This seaside resort town on France's Atlantic coast has Art Deco buildings from its 1950s reconstruction and five sandy beaches popular with summer visitors.
Royan, a coastal town in western France, was rebuilt in the 1950s with bold modernist buildings like the concrete Notre-Dame Church with its 56-meter spire and the shell-shaped Central Market. You'll find five sandy beaches along the Atlantic coast, from the surfing waves at Pontaillac to the calm waters of Grande Conche. The town sits where the Gironde estuary meets the ocean, with an active fishing port and a marina housing over 1,000 boats. In summer, the "Violin on the Sand" festival brings classical music to the beach.
Five Beaches of Royan
Five beaches, called conches, line the town's coast. Each has its own character: you can surf at Pontaillac, swim in the calm waters of Grande Conche with your family, or sunbathe at the smaller beaches. A waterfront promenade connects all beaches, with cafes and ice cream shops along the way.
Modernist Architecture Tour
The 1950s reconstruction filled Royan with modernist buildings. The Notre-Dame Church dominates the skyline with its 56-meter-tall spire and raw concrete walls. In the Central Market, an 8-centimeter-thick parachute-shaped roof lets sunlight filter through glass blocks. The Palais des Congrès combines cubic shapes with external staircases and curved inner walls.
Getting Around Royan
You can explore Royan by bike on urban cycling routes connecting the beaches and neighborhoods. The Vélodyssée cycle path runs north from town, while the 2 Seas Canal route heads south. Regular buses serve the town, and the train station connects to Paris via high-speed rail.
Water Activities and Sports
From the marina, you can take boat trips to the Cordouan lighthouse or along the Gironde estuary. Try surfing at Pontaillac beach, jet skiing, or paddleboarding on the Seudre river. In summer, swim in the outdoor seawater pool at Foncillon while looking out to the ocean.
Day Trips from Royan
A 30-minute ferry takes you across the Gironde estuary to the MĂ©doc wine region. Visit the Regulus Caves in Meschers, 15 kilometers away, to see houses carved into limestone cliffs. At La Palmyre Zoo, you can see 1,600 animals. The medieval village of Talmont-sur-Gironde sits on a rocky promontory above the estuary.
Markets and Local Food
The Central Market opens daily except Mondays. Local producers sell fresh seafood from the fishing port, regional cheeses, and Pineau des Charentes wine. Farmers bring seasonal produce, and in 2019 the market was voted France's second-favorite market.
Summer Events
During the "Violin on the Sand" festival, Grande Conche beach becomes an open-air concert venue for three evenings. Watch fireworks on July 14 and August 15. In summer, when 90,000 visitors arrive, the seafront fills with street performers and evening markets.
