Facing the Atlantic Ocean and surrounded by forests, Les Mathes-La Palmyre promises a vacation in the heart of unspoiled natural spaces. Famous for its zoo, the seaside resort of La Palmyre has developed just a few kilometers from the center of Les Mathes.
Les mathes-la Palmyre: a nature destination, between ocean and forest
With its 10 km of coastline, Les Mathes-La Palmyre offers a great variety of fine sandy beaches. Lined with maritime pines, a few steps from the city center, many Pins of Cordouan and La Palmyre beaches punctuate the life of the resort. These beaches have gradual depths and are supervised in summer, making them ideal for family swimming. Prepare games for the children, something to read, and choose your favorite beach to enjoy the cool water.
Accessible on foot, by bike and by stroller, the Promenade of the Two Lighthouses leads us from one beach to the other. By taking this dike, we have a breathtaking view of the ocean. Offshore, we can see the Cordouan lighthouse which sits at the mouth of the Gironde estuary. On the other side, a red and white lighthouse dominates Bonne Anse Bay. It is the Coubre lighthouse which marks the beginning of the Wild Coast, a vast expanse of 20 km in length. As its name suggests, its beaches have remained pristine and the waves are powerful. Facing directly on the Atlantic, Les Mathes-La Palmyre is also a paradise for board sports enthusiasts, thrill seekers, and swimming is immediately more invigorating!
Nestled in the 8 hectares of La Coubre forest massif, the resort invites us to stroll and enjoy leisure activities in the shade of the pine trees. The forest paths and cycle paths offer moments of change of scenery in the middle of nature.
Bonne Anse Bay,
station emblem
The bay of Bonne Anse is formed by a long strip of sand which stretches from the Coubre lighthouse and tends to close on the port of La PalmyreIt is in perpetual motion and changes its appearance according to the wind and the currents. Not to be missed: the panorama from the Coubre lighthouse when the tide goes out.
In the bay, several oyster farmers still carry out spat collection (the "baby" oysters) on collectors, in a natural way. This is one of the last areas in France where the reproduction of the oyster is done in this way (Charente-Maritime and the Arcachon basin are the only places).
From the Requin car park (located a little after the Siblu Bonne Anse Plage campsite), follow the path that runs inside the bay towards the lighthouse. The landscape changes with the tide. When it is low, trickles of water can be seen in the furrows dug in the sand, signs of constant humidity. Shortly after the Coubre lighthouse, two atmospheres clash: the tranquility of Bonne Anse on the one hand and the roar of the ocean waves on the other. The bravest will continue until the tip of the Rhine, end of the sand bank. Here, an impression of the end of the world invades you.
the nautical base of les mathes-la palmyre
At high tide, the bay of Bonne Anse becomes a mecca for the practice of nautical activities. Protected from the Atlantic swell thanks to its huge sandbank, the spot is ideal for learning to Sheer and one of the most renowned in the region for the kite surfing.
La La Palmyre Nautical Base offers windsurfing, catamaran or optimist courses for the little ones, stand-up paddleboarding outings or introductory sessions in wing foil (new trendy water sport in which you surf on a board equipped with a foil using an inflatable wing). Whatever your level and your desires, you're sure to find the activity that suits you. So, are you ready to try new gliding sensations in complete safety?
Family vacations
on a bike
Les Mathes-La Palmyre is also a popular resort for vacationers wishing to leave the car behind during their stay and favor soft modes of transport such as cycling. Here, nothing could be simpler. The cycle network takes us from the town centre of Les Mathes to the seaside resort, from the campsites to the beaches and to the La Palmyre Zoo. cycle paths are secure because they are separated from the road. They save us precious time when traveling in high season, especially when going to the famous La Palmyre market.
Let's borrow the Vélodyssée® and its 35 km of paved cycle paths, built on the former Water and Forests tramway, from La Tremblade to Saint-Palais-sur-Mer. A surf session at the Wild Coast? Swimming at Grande Côte beach in Saint-Palais? It's up to you.
With family or friends, this wide track presents no difficulty. The children are on a tricycle, making their first attempts without the small wheels while the youngest are well seated in the trailers. Nothing like a bicycle ride to let go.
A large choice of activities and outings for everyone
Impossible to wonder what to do in Les Mathes-La Palmyre ! It is a dynamic station. The activities offered are numerous. In a green setting, we do a horse riding, we play golf, then we try tree climbing... After the unmissable visit of the La Palmyre Zoo, we discover the world of horse racing at the Hippodrome.
In the evening, comes the time to stroll through the shops and on the La Palmyre night market then have a drink on the terrace. We take a walk on the Haven, to the sublime point, a perfect site to admire the sunset. To live moments rich in emotions, head to the Luna Park and its many attractions!
La Palmyre is also the scene of major cultural events. Pyrotechnics "At the Crossroads of Lighthouses" takes place on the seafront, between the port and Club Med, in early August. Music, poetry, sounds, lights and fireworks punctuate this grandiose spectacle. In early September, the new rock and electro music festival, the Palm Fest, brings the resort to life, attracting mainly young people from all walks of life. We also note the fabulous equestrian shows of the Zagal Cabaret throughout the year.
Our selection
Stay in les-mathes-la-palmyre
Explore
Other seaside and wild towns
