Where to swim in Royan 

The beach at St Georges de Didonne

The beach at St Georges de Didonne is a long, sandy beach located in Saint Georges de Didonne, in the Charente Maritime region of France, on the Côte de Beauté. This beach is ideal for families. There are rarely any waves, which is ideal for young children. Sailing and other water sports are available.

The beach at Saint Georges de Didonne stretches from the Pointe de Suzac, with its accrobranche (tree climbing) and the nearby Parc de l'Estuaire, to the nautical center, not far from the Vallières lighthouse and the little port of St Georges.

From St Georges beach, it's only a few minutes' walk to the town center, where you can enjoy a drink on the terrace in Place de Verdun, opposite the church, or on Rue de la République. From the beach, you're also just a few minutes' drive from the Grande Conche beach in Royan, or the small beaches of Meschers Sur Gironde.

On the beach, you'll find first-aid posts and toilets, and in the immediate vicinity, the St Georges sailing club, a merry-go-round and shops (bars, ice-cream parlors, restaurants, etc.).

To plan your beach outing and check the weather, you can view the live webcam by clicking here.

Pontaillac beach in Royan

Pontaillac beach in Royan is a 400 m long, family-friendly, sandy beach, popular with residents and holidaymakers alike. It is located in the Pontaillac district, to the north of the town of Royan, bordering the commune of Vaux Sur Mer.

It is located in an urban area, with the Royan casino and two restaurants at its center, and houses of remarkable architecture and rocky cliffs on either side.
It's possible to swim, with lifeguards on duty in July and August, but it's also possible to surf or bodyboard, as the spot is well known to surfers as a fallback spot in the event of heavy swells. The promenade along Pontaillac beach has been redeveloped to offer an impressive view of the site.

It also has a kids' club, a sailing club and a surf club, and deckchairs can be rented in season. There's also a pétanque court to the west. To the south of the beach, across the road, is a mini-golf course.
On the other side of the road along the beach, you can enjoy the terraces of bars, restaurants and ice-cream parlors. Please note that pets are not allowed. It's easy to get to the seafront in Royan from Pontaillac beach, or in Vaux Sur Mer.

Close to the beach are the Musée de Royan and the Notre-Dame-des-Anges chapel. Further afield, you can enjoy the Foncillon beach, the Grande Conche beach, or even visit the Royan church.

Where to swim in Royan - the beaches of vaux sur mer, Saint Palais sur Mer

Nauzan beach in Vaux sur Mer

Nauzan Beach in Vaux sur Mer is located on the Côte de Beauté in Charente Maritime, also known as Plage du Vaux sur Mer, on the border of the communes of Vaux sur Mer and Saint Palais sur Mer. It is the widest beach in the town of Vaux sur Mer.

This family-friendly sandy beach is very popular in high season. It's actually a cove, surrounded by rocky cliffs.

It's famous for its waves, and there are plenty of surfers when the swell is too big on the wild coast. The beach is supervised in season and has a sailing school. In fact, the left-hand side of the beach is reserved for sailing activities. There's also a kids' club in high season.

It also boasts a long promenade where night markets and concerts are held. On the beach, you'll find the well-known restaurant-bar 'la maison blanche', a trendy party spot. The conche is surrounded by a footpath, formerly known as the 'sentier des douaniers'.

Not far from Nauzan beach are Plage du Platin, Pont du diable, Plage du Concié and Grande Côte. The beaches of Saint Palais sur Mer are a great place to spend quality time with the whole family.

Saint Palais sur Mer beach

The beach at Saint Palais sur Mer on the coast of beauty in Charente Maritime, also known as office range is located in the center of town, and stands out not only for its ideal location for leisure activities and shopping, but also for its landscape of rocks and cliffs, on which are set beautiful houses, most of them remarkable for their architecture dating back to the belle époque.

The beach is a fine sandy beach, supervised in high season and equipped with all amenities - disabled access, shower, swimming pool, toilets - as well as a kids' club, etc. However, dogs are not allowed, and water sports are prohibited.

Not far from Plage du Bureau are Plage du Platin, Pont du diable, Plage du Concié and Grande Côte. Plenty of family fun to be had on the beaches of Saint Palais sur Mer.

Where to swim in Royan - the beaches of the Gironde estuary

To find out where to swim in Royan, it's useful to know about the beaches to the south of Royan, the beaches on the Gironde estuary.

The Nonnes beach in Meschers

The nuns' beach is one of Meschers' best-known beaches. Located between Plage des Vergnes and Conche de Cadet, it features a sailing center and two bar-restaurants, including the famous Bikki Beach, formerly Tina's Café. You'll also find water sports activities, with the Cercle Nautique de Meschers.

Close to Plage des Nonnes are Plage des Vergnes and the small Plage de l'Arnèche, and the famous Conche des Cadets, where legend has it that Cadet, a pirate, lured ships that came aground on the rocks, so that he could then plunder them.

Not far from the beach, you can visit the town center, organized around the Meschers church, where you'll find the market square, a few stores and restaurants, all within easy walking distance. It's a busy place in high season.

From the church, it's easy to get to the port of Meschers, as well as the cliffs of Meschers to discover the famous carrelets. Nearby are the Nonnes beach, the Vergnes beach and the small Arnèche beach.

Les Vergnes beach in Meschers

La Plage des Vergnes a Meschers is one of Meschers' best-known beaches. It is located between Plage des Nonnes and Plage de l'Arnèche, in the Suzac forest. You can get there by taking the D25.

It's possible to swim all year round, but please note that the beach is supervised in season. There are two bars on either side of the beach, one of which also serves as a brasserie, and you can go hiking along the coastal path, mountain biking in the Suzac forest, and even walking.

Near the Plage des Vergnes are the Plage des Nonnes and the small Plage de l'Arnèche, and further along is the famous Conche des Cadets, where legend has it that Cadet, a pirate, lured ships that came aground on the rocks, so that he could then plunder them.

Heading towards Saint Georges de Didonne, you'll find the beautiful Suzac beach.

From the vergnes beach, it's easy to get to the Meschers harbor, but also to the Meschers cliffs to discover the famous carrelets.

Suzac beach

Suzac beach a Meschers is a long, easily accessible beach located to the north of the commune of Meschers, on the road to Saint Georges de Didonne.

It's located between Plage des Vergnes, Plage de l'Arnèche and Pointe de Suzac, in the Suzac forest.

It's a long, sandy beach, set in a wide cove surrounded by the pine forest and limestone cliffs typical of the banks of the Gironde estuary.

It's possible to swim at Suzac beach, but it's only supervised in season. It's a family beach, and you can also enjoy the sunshine by lying on the sand, paddleboarding, or even visit the cliffs, caves or have a drink. Naturism is not permitted.

What can you find around Suzac beach?
Close to the Suzac beach are the Vergnes beach and the long beach of Saint Georges de Didonne, further along the Nonnes beach, and the famous Cadets cove, where legend has it that Cadet, a pirate, lured the boats that came aground on the rocks, so that he could then plunder them.

How do I get to Suzac beach?
Access to the beach is via a short sloping path and a staircase, located just behind the parking lot.

From Suzac beach, you can go to Meschers harbor, as well as to the Meschers cliffs to discover the famous carrelets.