The best walks and hikes around Vaux-Sur-Mer

The carrelets are today part of the emblematic images of Royan and the Côte de Beauté. However, contrary to what the current landscape might suggest, the large pontoons with huts are relatively recent. A much older fishing The word carrelet originally designates the square net used for very simple fishing. Fishing with a carrelet has been attested in the region since at least the 18th century. At that time, these were not yet the elegant huts on stilts that we know today. The fisherman used a square frame with a net, which he lowered into the water and then quickly pulled up. This fishing was particularly practiced by women and could provide a dietary supplement. The turning point of 1900: the birth of the pontoons It was around 1900 that the carrelet began to change its nature. With the development of sea bathing and seaside tourism in Royan, fixed structures appeared on the quays, rocks, and cliffs. In Royan, they can be found in particular on the rocks of Pigeonnier and at Pontaillac. Initially, they were essentially simple masts equipped with a winch. The users were often merchants, liberal professions, retirees, or wealthy owners rather than professional fishermen. A particularly interesting old photograph shows the conche de Pontaillac in 1918, with fishing installations. The carrelets become leisure spots Between the two wars, and especially after 1945, the carrelets multiplied. The generalization of paid holidays, the increase in free time, and the development of popular holidays favored their transformation into real small holiday resorts. The installations gradually became more substantial: cliff → footbridge → pontoon → hut → mast and winch → square net Owners often built their own installations with wood or salvaged materials. In the 1950s, this practice experienced a real boom around Royan. Why are there so many carrelets around Royan? The relief of the Côte de Beauté is particularly well-suited for this. They can be found in particular: * in Royan, at the Pointe du Chay, at Pigeonnier and at Pontaillac; * in Vaux-sur-Mer, particularly towards the conche de Gilet; * in Saint-Palais-sur-Mer, along the headlands of Terre-Nègre and Perrières, towards the Pont du Diable and the Concié; * in Saint-Georges-de-Didonne, particularly towards Suzac; * in Meschers-sur-Gironde, along the cliffs and coves. The carrelet is indeed identified today as a viewpoint in Royan. The 1999 storm: a catastrophe The carrelets are extremely vulnerable to storms. The storms of 1996 and especially 1999 destroyed a very large part of the installations in Charente-Maritime. On the coasts of Aunis and Saintonge, nearly 90% of the approximately 700 carrelets had been destroyed during the January 2000 storm. They were then gradually rebuilt, with the help of owners and public schemes. Today: a heritage of Royan The carrelet is therefore not just a fishing equipment. It has become an element of the maritime and landscape heritage of Royan. The Musée du patrimoine du Pays Royannais classifies it as 20th-century maritime heritage and points out that the current installations are essentially the result of the development of this practice in the 20th century. An interesting historical point: the carrelets that we spontaneously associate with Royan today are therefore mainly the result of the evolution of seaside tourism after 1900 and their extraordinary development after 1945, and not the intact survival of a very old tradition of fishing huts.

Built from 1955 and consecrated in 1958, the Notre-Dame de Royan church symbolizes the city standing tall and proud again. The reinforced concrete monument thus fits into the general trend of renewal in sacred art after the sad events the world experienced in the 1940s. It is considered today as a feat and a masterpiece of modern architecture. "Upon entering this concrete cathedral, be silent. Here, everything is momentum, rigor, roughness, austere beauty. The twilight sings the elusive, the divine, variable and constant like the sea." ANDRÉ MALRAUX Minister of Cultural Affairs (1958-1969)

