Royan – Day 5
Take advantage of a sunny, clear day to go and see what’s on the other side of the Gironde Estuary, starting by crossing the mouth.
Royan-Le Verdon ferry
To get to the other side of the mouth of the river you will need to take the ferry from the Port of Royan; you can either take the car or leave it at the port and walk or cycle there. This maritime journey takes about thirty minutes and will allow you to have a remarkable view of Royan, its large beach and the Cordouan lighthouse.
Le Verdon sur Mer
Now that the crossing is over, you have arrived at the Pointe de Grave in Le Verdon-sur-Mer and more precisely at the Port Bloc. For the record, it is said that the small fishing and leisure port of Port Bloc takes its name from the blocks of stone brought in by barges for work on the coast from 1850. Take some time out to visit the 28 metre high Pointe de Grave lighthouse built in 1859. At the foot of the lighthouse you will also find the Cordouan Lighthouse and Lighthouse and Beacon Museum. If you feel like swimming, go to the Saint Nicolas beach (supervised beach).
Small tourist train linking Soulac sur Mer
Why not venture a little further in the direction of Soulac-sur-Mer. Through the forest and the dunes you can cycle or walk the 7 km on the cycle paths or take the little tourist train which will cover this distance for you in about 20 minutes.
Soulac sur Mer
You have arrived at Soulac-sur-Mer on the Place d’Arros, to reach this charming seaside resort you can follow the cycle track or go to the sea and follow the coast. In passing you will discover the little sister of the famous Statue of Liberty. It was purchased in 1980 by the municipality to commemorate the embarkation of La Fayette to the Americas. As soon as you arrive in Soulac-sur-Mer you will be won over by its architectural charm of the Belle Epoque villas, its small pedestrian streets and its 7km of beaches facing the ocean.
Be careful with your return schedule, you don’t want to miss the last train and ferry schedule, otherwise you’ll have to wait until the next day or go up and down the estuary.
