RoutesHiking trails & RoutesFranceNew AquitaineRochefortRoyan
Royan Church – Foncillon Cove loop from Royan
RoutesHiking trails & RoutesFranceNew AquitaineRochefortRoyan
Royan Church – Foncillon Cove loop from Royan
Easy
45
hikers
Royan Church – Foncillon Cove loop from Royan
01:17
4.89km
40m
Hiking
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: June 18, 2026
Waypoints
A
Start point
Bus stop
Get Directions
1
1.77 km
Notre-Dame Church, Royan
Highlight • Religious Site
Completed in 1958 in response to the mayor of the time who wanted the architect Guillaume Gillet to use his church to revive the city of Royan, which had been laid low by the bombings of 1945, Notre-Dame, the concrete cathedral as André Malraux had called it, has just had a makeover. The operation, broken down into five phases of work, was spread over a period of three and a half years, the restoration of the west façade, the canopy, the roofs of the north and south aisles, the terraces, the baptistery, the portico and the high altar.
It extends the restoration of the building which, since its construction, justified that interventions be carried out to ensure its nobility and sustainability.
In agreement with the services of the regional directorate of cultural affairs (DRAC), the canopy was notably completed by the addition of stained glass windows installed in the upper part in strict compliance with the three-dimensional design of the existing elements. The creation of the portal, replacing the temporary door, was also the subject of lengthy discussions between the architect, the regional conservation of historic monuments and Guillaume Gillet's beneficiaries. The project of a transparent glass airlock initially imagined was finally abandoned and made way for a magnificent monumental wooden door, closer to the sketches found in the archives of the original designer.
A cross, made up of an assembly of "V"s similar to those that allowed Bernard Lafaille to structure the church, also appeared on the initial building permit. However, it had never been implemented. Not planned as part of the construction site, its manufacture and installation in the upper part of the canopy were finally made possible thanks to the assistance of the Association for the Defense of the Church of Royan (ADER).
But, in addition to the historical interest of this operation, it is the decision to restore certain architectural elements that undoubtedly marks an important step in the conservation of concrete buildings inherited from the Modern and Reconstruction movements.
During the project management studies, a partnership with the Historical Monuments Research Laboratory (LRMH) made it possible to define the degree of alteration of the facings and structures, to determine the correct formulation of the leveling compounds and to specify the intervention protocols.
The church was classified as a Historic Monument in 1988.
It extends the restoration of the building which, since its construction, justified that interventions be carried out to ensure its nobility and sustainability.
In agreement with the services of the regional directorate of cultural affairs (DRAC), the canopy was notably completed by the addition of stained glass windows installed in the upper part in strict compliance with the three-dimensional design of the existing elements. The creation of the portal, replacing the temporary door, was also the subject of lengthy discussions between the architect, the regional conservation of historic monuments and Guillaume Gillet's beneficiaries. The project of a transparent glass airlock initially imagined was finally abandoned and made way for a magnificent monumental wooden door, closer to the sketches found in the archives of the original designer.
A cross, made up of an assembly of "V"s similar to those that allowed Bernard Lafaille to structure the church, also appeared on the initial building permit. However, it had never been implemented. Not planned as part of the construction site, its manufacture and installation in the upper part of the canopy were finally made possible thanks to the assistance of the Association for the Defense of the Church of Royan (ADER).
But, in addition to the historical interest of this operation, it is the decision to restore certain architectural elements that undoubtedly marks an important step in the conservation of concrete buildings inherited from the Modern and Reconstruction movements.
During the project management studies, a partnership with the Historical Monuments Research Laboratory (LRMH) made it possible to define the degree of alteration of the facings and structures, to determine the correct formulation of the leveling compounds and to specify the intervention protocols.
The church was classified as a Historic Monument in 1988.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
2
1.82 km
Royan Church
Highlight • Other
very impressive. the church is characterized by its concrete structure, a real feat of the engineers and architects in charge of the reconstruction of Royan after the bombings of 1945
Translated by Google •
Tip by
3
2.38 km
Market Hall
Highlight • Other
Beautiful market hall with a great selection of regional products. Closes around noon.
Showing Translation
Tip by
4
2.55 km
Royan Central Market
Highlight • Other
5
2.83 km
A boulevard representative of Ryan architecture
Highlight • Other
Frédéric Garnier is a famous man from Royan, who gave his name to the boulevard that runs along the Grande Conche beach.
