Want to go to the beach?
You have a lot of choices as far as beaches are concerned. The first beach from the gite is in Meschers-sur-Gironde, a small and very pretty village which offers other activities such as visits to the troglodyte caves of Regulus and Matata, its restaurants, its port, etc.
We particularly appreciate the Beach of Nuns for the simple reason that is the closest, only 35 minutes away, but also because it offers the possibility to enjoy a snack on the beach, feet in the sand, ideal to enjoy tapas or seafood while we watch the children playing on the beach without needing to get up from the table!: the beach is small and even if they go to the other end of the beach we manage to distinguish them at a glance.☺
I recommend the route that goes through Gémozac (super U) and Cozes (the departmental road 732, with fewer curves): if you prefer country roads, use the route that goes through Talmont sur Gironde.
THE NUNS BEACH: If it's hot, for a snack on the sand, Bikki Beach offers a nice terrace on the sand where the kids will keep themselves busy! There are bands playing music all day (and good tapas)
If the weather is cloudy, go to Mon Sopt, on the same beach but on the sunny side, you can have a snack on deckchairs on the sand (ask the waiter), but there is also a good restaurant inside.
In my opinion, the best time to go is to leave around 5:30 p.m. and arrive around 6 p.m. (It's a very small beach that starts to empty in the late afternoon, so think about having a beer on the terrace to reserve a nice spot on the sand!)
Extending the coastline, starting from our home, always towards the north you will find in this order :
Conche de Cadet, 35 minutes by car
Nuns Beach, 35 minutes by car
Les Vergnes Beach, 37 minutes by car
L'Arnèche Beach, 39 minutes by car
Suzac Beach, 39 minutes by car
Saint Georges de Didonne, 39 minutes by car
Royan and its beaches 43 minutes by car
Nauzan beach in Saint Palais sur mer 45 minutes by car
The Bureau beach in Saint Palais sur mer 47 minutes by car
The Devil's Bridge in Saint Palais sur mer 47 minutes by car
La Plage de la Grande Côte 47 minutes by car
Le Platin beach in Saint Palais sur mer 48 minutes by car
The beach of La Palmyre 53 minutes by car
The Lighthouse of La Coubre 59 minutes by car
La Côte Sauvage 62 minutes by car
Conche de Cadet
Vary the pleasures from the large beach of Suzac to the secret conch of Cadet passing by the Arnèche, the Vergnes and the Nonnes at the top for sailing activities. Ideal for sunbathing, these beaches are sheltered by a pine forest. Animals are not allowed on the beach, please refer to the municipal regulation/order posted at the entrance of the beach. Difficult access (many steps)
Conche de Cadet
The beach of Arneche
The beach of Arnèche, located between the beach of Vergnes and the beach of Suzac in Meschers-sur-Gironde, is a small beach in the shape of a cove accessible only on foot by the cornice. This beach is not supervised and difficult to access. 39 minutes by car
Arneche
The beach of Vergnes / 36 minutes by car
In Meschers-sur-Gironde, it is located between the forest of Suzac and the beach of Nonnes. There are 400 meters of fine sand bordered by some small dunes and a forest. At both ends there are restaurants (open only in season). This beach is supervised during the summer.
We particularly appreciated this beach at low tide. The open space is vast and the green environment gives an impression of being totally isolated. On the other hand, swimming is impossible in these conditions, the sea withdraws too far.
Vergnes Beach
Access is via the Boulevard des Beaches (D25). The northernmost parking lot is visible from the road (there is a restaurant on the side of the road). The second access is at the end of the beach (a sign indicates a restaurant on the beach - Avenue des Vergnes). 37 minutes by car
The beach of Suzac / 47 minutes by car
Wilder, without sanitary facilities or restaurants but more natural, with a large space, about 38 minutes away, for a straight and wider road, you still have to pass by Gémozac and Cozes, but the small country roads are also very interesting to see...
La Pointe de Suzac / 47 minutes by car
The Pointe de Suzac is a rocky cape protruding into the Gironde estuary. It is divided administratively between the communes of Saint-Georges-de-Didonne and Meschers-sur-Gironde, in the department of Charente-Maritime.
The beach of Saint Georges de Didone / 47 minutes by car
The large beach is the emblematic image of Saint-Georges de Didonne. With more than two kilometers of fine sand, set between two limestone cliffs, Vallières, to the north and Suzac to the south, it offers a superb immensity with equally magnificent views.the length of the beach is impressive but its depth is just as remarkable. The length of the beach is impressive, but its depth is also remarkable. Its dimensions are such that everyone can find the place they want and can practice the activities of their choice, even during the periods of high frequentation. The beach presents different aspects, from the "developed" character of the part close to the city center to a more "natural" aspect when approaching the Pointe de Suzac.
Nauzan beach / 47 minutes by car
Ideal for families, it is bordered by a paved promenade where you will find shops and restaurants to make the most of the sand, sun and sea.
The beach of Nauzan is also a place of festivity. Every Monday in the summer, a night market is organized from 7:00 pm to 12:00 am. Every Thursday in July and August, the Nauzan promenade becomes musical under the name of Les Jeudis de Nauzan.
The White House
La Maison Blanche, restaurant on the beach of Nauzan, bar restaurant by the sea. In a magnificent setting, a Mediterranean cuisine based on fresh products and an ambiance bar around the pool (link here.)
For more than 20 years, this bar-restaurant, installed on the beach of Nauzan always proposes as much unexpected. Popular with locals and tourists alike, it has a unique setting. The address is popular, as much for tasting a nice plate by the pool as for sipping a cocktail. The atmosphere is relaxed, the service casual and the dishes highlight fish and grilled meats. This is a place that night owls frequent every time they come to the area because this night bar is known to be a trendy spot.
