Location: Saint-Palais-sur-Mer
Top Things to do in Saint-Palais-sur-Mer
Top Restaurants in Saint-Palais-sur-Mer
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The 10 Best Things to Do in Saint-Palais-sur-Mer, France
Saint-Palais-sur-Mer in France, from Europe region, is best know for Geologic Formations. Discover best things to do in Saint-Palais-sur-Mer with beautiful photos and great reviews from traveller around the world here!
Restaurants in Saint-Palais-sur-Mer
1. Le Pont du Diable
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 310 reviews
Reviewed By JohnEF33 - Chester, United Kingdom
If you like walking this is interesting paths just a short distance from the Town. Good for picnics, we have parked at the Devils point and had our picnic after a walk. The walk along the beach and the bay is very good and the views across to the Lighthouse are spectacular with the sun glimmering across the estuary. Just one feature of a great area which I have visited twice a year for the last 12 years - speaks for itself.
2. Phare du Cordouan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 239 reviews
A unique monument in the world, located right in the middle of the sea, at 4.350 miles to French coasts. Every year, it opens its doors to 25 000 enthusiast visitors keen on discovering lighthouse’s history. Get on board in a boat from Gironde or Charente coasts and you will land 4.350 miles in a sandbank surrounded by the ocean: it’s down the lighthouse that adventure begins. Cordouan is like no others: it remains the oldest French lighthouse still in use, while still hosting lighthouse keepers. They are four, taking turns in pairs all year, to provide the site maintenance, but also welcome visitors, showing around the monument. Cordouan lighthouse is a military art structure, classified monument since 1862. During the visit, you could admire a room of great rarity: the chapel of “Notre Dame de Cordouan” situated in the second floor, which is certainly the most majestic part of the structure.
Reviewed By frenchderek - Rochefort, France
Although this trip is listed under Verdun, it can be taken from Royan also: which is what we did. And it is the trip from there that is itself that is part of the enjoyment/challenge. NB this is not suitable for physically disabled people: there is water to wade through and 301 steps to climb,
There are two boats operating from Royan, on alternate days. The 2014 fare of €44 includes entry to the lighthouse. Others have described the wonder of the lighthouse itself. Our friend spent much of his career maintaining ancient buildings around the world, including several Lighthouses. He declared Cordouan the most spectacular he had ever visited. So what can I add? Some words of advice maybe to help choose the best conditions in which to visit.
Boats leave according to the tide. The main boat journey time from Royan is 40 minutes, but then you transfer to a flat-bottomed boat before wading ashore. The boats prefer to arrive about one hour before low tide and leave about the same time after low tide. This allows time to get to the lighthouse as well as for the visit itself.
We chose to go on a day when the tidal coefficient was high - the higher the coefficient, the more the tide rises and recedes (and thus lower water levels at low tide). We also chose a time of year when the water temperature was reasonable (21°C), because there can be knee-deep sea-water to wade through. And we chose a day when the winds were light, because the sea-trip is very exposed, and wind at sea is much cooler. There were about 20-25 on our boat but another boat was visiting from Verdun at the same time. It could get crowded in high season.
The flat-bottomed boat took us to within a few metres of the first sandbank, which is heavily rutted and about 300 metres to cross. Then another strip of water to wade through - this one with rounded rocks on the bottom (the boat crew were very helpful here). After that, there was a short walk to the concrete causeway (100 metres long) which leads up to the lighthouse entrance. From there the beauty of the lighthouse can be seen close up (the wonderful renaissance carvings are easily seen during your walk).
The return trip is the reverse of the above - and can be enlivened by the spectacle of those who chose to leave the lighthouse later than the rest of the party! (NB the crew are very attentive and helpful). Many people had taken their picnic lunch ashore with them but there was not time to eat it there - best left safely on board and eaten on the return journey.
Trips can be booked from the kiosks on the quayside: the boats lie further along the quay. This is one visit we will repeat.
3. Team Exit Royan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Are you curious what Team Exit is all about? Have you heard about escape room?? Do you love solving puzzles and riddles under time pressure? Do you like challenging yourself ? Are you looking for ideas for team or corporate integration? In fact, the reason does not matter... Just gather your team and get ready for an hour full of excitement and adrenaline!
