach and the Royan casino, also on Pontaillac beach. The museum, you're just a few minutes' drive from the town of Royan and the seafrontand the ferry across the Gironde to the Pointe du Verdon.
The Louis Simon art gallery, Grande Conche beach, Royan market and Notre dame de Royan church are also just a few minutes away. Closer to home, you'll find the Notre-Dame-des-Anges chapel.
Of course you can, The town of Royan also has other beaches, all worth discovering.
RoyanThe town of St. Tropez, in the south-west of France, is a pretty little town on the Atlantic coast. It lies at the entrance to the Gironde estuary, and is surrounded by seaside resorts.
Today, the museum is located in Pontaillac, in the building that formerly served as the Pontaillac market (les Halles), not far from Pontaillac beach and just a few meters from the Notre-Dame-des-Anges chapel, at 31 Avenue de Paris.
You can find out more by visiting on the official museum websiteor on Royan city website.
Vacation Accommodation Direct
Visit Royan Museum is a cultural institution dedicated to the history of this emblematic seaside resort on the French Atlantic coast. Located in the old Pontaillac market, in the heart of a historic district, the museum offers a chronological tour rich in artifacts and information about the town's past.
Royan Museum, description and exhibitions
Visit Royan Museumset up in January 2004 in the former Pontaillac market, offers a permanent exhibition of chronological and thematicThe museum, which traces Royan's history from antiquity to the Second World War, and the architectural reconstruction in the 1950s. The building, designed by Michel Bancon and Louis Basalo in 1957, has been renovated to present a sober, contemporary scenography, enhanced by the following features festive and digital for an immersive visit.
Permanent collections
The museum features several major historical milestones:
The origins of Royan from Gallo-Roman remains to the Wars of Religion, tracing the emergence of the seaside town.
Development of seaside tourism in the XIXᵉ century with posters, memorabilia and photographs illustrating the golden age of the "Pearl of the Ocean"..
Picasso's stay in Royan (1939-1940) A space dedicated to the artist, with a reproduction of Le Café à Royan and works inspired by his stay..
The Second World War Occupation, Resistance, 1945 bombings and the "Royan pocket.
Reconstruction Royan as modern architecture laboratory and emergence of the Festival international d'art contemporain des Trente Glorieuses.
Cabinet of curiosities rare objects, exotic specimens and the archaeological memory of the royannais region.
Temporary exhibitions
At the heart of the museum, the central hall hosts an annual temporary exhibition that brings together a variety of disciplines, including history, architecture, visual arts, music and natural sciences.. Until May 31, 2025, the exhibition "Au cœur de l'Histoire d'une Cité Balnéaire" explores the birth, the estuary, sea bathing, Picasso, the 14-18 war, the Second World War and the renewed city.. In summer 2025, a major photo exhibition entitled "Royan '60 - The '60s in Royan: an art of living". presents the daily life of the Trente Glorieuses, captured by Jean-Pierre Boudon, between cafés, beaches, casinos and stars on the terrace..
Practical information
- Address 31 avenue de Paris, 17200 Royan
- Opening hours :
- Wednesday to Friday: 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 am - 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
- Rates :
- Adults: €4.20
- Reduced rate (students, jobseekers, RSA recipients, disabled people): €2.10
- Under 18s: free
- Adult guided tour: €6.50
- Reduced-rate guided tour : 4,50 €
- Workshops for young audiences: €4.20 to €6.80 depending on activity
- Groups: special rates available on request
- Contact : +33 5 46 38 85 96
Discovery and Activities
Where is the Musée de Royan?
The Musée de Royan is located in the Pontaillac district, close to the eponymous beach and casino. This district is renowned for its 19thᵉ century seaside architecture and lively atmosphere. The museum is easily accessible by car, with parking facilities nearby, as well as by public transport.
