Between beaches, cliffs, caves and forest, the former fishing village has become a seaside resort while retaining its charm.
Its beaches, five in number, await bathers that the Michelais still sometimes nickname with humor and affection “baignassous”.
Its limestone cliffs overlook the estuary, guardians of a memory of a hundred million years. Dug by nature and then fitted out by men, they still shelter a few troglodytes today. If these dwellings are for the most part private, you can discover some of them by visiting the caves of Regulus or Matata.
A natural setting Meschers-sur-Gironde is divided between forests (pine forests), “champagnes” (melons, vines and cereals), and marshes with an incredible ecosystem.
The temperate oceanic climate of the Aquitaine type offers our municipality average sunshine comparable to part of the Mediterranean coast.
The small fishing port was transformed between the 19th and 20th centuries into a marina where all modern facilities are available to boaters.
From the town, we invite you to take a walk through a few alleys, towards the port, along the cornice and thus allow you to appreciate the particular atmosphere of our town.
We wish you a good Detours in Meschers!
Route details
Opening
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On the course…
Les Grottes de Matata
Les Grottes du Régulus
Conche de Cadet
Office de Tourisme Meschers-sur-Gironde
Your itinerary
Step 1: DEPARTURE
Rue Paul Massy – Place in front of the tourist office.
Go down Rue du Sablon, Rue de l'Église then Allée des Acacias to Boulevard de la Falaise.
Step 2: The caves (troglodytic habitats)
The origin of the name of the Matata caves still remains a mystery today. According to legend, the page of a prince, suspected of his murder, hides in the caves where he lives as a hermit. One day, he was discovered by a resident of Meschers who asked him his name. Having lost his head, he responds “Matuta” (as in the Latin poem praising the beauties of the dawn). By distortion, the name became “Matata”.
For the Régulus caves, the origin of the name is much better attested. In 1814, the French ship “Régulus” scuttled itself in front of the cliffs so as not to fall into the hands of English enemies.
We continue along Boulevard de la Corniche.
Step 3: Cadet's conche
La conche de Cadet is the most secret beach in Meschers. It owes its name to Cadet the wrecker. Legend has it that he deceived ships on stormy nights using his goat. This one carried a lantern hanging on one of its horns. It thus attracted sailors to the reefs who crashed into the rocks. The next day, Cadet and Belin, his goat, went to the beach and collected the treasures.
We arrive at Nonnes beach. Go back up the street of the same name to find Rue Paul Massy.
Step 4: The Protestant temple
During the Wars of Religion, the Protestants of Meschers, whose first temple was burned, had the habit of meeting in caves. A first temple was built after the Edict of Nantes on the edge of the path which leads from the town to the port. The current temple was built from 1, in a rigorous style and raised on a podium.
Return to the tourist office.