📍 Origins and Beginnings The tradition of games and entertainment in Pontaillac dates back to the late 19th century, with gambling clubs such as the Kursaal (around 1880) and the Otrada (1892). These establishments preceded the current casino and catered to a seaside and aristocratic clientele; they combined games, cafes, and entertainment on the beach. In 1902, La Restauration was built in Pontaillac, on the site of various games and entertainment venues. It served as a cafe-restaurant but also attracted gambling enthusiasts, such as horse racing. 🎲 Construction of the Sporting/Casino (1930s) In the 1930s, La Restauration was replaced by a new building called the Sporting, designed by the architect Auguste Bluysen, a specialist in modern casinos of the time. Built of concrete on stilts directly on Pontaillac beach, the building features a rationalist and Art Deco architecture typical of the interwar period, sometimes surprising with its style reminiscent of the 1950s. 🪖 World War II During World War II, the Sporting remained open, primarily serving German soldiers. During the massive bombings of 1945, which destroyed much of Royan, the Pontaillac casino was one of the few to survive, as it was virtually untouched by the raids. 🎭 Post-War and Golden Age After the war, the casino became a central hub of Royan's social life. It reopened in 1948, and the 1950s and 60s constituted a cultural golden age, with a rich program of shows, concerts, dances, and galas. Under the leadership of its "musician-director" Roger Genty, major French and international stars performed on its stage: Josephine Baker, Jacques Brel, Sacha Distel, Georges Brassens, Fernand Raynaud, Henri Salvador, and others. 🎰 Contemporary Era In 1986, the casino was acquired by the Lucien Barrière group, which expanded its operations by modernizing the gaming areas, adding slot machines, a bar, restaurants, and other services, while maintaining its role as a year-round entertainment hub. Today, the Casino Barrière in Royan-Pontaillac is the only casino still operating in the Royan area, bearing witness to more than a century of seaside history, gaming, and entertainment.

📍 General Presentation The Notre-Dame-des-Anges Chapel is an atypical neo-Gothic gem, blending medieval influences with oriental touches, rich in works of art and local history. Spared by wars, it stands today as a living testament to the faith and artistic creativity of its construction period, as well as a major element of Royan's religious heritage. The Notre-Dame-des-Anges Chapel is a Catholic place of worship located at 33 Avenue de Paris in Royan (Charente-Maritime). 🏛️ Origins and Historical Context Construction: The chapel was built between 1891 and 1892 at the instigation of local parishioners and neighborhood developers, after several setbacks related to plans to create a place of worship in Pontaillac. Social Role: It replaced an older, small chapel that quickly became too cramped for a growing population. Survival of the bombings: Unlike many buildings in Royan destroyed during the Second World War, the chapel was spared by Allied bombing, thus preserving its almost original state (except for the stained-glass windows). 🧱 Exterior Architecture The chapel is a fine example of the Neo-Gothic style, very popular at the end of the 19th century, but enriched with original touches: Main façade: Constructed of dressed stone, divided into registers that blend Gothic and Romanesque influences, with a pointed arch portal flanked by blind arcades and surmounted by a radiating Gothic rose window. Colorful decoration: On the side walls, a ceramic frieze inspired by Hispano-Andalusian art provides a vibrant decorative touch that contrasts with the stone. Materials: Limestone, dressed stone, and rendered rubble masonry were used, along with a slate roof. ⛪ Interior Architecture The chapel's interior is both simple and richly decorated: Single Nave: It unfolds in seven rectangular bays, illuminated by side windows and trefoil oculi that provide soft, reflective light. Stained Glass Windows: A major stained glass window, created in 1949 by master glassmaker Francis Gigot, depicts the Virgin and Child surrounded by angels, symbolizing the protection of the Holy Spirit. Choir Decoration: The walls are adorned with colorful frescoes of angels, painted in 1897 by Léon Millet, which bring a vibrant artistic dimension to the sacred space. Vaults and Floor: The nave is covered by a dark panelled vault, contrasting with the light-colored flagstone floor. 🖼️ Furnishings and Works of Art The interior houses several remarkable features: Main Altar: In the Art Deco style, centered on a cross-shaped tabernacle engraved with the IHS monogram. Sacred Statues: Various statues, including a Virgin and Child, a Saint Joseph (a work by the sculptor Victor Bariller around 1892), as well as figures of saints such as Saint Expeditus and Saint Joan of Arc. Confessional and Gallery: A neo-Gothic pitch pine confessional (1895) and an openwork wooden gallery supporting the organ case complete the decor. 🌿 Significance and Use Today The chapel continues to serve as an active place of worship, integrated into the Notre-Dame-L’Assomption pastoral sector of the Royan deanery. It also remains a heritage testament to the religious and architectural history of late 19th-century Royan, attracting worshippers, visitors, and lovers of sacred art.

