Beach Trips
The Best Beaches from Mon Coup de Coeur Gîtes
The Côte Sauvage
The Côte Sauvage is an 1hr 10min drive from Mon Coup de Coeur Gîtes. It offers 4.2 km of Atlantic Ocean coastline in the Bay of Biscay. The beach has stacks of free parking in a protected forest and is backed by sizeable sand dunes. The Atlantic waves crash onto the sand and the area is popular with bathers and water sport enthusiasts. It’s Jo’s favourite beach. The extensive coastline is great for an energetic walk, which is one of our favourite activities, even in the winter months. Be sure to pack a picnic in a cool box.
St Georges de Didonne, Royan and Saint Palais sur Mer all run into one another and together with many other beaches, are referred to as “Destination Royan Atlantique”. They are all less than an hour from Mon Coup de Coeur Gîtes.
St Georges de Didonne
The large beach is the emblematic image of the town. With more than two kilometres of fine sand, set between two limestone cliffs, Vallières, to the north and Suzac to the south, it is immense with equally magnificent views. The length of the beach is impressive but its depth is just as remarkable. Its dimensions are such that everyone can find the space they want and can engage in the activities of their choice, even during peak periods.
Royan
Royan’s Grande Conche Beach is a very large beach in the city centre with easy access, nearby car parks and a promenade along the coast. Restaurants are not necessarily nearby because the beach is very large, it begins in the city centre just after the port and extends to Saint-Georges-de-Didonne. There is access for people with reduced mobility to certain places on the beach near the lifeguard station. At the end of the town there is easy access to many restaurants, cafés and bars for all kinds of food and drink options.
Saint Palais sur Mer
Saint Palais sur Mer is a lively beach destination with all sorts of amazing activities for people of all ages and interests. Facilities include a children’s club complete with baby pool, beach access for people with reduced mobility as well as plenty of watersports inclusive of surfing, bodyboarding and fishing.
While you’re there make sure to book a reservation at Chez Bob’s, a fantastic restaurant with great food and the perfect terrace to sit down and watch the world go by. Their burger is one of Jo’s favourites in France, and she’s very discerning when it comes to burgers! There’s a sizeable car park in town and plenty of parking in the streets surrounding the beach.
Before heading back to the gîtes, drive a little way south to Talmont-sur-Gironde (15 kms from Royan). On a rocky promontory overlooking the Gironde estuary, Talmont has kept its original plan of bastide, built in 1284 by Edward I of Aquitaine. Overlooking the village, the magnificent Sainte-Radegonde church, symbol of the Poitou-Charentes region, is still fortified with ramparts. In the village, houses with white facades and blue shutters reveal themselves behind the hoppers. The town is beautiful and quaint with lots of shops, restaurants, cafés and bars and is a delight to wander around, it really is not to be missed. There is plenty of parking outside the town and Mon Coup de Coeur Gîtes are only an hour’s drive away.
