The Arvert Peninsula and the Beauty Coast

The Côte de Beauté, full of seduction, deserves its name. It extends its magnificent beaches and coves, its wild dunes, its forest paths, from the Arvert peninsula to the Gironde estuary.

From La Palmyre to Saint-Palais via Royan, Saint-Georges-de-Didonne and up to Meschers sur Gironde, these are landscapes of great diversity and a palette of colors formed by the blue of the ocean, the green of the maritime pines and the white of the limestone cliffs. A postcard setting for an enchanted vacation.

La Palmyre, a zoo and miles of beaches

When we talk about La Palmyre, we first think of its zoo, one of the most renowned in Europe and the most beautiful in France, with more than 1,600 species on 18 hectares. But La Palmyre also has miles of fine sandy beaches, from the tip of the Grande Côte to the bay of Bonne-Anse and a Côte Sauvage popular with surfers.

La Palmyre, created next to the town of Les Mathes, is bordered by the La Courbe national forest, a 5,000-hectare “green lagoon” populated with holm oaks and maritime pines.

For an exceptional view of the Arvert peninsula, the Côte Sauvage and the Gironde estuary, climb the 300 steps of the Courbe lighthouse, 64 metres high.

Saint-Palais-sur-mer, a Belle Epoque resort

Saint-Palais-sur-Mer is a renowned seaside resort, with:

• Its succession of bays or “conches”;
• Its legendary rocks;
• The Devil's Bridge and the Monks' Rock;
• Its small beaches and its emblematic squares of Charente-Maritime;
• Its Belle Époque villas;
• Its customs path offers beautiful walks.

You can also explore the coastline by bike, thanks to the many cycle paths.

Royan, the most 1950s city

From the coast, you can admire the Cordouan lighthouse, a 68m high lookout point, on a rocky islet. Listed as a historic monument, it is the oldest lighthouse in France.

Saint-Georges-de-Didonne and its coastal path

Almost touching the town of Royan, located in a bay, Saint-Georges-de-Didonne is a seaside resort full of charm. Its coastal path allows for a somewhat wild walk and leads to the port jetty.

The tip of Suzac reveals some small wild coves. In the Suzac forest, the estuary villa houses the interpretation center of the Gironde estuary explaining its genesis and its landscapes. The terrace of this 1950s villa offers a magnificent view of the mouth of the Gironde.

Meschers-sur-Gironde and its cliffs

Perched on limestone cliffs, Meschers overlooks the Gironde estuary and offers a spectacular and unusual landscape with strange troglodyte dwellings. Only the caves of Régulus and Matata are open to the public. Meschers is surrounded by several fine sandy beaches suitable for swimming. Boating and hiking are a delight for holidaymakers.

Talmont-sur-Gironde, the most beautiful village in France

Perched on a peninsula, Talmont-sur-Gironde, an ancient citadel, offers an exceptional panorama of the estuary and its carrelets (fishermen's huts built on stilts). Its small white houses and its maze of narrow streets invite you to take a stroll.

The Sainte-Radegonde church, in the Saintonge Romanesque style, is built on a promontory. Inside, suspended from the vault, an ex-voto frigate is listed as a historic monument. A tiny marine cemetery adjoins the religious building.

The rampart walk allows you to go around the village and admire some very beautiful viewpoints. 2 km to the east, the Gallo-Roman site of Fâ, an ancient port city, allows you to immerse yourself in history with a reconstructed sanctuary and thermal baths.

THE ARVERT PENINSULA

Located in the northwest of Royannais, the Arvert peninsula is a natural region bordered by the Maumusson strait and the Atlantic Ocean. It is located between two estuaries, namely the Seudre and the Gironde, which give the peninsula a great variety of landscapes.

Arvert , the capital, is a welcoming little town that places great emphasis on tourism and commerce . It highlights its local heritage, particularly with its oyster ports, and its architecture.

The Wild Coast of the Arvert peninsula will delight nature lovers, sports enthusiasts and fans of relaxing by the water. Indeed, a large beach of more than twenty kilometers extends to the south of the peninsula where you can enjoy many dunes that shape the landscape. To the southwest, you can admire the Coubre lighthouse which dominates the horizon from a height of 64 meters. In its extension, you can also enjoy the bay of Bonne Anse and its abundant fauna, particularly in terms of sea birds.

Several hiking trails will allow you to enjoy a mainly forest flora that extends over several kilometers. You can also take advantage of the cycle and bridle paths that have been developed to allow you to discover the treasures of this territory.

In addition, surf lovers will find what they are looking for by going to the west coast where several surf spots welcome amateurs and professionals to spend pleasant sporting moments.