The Mermaid Cruises

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 am

Closing

  • from November 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023

On social networks

Useful information

Location : Sea side

Province : Pays d’Aunis and the coastline, La Rochelle, Rochefort and Marennes

Services

  • Cash
  • Credit card accepted
  • English spoken
  • Groups
  • open 7/7
  • 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.

  • Français

Traveller Reviews The Mermaid Cruises

4.3 sur 5 287 reviews

  • Pat T.

    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

  • Emeline F

    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.

  • Yann guerin

    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

Traveller Reviews The Mermaid Cruises

4.0 sur 5 256 reviews

  • "Smooth trip to Cordouan with a friendly staff"

    5 / 5 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

    Read the full review
  • "Wonderful trip to Cordouan"

    5 / 5 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...

    Read the full review
  • "4h tour 🚤"

    4 / 5 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...

    Read the full review

Ride around

Arces / Barzan : les coteaux de l'estuaire

Arces / Barzan : les coteaux de l'estuaire
Arces / Barzan : les coteaux de l'estuaire

15,2 km - Arces

Walking

Saint-Just-Luzac : au coeur du marais

Saint-Just-Luzac : au coeur du marais
Saint-Just-Luzac : au coeur du marais

20,3 km - Saint-Just-Luzac

Walking

Rioux : l'étang des Brousses

Rioux : l'étang des Brousses
Rioux : l'étang des Brousses

24,9 km - Rioux

Walking

You will like also

Grande Conche beach, Royan

Grande Conche beach, Royan
Grande Conche beach, Royan

Very large beach in the city center with very easy access, nearby car parks and a promenade along the coast. What ...

388 m - Royan

Foncillon beach, Royan

Foncillon beach, Royan
Foncillon beach, Royan

Small Royannaise beach, it is pleasant between the two tides, because at low tide, the water withdraws far and at ...

397 m - Royan

Sentier du littoral de Royan, Saint-Palais et la Côte Sauvage

Sentier du littoral de Royan, Saint-Palais et la Côte Sauvage
Sentier du littoral de Royan, Saint-Palais et  ...

Many trails run along the Atlantic coast of Brittany to Spain. These trails are also part of the Chemins de ...

1,1 km - Royan

Royan

Royan
Royan

First seaside resort in the 19th century, then that of the first paid holidays in 1936, Royan seduces with its ...

1,1 km - Royan

Chay beach, Royan

Chay beach, Royan
Chay beach, Royan

It is also called the Conche du Chay, it feels like a little cocoon in the middle of rocky cliffs. It is a less ...

1,1 km - Royan

loading... map preview

The Mermaid Cruises

Address

Quai de Monastir
Port de Royan
17200 Royan

GPS coordinates

45° 37'14.03"N, 1° 1'44.86"W

We tested for you

Seaside getaway on the coast of Royan

Seaside getaway on the coast of Royan
Seaside getaway on the coast of Royan

333 m - Royan

What to do when it rains in Charente-Maritime

What to do when it rains in Charente-Maritime
What to do when it rains in Charente-Maritime

333 m - Royan

La Sirène cruises: Boat trips to the Cordouan lighthouse and the Gironde estuary

La Sirène cruises: Boat trips to the Cordouan lighthouse and the Gironde estuary
La Sirène cruises: Boat trips to the Cordouan  ...

333 m - Royan

Planet Exotica: You have never seen a park like this ...

Planet Exotica: You have never seen a park like this ...
Planet Exotica: You have never seen a park lik ...

333 m - Royan

La Tremblade : between land, sea and estuary

La Tremblade : between land, sea and estuary
La Tremblade : between land, sea and estuary

333 m - Royan

Events nearby

Marché couvert de Saint-Palais-sur-Mer

Marché couvert de Saint-Palais-sur-Mer
Marché couvert de Saint-Palais-sur-Mer

01/01/2023 to 18/04/2023

5,1 km - Saint-Palais-sur-Mer

Marchés

Fête de la Nature

Fête de la Nature
Fête de la Nature

27/05/2023 to 28/05/2023

5,6 km - Saint-Georges-de-Didonne

Fêtes populaires

Visite mec plus ultra "Y-a-t-il un guide dans le sentier ?"

Visite mec plus ultra "Y-a-t-il un guide dans le sentier ?"
Visite mec plus ultra "Y-a-t-il un guide dans  ...

28/05/2023

5,6 km - Saint-Georges-de-Didonne

Divers

Promenade forestière dans le "Domaine de Suzac"

Promenade forestière dans le "Domaine de Suzac"
Promenade forestière dans le "Domaine de Suzac"

17/06/2023

5,6 km - Saint-Georges-de-Didonne

Divers

Marché de Meschers-sur-Gironde

Marché de Meschers-sur-Gironde
Marché de Meschers-sur-Gironde

01/01/2023 to 30/06/2023

9,0 km - Meschers-sur-Gironde

Marchés

Marché des Mathes

Marché des Mathes
Marché des Mathes

01/01/2023 to 30/06/2023

14,1 km - Les Mathes

Marchés

Marché bio d'Arvert

Marché bio d'Arvert
Marché bio d'Arvert

01/01/2023 to 31/12/2023

15,4 km - Arvert

Marchés

Rencontre Bien-Etre & Arts Divinatoires

Rencontre Bien-Etre & Arts Divinatoires
Rencontre Bien-Etre & Arts Divinatoires

15/04/2023 to 16/04/2023

16,9 km - Saint-Sornin

Divers

48ème salon de la conchyliculture et des cultures marines

48ème salon de la conchyliculture et des cultures marines
48ème salon de la conchyliculture et des cultu ...

29/03/2023 to 30/03/2023

22,5 km - La Tremblade

Foires et Salons

Marché de Marennes

Marché de Marennes
Marché de Marennes

01/01/2023 to 31/12/2023

23,3 km - Marennes

Marchés

You will also like

Planet Exotica

Planet Exotica
Planet Exotica

Located in the heart of a highly tourist region, the Planet Exotica Royan Park will amaze the whole family! Spread ...

1,6 km - Royan

Regulus Caves

Regulus Caves
Regulus Caves

Located 12 km from Royan, the Regulus Caves, a municipal troglodyte site, are open to the public until November 13, ...

9,1 km - Meschers-sur-Gironde

Michelaise beer

Michelaise beer
Michelaise beer

At the edge of the largest estuary in Europe, the Gironde, between water and cliffs, a Michelais (resident of ...

9,6 km - Semussac

Musée et site gallo-romains du Fâ

Musée et site gallo-romains du Fâ
Musée et site gallo-romains du Fâ

Under your feet, over 2,000 years of history ! Overlooking the Gironde estuary on more than 40 ha, the ...

15,1 km - Barzan

Cité de l'Huître

Cité de l'Huître
Cité de l'Huître

Cité de l'Huître offers you, through courses, initiations, games, activities, films, to make you live the world of ...

20,6 km - Marennes