La Palmyre is a family-friendly resort fringed by several kilometres of golden-sand beaches. Bask in the sunshine and swim in the calm waters of Bonne-Anse Bay. Off the beach, you can hike in sun-dappled pine forests and visit one of the top zoos in France.
Things to do in La Palmyre
Plage de la Palmyre enjoys a sheltered setting on Bonne-Anse Bay and is a great place to swim, sunbathe and build sandcastles. Stroll along the waterfront promenade to Plage des Pins de Cordouan, an uncrowded beach framed by towering pines. Further south is clothing-optional Plage Naturiste de la Lède, a great place to get rid of tan lines.
A cascading waterfall welcomes you to Zoo La Palmyre. Inside you can meet exotic animals from around the world, from Asian elephants and African lions to Canadian timber wolves and American bison. Learn about the zoo’s excellent conservation programs, which champion endangered species like orangutans and mountain gorillas. The zoo is also home to majestic apex predators like polar bears.
From sidewalk cafes to chic bistros, there are lots of places to eat in La Palmyre. Order specialties from the Charente-Maritime department like mussels steamed with pine needles and Marenne-Oléron oysters served with lemon wedges. Indulge in skillet-baked Galette Charentaise for dessert. Another specialty, the cake is flavoured with lemon zest, vanilla and a unique local herb called angelica.
Getting around La Palmyre
La Palmyre is compact and easy to get around on foot. Walk from the town centre to the beach in 15 minutes. La Palmyre is in the Charente-Maritime department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, a one-hour drive from La Rochelle and three hours from Nantes. Trains run between La Rochelle and Royan in two hours. From here, it’s a 25-minute drive to La Palmyre.