Musée de Royan
The Royan Museum is located in the old market of Pontaillac in the heart of a historic district of Royan. Its collections are presented according to a route allowing the discovery of the rich past of the city of Royan.
At the heart of the history of a seaside town,
The building is located in the old Pontaillac market in the heart of a historic district of Royan.
The Museum proposes to retrace the history of Royan through this common thread according to the following themes:
– From the origins to the Empire:
The origins of Royan, between Gironde and Ocean, from the first human occupations, the emergence of a city from Antiquity, the siege of Royan in 1622 and its first destruction during the Wars of Religion until the Revolution.
– Estuary: dangers and guardian angels
The Cordouan Lighthouse, candidate for UNESCO world heritage, the oldest lighthouse in France still in operation, the main stages of its construction, its saving, prestigious, strategic and tourist role.
The story of the Gironde pilots, a social elite guiding ships through the dangers of the estuary.
- Sea baths:
The development of seaside tourism in the 19th century. The birth of the seaside resort from its fishing port, the emergence of Royan, “Pearl of the Ocean” which extends from Pontaillac to the Park. Posters, souvenir items and period photographs bear witness to the city's influence.
– Pablo Picasso’s stay in Royan
From 1939 to 1940, around the reproduction of the Café in Royan, presentation of the artist's environment, during the war and the beginnings of the German Occupation.
– The Second World War in Royan
The war years, the Occupation, the Resistance, the “Royan Pocket”, the tragic bombings of 1945 and the Liberation.
– The modern city
The resort at its peak: the dolce vita of the Trente Glorieuses. The birth of the International Contemporary Art Festival and the emergence of a group of regional artists “Expo 5”.
-Behind the scenes of the Museum
At the origin of the collections, the Cabinet of Curiosities and the history of the Royan Museum.
Series of rare, unusual or exotic objects…
The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions presented in the central hall of the Museum.
The building is located in the old Pontaillac market in the heart of a historic district of Royan.
The Museum proposes to retrace the history of Royan through this common thread according to the following themes:
– From the origins to the Empire:
The origins of Royan, between Gironde and Ocean, from the first human occupations, the emergence of a city from Antiquity, the siege of Royan in 1622 and its first destruction during the Wars of Religion until the Revolution.
– Estuary: dangers and guardian angels
The Cordouan Lighthouse, candidate for UNESCO world heritage, the oldest lighthouse in France still in operation, the main stages of its construction, its saving, prestigious, strategic and tourist role.
The story of the Gironde pilots, a social elite guiding ships through the dangers of the estuary.
- Sea baths:
The development of seaside tourism in the 19th century. The birth of the seaside resort from its fishing port, the emergence of Royan, “Pearl of the Ocean” which extends from Pontaillac to the Park. Posters, souvenir items and period photographs bear witness to the city's influence.
– Pablo Picasso’s stay in Royan
From 1939 to 1940, around the reproduction of the Café in Royan, presentation of the artist's environment, during the war and the beginnings of the German Occupation.
– The Second World War in Royan
The war years, the Occupation, the Resistance, the “Royan Pocket”, the tragic bombings of 1945 and the Liberation.
– The modern city
The resort at its peak: the dolce vita of the Trente Glorieuses. The birth of the International Contemporary Art Festival and the emergence of a group of regional artists “Expo 5”.
-Behind the scenes of the Museum
At the origin of the collections, the Cabinet of Curiosities and the history of the Royan Museum.
Series of rare, unusual or exotic objects…
The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions presented in the central hall of the Museum.
Activities on site
- Manual workshops
- Temporary exhibitions
Rankings & Labels
- Family plus
- Indoor
- Treasures of the Charentes
Themes:
Customers
- School groups welcome
- Special rate for disabled people
- Groups welcome
- Special children
- Business / incentive groups welcome
- Special rate for students
Language(s) of the visit
Individual visit services
- Unguided individual tours permanently
Opening
From 01/01 to 29/06/2025, every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Exceptional closures on January 1 and May 1.
Open Wednesday to Friday from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.
Open Saturday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.
From 30/06 to 31/08/2025, every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 14:30 p.m. to 18:30 p.m.
From 01/09 to 31/12/2025, every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Exceptional closure on December 25.
Open Wednesday to Friday from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.
Open Saturday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.
Exceptional closures on January 1 and May 1.
Open Wednesday to Friday from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.
Open Saturday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.
From 30/06 to 31/08/2025, every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 14:30 p.m. to 18:30 p.m.
From 01/09 to 31/12/2025, every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Exceptional closure on December 25.
Open Wednesday to Friday from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.
Open Saturday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.
Exceptional Closure(s)
- 01/01/2025
- 01/05/2025
- 25/12/2025
Pricing
| Pricing | Min. | Max. |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 4,20 € | Not disclosed |
| Reduced price | 2,10 € | Not disclosed |
| Adult group | 121 € | Not disclosed |
Payment method
Services
Equipment
Services
Home animals
Accessibility
SERVICES
- Adapted services for hearing loss
- Adapted benefits for mental impairment
- WC + grab bar + circulation space
- Site, building fully accessible
- Visual alarm with light flash
- Magnetic buckle available at reception
- Visitor support devices
LABELS
- Tourism and Handicap brand - hearing impairment
- Tourism and Handicap brand - mental disability
- Tourism and Handicap brand - motor impairment
- Tourism and Handicap brand - visual impairment
Physical disability
Entirely on one level, this museum is accessible to people with reduced mobility. It has a parking space near the entrance, as well as adapted sanitary facilities.
Mental handicap
A service and educational workshops allow the organization of adapted visits (schoolchildren, people suffering from a mental deficiency).
From 4,20 € / adult