Spring tides in Royan, Charente-Maritime

Located on the Atlantic coast, the Royan Atlantique region lives to the rhythm of the tides. The water level rises and falls continuously. When on holiday in Charente-Maritime, it's not uncommon to wonder what time high tide is so you can go for a swim! We'll tell you all about this phenomenon and where to observe the spring tides.

What is the tide?

Every day the ocean comes and goes every 6 hours. It is the phenomenon of tideThis variation in sea level is due to the positions of the Moon and the Sun, as well as gravitational forces on the Earth. Added to this is the Earth's rotation on its axis, its revolution around the Sun, and the Moon's rotation around the Earth. Thus, the water moves on the rotating Earth, which shifts the tides relative to the positions of the celestial bodies. There is generally 2 full cycles per day : 2 high tides and 2 low tides, more or less important according to their coefficients.

thierry avan

Spring tides at L'Éguille

During high tides, the water almost completely covers the clear marshes of the Seudre.

When are the high tides?

The amplitude of the tide is therefore conditioned by the position of the celestial bodies (Moon and Sun) in relation to the Earth.

During full moons and new moonsThe Earth, the Moon, and the Sun are aligned on the same axis. The gravitational forces of the Moon and the Sun combine and the tides are strongerWe speak of "spring waters" (coefficients between 80 and 120).
Conversely, during the first and last quarters of the moon, the celestial bodies form a right angle, the attraction is weaker, and the tides are lower. These are known as "neap tides" (tidal coefficients between 20 and 70).

Because the Moon's gravitational pull is the strongest, we observe tides with the highest coefficients. during the new moonsAround a coefficient of 100, we speak of "spring tides"To know when the high tides in Royan, just consult the tide schedule.

Where to see the high tides?

To admire the waves breaking on the coast, we offer a selection of the best observation spots:

at the foot of the Coubre lighthouse in La Tremblade
on the Douaniers trail, at the Puits de l'Auture and at the Pont du Diable in Saint-Palais-sur-Mer
the Chay promenade in Royan
Vallières point, near the Saint-Georges-de-Didonne lighthouse
on the Caillaud cliff in the Gironde estuary

High tides at the Vallières lighthouse — The tip of Vallières Spring tides at the Vallières lighthouse, © Thierry Avan

High tides at Devil's Bridge — The tip of Vallières Spring tides at the Vallières lighthouse, © Thierry Avan

To also contemplate panoramas enhanced by the effect of high tide, we recommend:

the channels of the Seudre at Mornac
the Pointe de L'Éguille
the bay of Talmont-sur-Gironde

Bonne Anse Bay in La Palmyre also surprises you at low tide, revealing its immense expanse of sand and marshland...

high-tide-bonne-anse-la-palmyre — High tide, Bonne Anse, La Palmyre, © Thierry Avan

So, whether you are an amateur photographer or a simple walker, you do not venture out alone and you remain careful. To make the most of the spring tides, plan your stay. THE autumn holidays and the winter vacation are ideal times: few people and wild nature. We are thinking of reserving in advance a Hotel or an vacation location in Royan and the surrounding area.