Introduction

Royan, once a fashionable resort of the Bourgeoisie but heavily bombed by the Allies in an attempt to dislodge a large contingent of German troops who had withdrawn into the area after the D-Day landings, it is still popular today but no longer as exclusive. Today it is better known for its beautiful beaches with fine pale sand making it the true jewel of the Atlanitic coast. Above all, Royan is a modern and spacious town with its fishing port and marina opening onto the ocean. Its stuning architecture will be appreciated especially around the sea front with its boutiques and lively side-walk cafes, and the surprisingly modern market. You have sun, beaches, architecture, sports and gastronomy. There is also a large area of forestland which is ideal for long walks. If you are a sports lover then Royan is the place for you. Royan has facilities for Golf, tennis, riding, parachute jumping, sailing, surfing, angling and many others. A visit to Royan will mean you can discover one of the richest areas in France with its Romanesque edifices, abbeys, chapels, castles and beautiful parks,

Information

For more information you should visit the tourist office which is situated at the east end of the seafront.

Getting around

The best way to discover the region is on foot, by bike or by car. You can hire bikes from the train station. You can hire cars very easily - contact the local tourist office for details.

Eating and Drinking

There are many cafes and restaurants in Royan to sample, in fact the recently renovated seafront is lined with cafes, pizza restaurants and snack bars Good value menus can be found at the Ralais de la Mairie, 1 rue de Chay, specilaising in seafood dishes and gourmet salads. Self caterers will find high quality fresh produce at the Central Market situated at the end of Boulevard A-Briand, open every day except for Monday. Also a region of gastronomy, the Gironde/Bordeaux region is famous for oysters, wine and cognac.

The nighlife is not particulary extensive due to the small size of Royan itself but there are a couple of bars and nighclubs and even a casino for those who like staying out until the early hours of the morning.

Don't Miss

The best building to look at in Royan is the Notre Dame church built after the destruction of Royan in 1945. It is built of concrete but is magnificent to look at due to its 80m spire which soars up to the sky. A good place to visit is the historical museum named "The Royan Pocket" 10 km from Royan, this museum is home to vehicles, photos, posters and documents from the last German Occupation of the Atlantic coast in 1944. Don't miss the town centre of 1950's architecture hosting over 500 different shops.