★ 2 · last edited May 27, 2020
Royan
Contributionsversion #3created May 27, 2020Report this pageLatest contributions in this guideContributors to this guide
Location verified location
Royan
Open the interactive map
Along with its neighbors (St-Palais, Vaux, St Georges de Didonne), the town forms a major seaside resort at the entrance to the Gironde estuary. A ferry connects the two shores from Royan. Nearby is La Palmyre Zoo, the largest private zoo in Europe.
Overview of Royan
Along with its neighbors (St-Palais, Vaux, St Georges de Didonne), the town forms a popular seaside resort at the entrance to the Gironde Estuary. A ferry connects the two shores from Royan. Nearby is La Palmyre Zoo, the largest private zoo in Europe.
Key facts
- Type de lieu: small town.
- Intérêt touristique: (worth seeing).
- Localisation:
- Distances:
- Heure locale: .
- Population: 18,398 inhabitants (2017).
- Superficie: 19.30 km²
- Altitude: sea level.
- Site internet: http://www.royan-tourisme.com
History of Royan
What to see in Royan
Notre-Dame Church, Royan
Built in raw concrete in 1958, it has an "original" shape and is considered a masterpiece of modern architecture.
Built in raw concrete in 1958, it has an "original" shape and is considered a masterpiece of modern architecture.
Waterfront
With its urban beaches, seaside villas (mostly post-war), its port, and its corniche (in Pontaillac), the city offers lovely urban walks and swimming opportunities.
With its urban beaches, seaside villas (mostly post-war), its port, and its corniche (in Pontaillac), the city offers lovely urban walks and swimming opportunities.
Royan Museum
Housed in the former Pontaillac market, it showcases Royan’s history from antiquity to the Second World War, as well as the 1950s architecture that left its mark on the city.
Housed in the former Pontaillac market, it showcases Royan’s history from antiquity to the Second World War, as well as the 1950s architecture that left its mark on the city.
Planet Exotica
A botanical and zoological garden spanning 8 hectares in the heart of Pousseau’s urban marshes. It features a wide variety of reptiles from around the world.
A botanical and zoological garden spanning 8 hectares in the heart of Pousseau’s urban marshes. It features a wide variety of reptiles from around the world.
La Palmyre Zoo
On the outskirts of Royan, the zoo is one of the most visited in France. It is home to 1,600 animals from 120 different species across an area of around twenty hectares.
On the outskirts of Royan, the zoo is one of the most visited in France. It is home to 1,600 animals from 120 different species across an area of around twenty hectares.
What to do in Royan
Climate and weather in Royan
Sea temperature throughout the year
| Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. | May | June | July | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royan | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 12 |
Transport
Getting there
Getting around
Accommodation
Eating
Useful addresses
Nearby
Among the many interesting sites to see around Royan:
Wild Coast
This is a coastal area spanning around twenty kilometers north of the Gironde Estuary, primarily within the municipality of La Tremblade. The spot is renowned for its stunning dunes and surfing.
This is a coastal area spanning around twenty kilometers north of the Gironde Estuary, primarily within the municipality of La Tremblade. The spot is renowned for its stunning dunes and surfing.
Gironde Estuary
Spanning both Gironde and Charente-Maritime, the Estuary offers beautiful walks and landscapes along much of its 75 km. It’s also off its coast that the "famous" Cordouan Lighthouse is located.
Spanning both Gironde and Charente-Maritime, the Estuary offers beautiful walks and landscapes along much of its 75 km. It’s also off its coast that the "famous" Cordouan Lighthouse is located.
Île d'Oléron
France’s largest island after Corsica. Visitors come for its beaches, forest, hiking and cycling opportunities, and to explore the town of Château-d'Oléron with its citadel and surrounding old houses.
France’s largest island after Corsica. Visitors come for its beaches, forest, hiking and cycling opportunities, and to explore the town of Château-d'Oléron with its citadel and surrounding old houses.
La Tremblade
Opposite Oléron Island, it’s a large coastal and forested town. The area is loved for its charming oyster-farming huts, dunes, surf spots, and, as a side note, the "Seagull Train". Most of the Côte Sauvage is located within this municipality.
Opposite Oléron Island, it’s a large coastal and forested town. The area is loved for its charming oyster-farming huts, dunes, surf spots, and, as a side note, the "Seagull Train". Most of the Côte Sauvage is located within this municipality.
Marennes
This small town lies at the heart of one of Europe’s largest oyster-farming basins. It’s home to the Cité de l’Huître (Oyster City), charming oyster-farming huts, a quaint old town centre, and a seaside district.
This small town lies at the heart of one of Europe’s largest oyster-farming basins. It’s home to the Cité de l’Huître (Oyster City), charming oyster-farming huts, a quaint old town centre, and a seaside district.
Meschers-sur-Gironde
A former fishing village turned seaside resort along the Gironde Estuary. You can also see many *carrelets* (fishing huts) and caves carved into the cliffs overlooking the river.
A former fishing village turned seaside resort along the Gironde Estuary. You can also see many *carrelets* (fishing huts) and caves carved into the cliffs overlooking the river.
Cordouan Lighthouse
On its island at the mouth of the Estuary, Cordouan is the last offshore lighthouse open to the public. Access is still fairly regulated, though.
On its island at the mouth of the Estuary, Cordouan is the last offshore lighthouse open to the public. Access is still fairly regulated, though.
Talmont-sur-Gironde
A stunning medieval fortified town, this charming small commune overlooking the Gironde Estuary is a must-see tourist destination in the region.
A stunning medieval fortified town, this charming small commune overlooking the Gironde Estuary is a must-see tourist destination in the region.
Further reading
Recommended
La Palmyre Zoo
★★★ On the outskirts of Royan, the zoo is one of the most visited in France. It is home to 1,600 animals from 120 different species across an…
Worth a look / Other
Seafront (Royan)
★★ With its urban beaches, seaside villas (mostly post-war), its port, and its corniche (in Pontaillac), the city offers lovely urban walks…
Notre-Dame Church, Royan
★ Built in raw concrete in 1958, it has an "original" shape and is considered a masterpiece of modern architecture.
Royan Museum
★ Housed in the former Pontaillac market, it showcases Royan’s history from antiquity to the Second World War, as well as the 1950s…
Planet Exotica
★ A botanical and zoological garden spanning 8 hectares in the heart of Pousseau’s urban marshes. It features a wide variety of…