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Charente / Vendee Beaches
St Georges-de-Didonne beach

 

 


 

For a beach holiday this area of France gives you  many options. The weather is almost as good as that of the Cote D’Azur, so a good beach holiday in the main summer season is usually assured.  The whole of the west coast from St Nazaire south to the Gironde estuary is beach almost all the way, mostly backed by pine forests.  You do need to be careful here in the water as the Atlantic breakers roll in mercilessly.  For quieter waters head round towards Royan in the Gironde estuary.


We
give you our preferences to help you decide which is most suited to you:

 

  - La Tranche-sur-Mer       - Les Sables-d'Olonne        - St Georges-de-Didonne

  - St Gilles-Croix-de-Vie    - St Jean-de-Monts            - St Palais-sur-Mer

St Georges-de-Didonne  Perfect for a bucket and spade trip to the sea side.

 

Location: On the D25, just south east of Royan.

General Info: The official tourist office website is well worth a visit to see the flash animation, although it wasn't working reliably last time we looked!

Description: Pleasantly situated on the Gironde estuary, St Georges-de-Didonne will appeal to the younger family looking for a bucket and spade beach.  The water itself is not very clear because it is on an estuary but the wide expanse of clean sand is perfect for digging sand castles.  Usually you will find the beach relatively quiet compared to others in the vicinity.

Our recommendations: Take a trip to the nearby La Palmyre Zoo to the north of Royan.

For the children: Ideal for younger children if they are happy pottering around on the sand.

 

Beaches south of St Georges-de –Didonne

 

Just south of St Georges-de-Didonne on D25 are a series of named beaches which are small and wonderfully sheltered, with a backdrop of pine trees. Moving from north to south these are Plage de Suzac, Plage de l’Arnèche, Plage des Vergnes and Plage des Nonnes (nearest to Meschers –sur-Gironde). Of these, our personal favourite is La Plage de Suzac. There is parking next to a café/restaurant on the seaward side of the road, but we imagine this fills up quickly in the summer months. Alternatively there is parking along the road. Shelter is available at the right time of day under the rocky headland which creates a huge natural umbrella!

External websites offering information on the Vendee and Charente Maritime:

-
Poitou Charente Vacances

- Le Charente

- Angela Bird's website on the Vendée

Chosen by our children:

     - Top Attractions in Charente / Vendee
     - Top ten Holiday destinations in France