📍 Location Dr. Guillon's bathtubs are located along the Boulevard de la Côte d’Argent / Corniche de Pontaillac (between Royan and Vaux-sur-Mer), carved into the rocks of the Pontaillac cove facing the sea. They are still visible today, especially at low tide. 👨‍⚕️ Origin and Historical Context 📜 Dr. Frédéric-Auguste Guillon Frédéric-Auguste Guillon (1808-1890) was a physician, former naval surgeon, then a local councilor and practicing doctor in Royan. He contributed to the development of seawater therapy and thalassotherapy (treatments using seawater) on the Atlantic coast in the 19th century, a time when sea bathing was prescribed for health reasons. 🏖️ Construction of the "Bathtubs" In 1872, Dr. Guillon had a series of pools and bathtubs carved directly into the rocks of Bec des Brandes in Pontaillac. These pools were filled with seawater heated by the sun between tides. The aim was to offer natural therapeutic baths, particularly for treating scrofula, a chronic lymphatic and skin condition common at the time. 🛁 Description of the Facilities The facilities included: A large natural pool carved into the rock, Two large pools, Three individual bathtubs carved into the cliff face, which were filled with seawater at each tide. These structures provided access to seawater baths without having to directly face the currents or the depths of the ocean – a hygienic and medical approach ahead of its time. 🩺 Therapeutic Purpose At the time: Sea bathing was considered beneficial to health, improving circulation, treating chronic infections, and promoting overall well-being. Dr. Guillon's baths constituted an early form of thalassotherapy, combining the effects of seawater, sea air, and sunlight. 🌊 Heritage and Current Visibility Although the facilities are no longer used as treatment centers, the baths remain visible today on the rocks of Pontaillac, particularly at low tide. A tourist information panel installed by the city of Royan explains their origin and historical significance.

📍 Introducing the Gilet Cove The Gilet Cove is a small, natural beach on the oceanfront, located on Boulevard de la Conche de Gilet / Boulevard de la Falaise, in the town of Vaux-sur-Mer, just before Royan. 🌿 It's a sheltered, rocky cove, appreciated for its tranquility and more intimate setting compared to the larger urban beaches nearby. 🏖️ At high tide, the sea can completely cover this small beach, making the space very limited; at low tide, you can enjoy a patch of sand and rocks for relaxing or swimming. 🧭 Features & Tips 📍 Type of place: small, unsupervised beach, nestled among the rocks with sand and cliffs. 🏖️ Tides: access is best at low tide — at high tide the beach can disappear underwater. 🐶 Animals: prohibited from April 1st to September 30th (subject to municipal regulations). 👣 Access: via stairs from the boulevard above, surrounded by villas with sea views. 🚫 Lifeguard services: no lifeguard station or marked services. 📍 Location La Conche de Gilet is often considered the last small beach in Vaux-sur-Mer before reaching Royan/Pontaillac when following the coastline from Saint-Palais-sur-Mer.

🏖️ General Overview Chay Beach is a family-friendly, fine sandy beach located in Royan (Charente-Maritime), on the Côte d’Argent promenade between Pigeonnier Beach and Pointe du Chay. It stretches for approximately 200 meters and boasts a pleasant natural setting, with a cove bordered by rocks typical of the Charente coastline. 🏝️ Features • 🌊 Beach type: fine sand, sheltered cove. • 🏄‍♂️ Atmosphere: relatively calm and family-friendly, ideal for children and vacationers seeking relaxation away from the large urban beaches. • 🐾 Pets: prohibited from April 1st to September 30th. • 🫧 Water quality: excellent (Blue Flag label awarded for 2025). 🧭 Lifeguard and Safety • Swimming is supervised during the season (June to early September), with areas marked by red and yellow flags. • The area is classified as a Category 3 "Supervised Beach" and lifeguards are present during the indicated hours. 🪑 Amenities On-site, you can find: • 🏖️ Sun loungers, parasols, and mattresses for rent. • 🚿 Foot rinse and public restrooms. • 📶 Wi-Fi access, first aid station, and an area accessible to people with reduced mobility (assistance may be required depending on the slope). • 🍴 Beachfront restaurant ("Le Chay" bar-restaurant with sea views). 🚶‍♂️ Atmosphere and Activities • 🎈 Ideal for families and leisurely strolls. • 🌞 People come here for swimming, playing on the sand, flying kites, or simply relaxing by the ocean. • 🅿️ Parking is available nearby, and the beach is easily accessible on foot or by bike from Royan town center in just a few minutes. 🧭 Practical Tips • 📆 Best time to visit: summer for supervised swimming and full services, but also during the off-season for a more peaceful atmosphere. • ☀️ Arriving early in the morning makes parking easier during peak season. • 🐶 Dogs are not allowed during the summer season; check the signs on site during the off-season.

It's worth a look!