On the northwestern outskirts of Royan, Saint-Palais-sur-Mer is an attractive coastal town in France’s Charente-Maritime region. It is fringed by lively beaches lapped by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and backed by the sprawling forest of Saint-Augustin-les-Mathes.
Things to do in Saint-Palais-sur-Mer
In the heart of Saint-Palais-sur-Mer is the Plage du Bureau, a picturesque crescent of sand within a rocky cove. Overlooking the beach are a handful of restaurants where you can dine throughout the day, including Chez Bob and Le Nausicaa. A short stroll from Plage de Bureau is Maison Des Douanes, which houses rotating art exhibitions.
On the rocky headland to the north of Plage du Bureau is the “Devil’s Bridge”, a natural limestone formation that is associated with a medieval legend. It is said that a fisherman wrecked on the reef sold his soul to the devil in exchange for saving his life and this stone bridge was built to help him return to dry land.
Saint-Palais-sur-Mer is an ideal base for exploring the seaside resort of Royan, which is clustered with Belle Epoque villas and landmarks dating from the post-war era. Marvel at the striking, concrete-built Church of Our Lady of Royan and browse the cultural and historical exhibits of the Royan Museum. Offshore lies the Tour de Cordouan, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed lighthouse that is considered a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture.
Getting around Saint-Palais-sur-Mer
Saint-Palais-sur-Mer is around 10 minutes’ drive from the centre of Royan and just over an hour from La Rochelle. La Rochelle – Île de Re Airport is also an hour away and has seasonal flights to destinations across Europe. Buses travel to Saint-Palais-sur-Mer and the town centre can easily be explored on foot.