Frédéric Garnier became mayor at the beginning of the Third Republic and remained so from 1871 to 1905. The development of Royan at that time was his work.
It was Frédéric Garnier who decided to build a promenade along the beach.
The Municipal Casino, built on the Grande Conche and inaugurated in 1895, was then the largest in France.
The name of Frédéric Garnier was given to the boulevard that runs along the beach from Royan to Saint-Georges-de-Didonne.
This part of Royan, east of the city center, was spared from the bombings of 1945.
A pedestrian promenade and a cycle path were built between the roadway and the beach.
This pleasant walk gives us a glimpse of what Royan was like during the Belle Epoque with the villas and castles built between 1890 and 1930 and which escaped the bombings.
Along the walk, we are surprised by the presence of a cubist-inspired villa, built after the war, next to a Belle Epoque villa, a symbolic image of the mixture of seaside architectural styles in Royan.
The villas and castles of varied styles and often original inspiration generally have in common the presence of a bell tower which overhangs the roofs.
The name of Emile Zola given to the avenue which leads from the boulevard Frédéric Garnier towards the inner part of the Parc district reminds us of the stays of Emile Zola from September 1886. He lived in villas, now disappeared, located on the current boulevard Frédéric Garnier.
Frédéric Garnier became mayor at the beginning of the Third Republic and remained so from 1871 to 1905. The development of Royan at that time was his work.
It was Frédéric Garnier who decided to build a promenade along the beach.
The Municipal Casino, built on the Grande Conche and inaugurated in 1895, was then the largest in France.
The name of Frédéric Garnier was given to the boulevard that runs along the beach from Royan to Saint-Georges-de-Didonne.
This part of Royan, east of the city center, was spared from the bombings of 1945.
A pedestrian promenade and a cycle path were built between the roadway and the beach.
This pleasant walk gives us a glimpse of what Royan was like during the Belle Epoque with the villas and castles built between 1890 and 1930 and which escaped the bombings.
Along the walk, we are surprised by the presence of a cubist-inspired villa, built after the war, next to a Belle Epoque villa, a symbolic image of the mixture of seaside architectural styles in Royan.
The villas and castles of varied styles and often original inspiration generally have in common the presence of a bell tower which overhangs the roofs.
The name of Emile Zola given to the avenue which leads from the boulevard Frédéric Garnier towards the inner part of the Parc district reminds us of the stays of Emile Zola from September 1886. He lived in villas, now disappeared, located on the current boulevard Frédéric Garnier.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
6
2.83 km
Galeries Botton
Highlight • Structure
The Botton Gallery appears to us at the Rond-Point de la Poste, on the left facing the Post Office. It is a shopping mall with sinuous lines. It was delivered in 1956.
It took over the function of the pre-war Botton Gallery, named after the engineer Botton who in 1847 had worked on the development of the seaside resort of the time.
It took over the function of the pre-war Botton Gallery, named after the engineer Botton who in 1847 had worked on the development of the seaside resort of the time.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
7
2.85 km
Royan's Red Square
Highlight • Other
The Place Charles-de-Gaulle that we know today is the result of major renovation and restructuring work carried out in 2015. The Brigade-RAC square, on the left of the square when looking towards the market, has been redeveloped with new plantings and is directly connected to the square.
The surface of the square has been renewed, new red concrete slabs, with a gray mesh, have been laid. Place Charles-de-Gaulle is often called "the red square" by the people of Royan.
Place Charles-de-Gaulle hosts throughout the year, the events and demonstrations that mark the lives of the people of Royan and vacationers.
At Place Charles de Gaulle, where Boulevard de la République and Rue Gambetta meet, Boulevard Briand leads to the Marché Central.
The surface of the square has been renewed, new red concrete slabs, with a gray mesh, have been laid. Place Charles-de-Gaulle is often called "the red square" by the people of Royan.
Place Charles-de-Gaulle hosts throughout the year, the events and demonstrations that mark the lives of the people of Royan and vacationers.
At Place Charles de Gaulle, where Boulevard de la République and Rue Gambetta meet, Boulevard Briand leads to the Marché Central.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
8
4.10 km
Foncillon Cove
Highlight • Other
B
4.89 km
End point
Bus stop
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
1.64 km
1.55 km
1.48 km
187 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
2.61 km
1.94 km
278 m
< 100 m
< 100 m
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Elevation
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Weather
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Monday 13 July
33°C
19°C
0 %
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Max wind speed: 15.0 km/h
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
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