To the south of Royan, Saint-Georges-de-Didonne is a family seaside resort. On the right bank, at the mouth of the Gironde, the city lives to the rhythm of the estuary. At the gates of the Atlantic, the forest of maritime pines and holm oaks surrounds Saint-Georges. Discover this town where village spirit and seaside resort form a beautiful harmony.
A favorable coastline
to activities
We enter the maze of narrow streets of the city center where seaside villas and typical Charente houses rub shoulders. After a detour to the market halls, we finally meet for a drink on the church square. In summer, Saint-Georges-de-Didonne comes alive: concerts, children's shows, night markets and the Humor and Salt Water Festival. This event, classified as Sites en Scène, notably offers a week of shows, participatory workshops and major potacheries.
Close to the city center, the big beach of Saint-Georges-de-Didonne extends for almost 3 km. A must-see place for family holidays in Charente-Maritime, enjoy the fine sand and taste the pleasures of swimming. Beyond relaxing, the Grande Plage is also a real open-air playground.
Activities at sea and on land
Try your hand at water sports, they have made the reputation of Saint-Georges-de-Didonne, an important place for the practice of yachting In France. Since 1961, the Nautical base of Saint-Georges Voiles slides its boats at low tide on the Grande Plage. On the beach of Vallières, Char Latitude also offers the discovery of sand yachting and stand-up paddle. Lovers of thrills, why not try out more contemporary sports such as hoverboarding, jet-skiing or even speed-sailing.
You don't have sea legs? Do not panic ! The seaside resort offers a multitude of activities: a bike ride on the cycle path, part of the 2 Seas Canal®, which runs along the main beach, or even a rosalie trip with friends or family on the Saint-Georgeais seafront. Prefer to stay down to earth? So opt for a walk towards the port on the Charles Martel promenade. From there, you can enjoy an unmissable view of the Vallières lighthouse and Port of Saint-Georges-de-Didonne.
Vallières lighthouse
and the port of Saint-Georges-de-Didonne
From the top of its 25 meters, Vallières lighthouse is the essential building of the station. In the XNUMXth century, the lighthouse also served as a landmark for Gironde pilots to enter the estuary. Since 2004, it belongs to the municipality of Saint-Georges-de-Didonne, and since 2012 is classified as an historic monument. The building can be visited, moreover, every day between June and September.
At the foot of the Vallières lighthouse, the small marina of Saint-Georges-de-Didonne overlooks the mouth of the Gironde estuary. A former fishing and trading port, it was completely refurbished in the XNUMXth century with the arrival of the pilots. Indeed, the poor state of the port of Royan and the silting up of the old port of Saint-Palais-sur-Mer posed difficulties for them. The port of Saint-Georges thus served as pilot station for boaters, these guides who helped the sailors to circulate in the estuary.
A haven of nature and history: Suzac
True green lung of the Saint-Georgeaise coast, the Suzac forest massif offers a network of trails in the heart of the pine forest. Spread over more than 350 hectares, the forest is one of the protected areas of the country of Royan. Property of the Conservatoire du littoral, discover this natural site while respecting the spirit of the place.
In the forest of Suzac, Estuary Park welcomes you for a fun and educational immersion on the fauna and flora of the Gironde estuary. Site of the Charente Maritime Nature Escapes network, the park is made up of several areas for visits and discovery trails. There Watchtower is the showcase of the Parc de l'Estuaire. Climb to an altitude of 55 m and enjoy an exceptional 360° panorama over the estuary and the extent of the Suzac forest massif. At the end of the visit, you can also take advantage of the panoramic terrace of the café transat which offers one of the most beautiful views of the Gironde estuary.
Suzac Point
Want to see more about this estuarine ecosystem? Direction the tip of Suzac!
On the way, a small beach is revealed, that of Concheau from Suzac. Far from the urban bustle, this wild and preserved space is perfect for lovers of nature and authenticity. Between beaches and forest, the rocky outcrop that is the Pointe de Suzac is a veritable belvedere over the Gironde estuary. Take advantage of the view of the large beach of Saint-Georges-de-Didonne on the one hand and on the other hand of the beach of Suzac, a beach in the neighboring town of Meschers-sur-Gironde, which it is possible to reach it by taking the coastal path.
La Point of Suzac is an opportune place to awaken one's senses. Smell, listen and contemplate the jewels of estuarine fauna and flora, where blackcaps, celestial azures, blue tits, black swifts and dune carnations, Pyrenean bugloss, thyme, everlasting dunes, samphire...
We also find on the Pointe de Suzac the presence of military remains in several places and from several eras mixing Napoleonic fort of the XNUMXth century and german blockhouses of the Second World War nestled on the side of the cliff.
As Odilon Redon said: “Saint-Georges, a delightful little village with its intimate beach, is always peaceful and family friendly”.
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