Plage du Bureau in Saint Palais sur mer / 47 minutes by car
In the heart of the resort, put your towel down on the Bureau beach (250m). Bordered by its Belle Epoque villas, it is a beach animated by its terraces and its beach clubs.
The customs path runs along this beach.
Animals are not allowed on the beach, please refer to the municipal regulation/order posted at the entrance of the beach.
The Devil's Bridge in Saint Palais sur mer / 47 minutes by car
The Devil's Bridge in Saint-Palais-sur-Mer, a legend and the goal of the traditional, but always different, walk on the Douaniers' path that leads from the beach of the Center to the rocks of the Pierrières.
Le chemin des Douaniers, le sentier des Pierrières,...to name one of the most beautiful seaside walks in the region. On the right side of the beach, looking at the sea, take the rue de l'Océan, a dead-end street, which leads to the beginning of the most frequented path in Saint-Palais.
A magnificent stroll, to the sound of the waves. Report by Pascal Foucaud, Cédric Cottaz and Bénédicte Biraud
A port in Saint-Palais-sur-Mer ?
You have to take the path on the left, perpendicular to the street, which leads to the small jetty of what was once a tiny port.
From the small pier, you have a beautiful view of the beach of Saint-Palais.
La Plage de la Grande Côte / 47 minutes by car
To the north of Saint-Palais is the beach of the Grande Côte and its 2.5 km of beach bordered by dunes and forest.
Supervised beach from June 18th to August 28th 2022 from 11am to 7pm.
Activities :
- Fishing
- Surf-casting
- Surfing
- Bodyboarding
- Char à voile
- Nautical club
Presence of exceptional historical heritage: blockhouses.
Zone reserved for the practice of sand yachting but also for the practice of nautical and leisure activities (kite flying, fishing...).
Zone also reserved for naturism (between the communes of Mathes and Saint-Palais-Sur-Mer)
Le Platin beach in Saint Palais sur mer / 47 minutes by car
At the exit of the city center of Saint-Palais, going towards La Palmyre, you will find the beach of Platin, a long, quiet and secluded cove (800m).
This beach offers a unique panorama on the carrelets, the legendary rocks (the devil's bridge) and the lighthouse of Terre Nègre.
Be careful, swimming is not supervised and there are sharp rocks which can be dangerous. Beach not recommended for children. Leisure activities (surfing, fishing...) are forbidden.
The customs path runs along this beach.
Animals are not allowed on the beach, please refer to the municipal regulation/order posted at the entrance of the beach.
La Palmyre beach / 53 minutes by car
La Palmyre Beach is a family beach in the shelter of the Bonne Anse bay, so it is ideal for safe swimming.
Located near the city center and the marina, it is equipped with an access ramp for the disabled and has the 'Tourism & Handicap' label.
The Coubre Lighthouse / 59 minutes by car
The Coubre lighthouse is located in the commune of La Tremblade, at the northern end of the Gironde estuary, the largest in Europe.
This sentinel of the sea plays a fundamental role for the maritime traffic in this turbulent part of the coast.
Height : 64m
Number of steps: 300
Lamp power : 250 watts - Fresnel lens Light range : 28 miles (52 km )
The visit
After climbing 300 steps in a blue opaline interior, a 360° panorama offers a breathtaking view of the Côte Sauvage de La Tremblade and its magnificent beaches, the forest of La Coubre, the Gironde estuary and the island of Oléron.
The visit continues at the foot of the lighthouse with a museum describing the history of this "giant of light" and the various materials necessary for its operation.
Thanks to the lighthouse store, visitors can offer themselves a souvenir of this unforgettable moment.
The "Grand Vent" exhibition room located in the lighthouse park allows you to discover artists from April to September.
A foodtruck will delight the most gourmands who also have the possibility to picnic on the spot, in front of the "Géant Trembladais".
A booklet of games for children on the theme of the lighthouse is distributed free throughout the season.
An HD webcam at the top of the lighthouse allows surfers, visitors and the curious to admire the view in real time from the top of the "Sentinel of the Wild Coast".
La Côte Sauvage / 62 minutes by car
A wide straight stretch of land between the Pointe Espagnole (to the north) and the Pointe de la Coubre (to the south), entirely within the boundaries of the commune of La Tremblade, it can be seen as an extension of the Landes coast beyond the Gironde estuary.
Forming a vast beach about twenty kilometres long, it is bordered by dune massifs, themselves partly fixed by the state forest of La Coubre, a pine forest corresponding to the state forest of Pointe de Grave.
The tiles ?
In various parts of the world, from the shore in general, in marine, fresh or brackish waters, and sometimes from a pontoon, a fishery or a boat, horizontal sections of nets (round or square) are also used, which are hauled up after having been set on the bottom (with or without bait depending on the case and the species concerned). They are called "carrelets" (square nets). These nets may be subject to regulations or taxes. It is possible to rent a "carrelet" at the port of Vitrezay (nature reserve, nature escapes, cruises, exhibitions) (27 km, 30 minutes by car)
Rugulus Caves / 35 minutes drive
The caves of Régulus are located in the commune of Meschers-sur-Gironde, about ten kilometers from Royan, in Charente-Maritime. Like the caves of Matata located nearby, they are a tourist site open to visitors for part of the year. The caves of Régulus are a group of troglodytic dwellings built over the centuries in natural cavities.
The natural cavities, resulting from the usual phenomena of limestone dissolution, and enlarged over the centuries by man, have served for centuries as a habitat or refuge. Prehistoric man lived there; later, the poor built a dwelling there.(38 minutes by car)