Charente / Vendee Beaches

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

Our favourite - St Palais-sur-Mer

Location: North west of Royan on the D25.  You will find some small car parks on side roads off the D25 on the side away from the sea.  Be careful crossing this busy road on the way to the beach.

General Info: Available from this website all about Atlantic coast holidays.

Description: This delightful little resort has some lovely bays with the headlands creating a beautiful backdrop to the mouth of the Gironde estuary.  The sea is safer here than on the Atlantic facing resorts further to the north west.

Our recommendations: Arrive early to find a parking place not too far from the beach.

For the children: For bucket and spade holidays they may prefer St Georges-de-Didonne to the south or la Plage de la Palmyre to the north. Take a trip to the nearby La Palmyre Zoo to the north of Royan.

External websites offering information on the Vendee and Charente Maritime:

- Poitou Charente Vacances
- Le Charente

- Angela Bird's website on the Vendée

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