Reviewed By frankylouis - Le Tallud, France
Pour une première, on c’est bien amusé
On ne connaissait pas le concept, mais à coup sur on reviendra
Le seul bémol, le prix qui même pour 2 enfants de moins de 12 ans, paient le même prix que les adultes
4. Plage de La Palmyre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 195 reviews
Reviewed By nnmercman - Camberley, United Kingdom
We'd visited the Zoo and stopped by the beach on our way home. The area is full of camp sites and holiday homes so it does get quite busy around the marina and town - all good with plenty of free parking! A Promenade goes the whole length of the front with a separate cycle path - however, cyclists don't seem to take much notice and can often be experienced on the pedestrian path. You see two Lighthouses - one out in the estuary and the other across the Baie de Bonne Anse (Phare de la Coubre). There's a land train, boat launch facilities/trailer parking, plenty of restaurants/bars near the marina and along the Beaches plus kids activity sites. All in all a nice area with plenty to see and do.
5. Mornac sur seudre
Overall Ratings
4 based on 229 reviews
Reviewed By John F - Newark-on-Trent, United Kingdom
The core attractions of this village are its market square, its church and essentially the oyster beds upon which the village is founded. Now becoming gentrified with shops and galleries marking the route to the waterfront it is still a place of interest and relaxation. An excellent day out if you are in the area.
6. Pirate Parc Royan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 54 reviews
Reviewed By Van P
Visite a l occasion d une fete d anniversaire avec les copains d école du fiston.
Tout le monde ravi.
Les enfants s amusent en toute sécurité, les grands boivent un café en les regardant.
Des structures de jeux sympas, toboggans, piscine à balle, aire de foot ...
7. La Grande Cote
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 99 reviews
Reviewed By Rhys W - Pons, France
Backed by dunes and the forest this is a great beach. One of our favourites and we visit regularly. Sometimes a bit crowded in summer but not (in our experience) too tightly packed, though getting away from this coast on a summer weekend by car can be something of a traffic jam - allow much longer than you'd expect. Lovely place for a brisk walk on a sunny winter afternoon, but fairly exposed so need to wrap up well from the wind. A few dogs on the beach at that time, happily playing and running about, but not intrusive or noisy.
8. Parc Municipal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By JohnEF33 - Chester, United Kingdom
A most beautiful place which has something all its own from the little market to the beautiful shops and park. One of my only complaints about Vaux is that whilst camping there 30 years ago the church clock sometimes woke us up chiming in the night, but a lovely place on a lovely coast and an ideal centre to operate from.
9. Zoo de la Palmyre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By Lin W - Lichfield, United Kingdom
I hadn't been to a zoo since my children were young so wasn't sure what I would think of this experience.
So these are my findings:
Clearly signed paths ensuring all exhibits are seen. 3.2 miles of paths with some slight gradients but very accessible. Could wheelchairs be hired as we didn't expect the zoo to be so big?
Animals in very clean environment. No old food scraps or piles of poo around. Where glass is used to screen it is kept clean so that you can take photos. Few cages.
Only one cafe open ( towards the start of the path) with smaller outlets closed. Some drinks vending machines around but again towards the start. Could do with something towards the end when tiredness sets in.
Plenty of benches to stop and rest. Plenty of toilets en route.
Flamingo colony very smelly.
Very detailed guide book, in English, describes the animals and their natural environments.
Many endangered species shown.
Some animals showed signs of boredom (elephant and large cats). Maybe could do with creating some enrichment or interesting things for the animals to replicate their natural lives.
Advert said average visit four hours, but we we there for six and had to rush the last bit before close. Everything shuts and animals start to go to bed about one hour before close.
Plenty of car parking with space for picnics - but outside of the gate so not sure what arrangements are made for 'pass outs'
Overall, we loved it, well worth the €17 entry fee. (€13 for 3-12years)
10. Office de Tourisme de Saint-Georges-de-Didonne
Overall Ratings
4 based on 57 reviews
Reviewed By Michael O - Lichfield, United Kingdom
Seemed rather comatose but it was very hot. There are a lot of brochures but the staff were not very proactive perhaps they found that difficult!
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