The Mermaid Cruises

Discover Charente Maritime

Contacts

Opening hours

Closed

Monday 09:00 am - 06:00 pm
Tuesday 09:00 am - 06:00 pm
Wednesday 09:00 am - 06:00 pm
Thursday 09:00 am - 06:00 pm
Friday 09:00 am - 06:00 pm
Saturday 09:00 am - 06:00 pm
Sunday 09:00 am - 06:00 pm

Opens April 1 at 09:00 amDetailed schedules

Closing

from November 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023

Useful information

Location : Sea side

Province : Pays dAunis and the coastline, La Rochelle, Rochefort and Marennes

Services

Cash
Credit card accepted
English spoken
Groups
open 7/7

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English
- Discover the Cordouan Lighthouse, boarding the Jules Verne III or Cap Cordouan in Royan, and visit this exceptional monument for its architectural quality. Built in the 16th century on a rocky islet, the Lighthouse of Cordouan nicknamed "Versailles of the Seas", 68 meters high with its 301 steps, stands majestically between Estuary and Ocean. For more than 400 years, it has guided sailors through the passes at the mouth of the Gironde Estuary, the largest estuary in Europe.
  
  First lighthouse classified as a Historic Monument in 1862, it is the only lighthouse at sea in the world still inhabited by keepers and open to visitors. The Cordouan lighthouse is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  
  We have been transporting visitors to Cordouan since 1992. The visits are organized in partnership with the SMIDDEST manager of the lighthouse. The islet of Cordouan is accessible only a few hours a day, at low tide; the number of visitors is limited.
  Find it on the Guide Charente Maritime's Blog...
  La Sirène cruises: Boat trips to the Cordouan lighthouse and the Gironde estuary
Français

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Traveller Reviews Google The Mermaid Cruises

4.3 sur 5 287 reviews

5 sur 5 Reviews posted by Pat T. on 02/09/2022

Great service to be able to visit the Cordouan Lighthouse !. We bought the tickets through their website, arrived at the port of Royan we went to their kiosk where they gave us the tickets for both the cruise and the visit to the lighthouse. Awesome! If you are in this area of France, a visit is strongly recommended. The cruise necessary to reach this lighthouse located in the middle of the sea is fascinating. At the indicated time, they embark you at the indicated pier; they take you near the shoal, then load you on a barge / amphibious vehicle and disembark you on the pier of the lighthouse where you walk in the water to the entrance. After the visit, to return to the boat you must take a walk between the water of the low tide and the shoal that emerges during the phenomenon, reach the point indicated for the meeting from which you are brought back on board by the same means and to continue up to port. Beautiful experience, very special. The crew is very kind and very precise in their information. Strongly recommended shoes for walking in the water or plastic sandals. I strongly recommend it
5 sur 5 Reviews posted by Emeline F on 31/07/2022

Very good company with professional sailors and very attentive to your questions. The boat is clean. I recommend for all cruises. We went to the Corduan lighthouse, it was perfect, cruise, water ride and visit to the lighthouse.
5 sur 5 Reviews posted by Yann guerin on 06/08/2022

Superb moment when time stops for a marine getaway and enjoy the beautiful landscape. We made the exit to the Cordouan lighthouse. A pleasant staff that does not spoil this pleasant experience

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Traveller Reviews tripAdvisor The Mermaid Cruises

256 reviews

"Smooth trip to Cordouan with a friendly staff"

Reviews posted by R0M41N_L (Jerusalem, Israel) on 01/08/2021

Great experience to go to the lighthouse of Cordouan by boat. Friendly staff, clear instructions and cleaned environment. Definitely recommended
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"Wonderful trip to Cordouan"

Reviews posted by OliviaJJL (Bordeaux, France) on 15/07/2020

Nice boat ride out to the lighthouse. It's worth being early to be on top of the boat though, especially if you tend to get sea sick. The staff was friendly and informative. The last stretch from...
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"4h tour 🚤"

Reviews posted by Delfan-86 (Switzerland) on 01/09/2018

The ticket was a little expensive, 48€ for an adult, but include the ticket to visit the lighthouse. The all tour take 4 hours. Get attention, the time of the visit change every day! Attention...
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