Our 5 favourites on the Atlantic Coast

1. Explore the destination by bike or on foot, by the sea or in the forest

Slow tourism is particularly developed along the Atlantic coast. The islands of Charente are known for their cycling facilities and have developed safe cycling paths. The long beaches are perfect for Nordic walking and there are numerous hiking and walking trails. There are also luggage transport services to make travelling easier.

La Vélodyssée® ‘s 10th anniversary

Quality, safety and sustainability are the key values of La Vélodyssée®, the French part of the Atlantic Coast Route (EV1). Having been awarded the title of "Itinéraire Vélo 2017**" for the quality and diversity of its route, the itinerary committee is already busy working on other improvements.

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The Basque Coastal Path: between sea and mountains

The Coastal Path offers over 15 km of magnificent panoramas, from Bidart to Socoa via Guéthary and Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Between the Pyrenees, beaches and cliffs, this is one of the loveliest ways to explore the Basque coast. It is an easy walk and can, of course, be divided into several shorter strolls.

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Other cycling trails

The Flow Vélo, from the Ile d'Aix to the Dordogne area, via the Charente estuary at Rochefort, where the Arsenal maritime and its royal rope factory are a must. The Tour du Bassin d'Arcachon has a cycling version (77 km) and a walking version (90 km), between salt marshes, fine sand and architectural gems.

2. Discover the ocean and heavenly lakes

Picture this: golden sand all along the coast, then rocks and cliffs for the Basque part; calm and translucent lakes with shady banks, and the invigorating waves of the ocean bordered by dunes; blooming mimosas, arbutus trees and the fragrant pine forest; historical sea monuments (Fort Boyard or Cordouan lighthouse for example)…
It is a paradise for water sports and leisure activities: sand yachting in Oléron or Mimizan, windsurfing in Hourtin, yoga paddling here and there... and relaxation everywhere! From Grande Conche beach in Royan to the Petite Chambre d'Amour beach in Anglet, as well as the Médoc shores and Les Landes lakes.

3. Unique food and wine experiences

A non-exhaustive list of emblematic products is presented on the Atlantic Coast destination’s assets page. To this list, we must add gastronomic specialities such as Mussel Eclade or Shad A la Bordelaise. Here are 3 tempting products:

Strolling among the oyster huts in Oléron

The best place to enjoy local seafood and sometimes fish. In Château d'Oléron, oyster farmers and craftsmen share pretty, colourful huts.

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Horseback-riding in the Médoc

A horse riding centre cleverly decided to join forces with various wine châteaux. This combines an educational approach (getting the ponies ready, enjoying a horse ride – beginners welcome) and an oenological approach during the wine tasting visit.

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A perfect day at the port of Capbreton

What makes this unique fishing port in Les Landes special is that there is no auction - the sailors sell their sea products directly. Soak up the atmosphere, sit down in one of the port's restaurants and enjoy your fresh fish with a glass of “sand wine” - a thousand-year-old rarity produced by Domaine Les Dunes de la Pointe. Why not end your experience with a trip out to sea?

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4. Accommodation under the stars for outdoor activities

The Atlantic coast is the European leader for open air hotels. The variety of the offer is accompanied by the quality of the services. Here are some remarkable suggestions.
38 campsites were identified during the sustainable tourism study. In addition to Le Rayonnement campsite in Rochefort, we must also mention La Brande campsite in Oléron which has been constantly improving its energy consumption methods since 1963, its use of soft travel and its use of local products.
For their easy beach access and their partnerships with various leisure service providers, we must also mention the campsite Le Suroit **** in Le Bois Plage en Ré (a Zen and nature village 600 metres from the beach), the campsite Le Gurp in Grayan-et-l'Hôpital (with direct access for surfing activities), the campsite Saint-Martin in Moliets (with direct access for horse riding on the beach) and the Atlantica Ciela Basque campsite (with access for dugout canoeing along the Basque coast).

5. Ports: Historical and still active…

Ports are not the only remarkable heritage features of the Atlantic coast: lighthouses (Cordouan, La Baleine...); the Vauban fortifications (Ars-en-Ré, Blaye...) and the famous Fort Boyard; the most beautiful villages or the Lands and Towns of Art and History (Île de Ré, Royan, Talmont-sur-Gironde, Aïnhoa...) with their architectural treasures, museums, heritage mediation... so many reasons to discover the region and to “learn while you tan”!
Our ports:

La Rochelle, abundance

Les Minimes is the leading yachting port on the Atlantic coast, but there is also a fishing port. Delight your taste buds in the port's restaurants and your eyes by contemplating the three towers or by strolling through the streets and alleys, between half-timbered houses and arcades. The city, famous for its Francofolies festival, has a long and eventful history!

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La Cotinière, effervescence

Charente-Maritime’s leading port is an artisanal port that lives all year round to the rhythm of boats coming and going. The fishermen practice respectful fishing and the Victorine market welcomes local producers every day (except Monday in winter). 70 restaurants and shops complete the offer, from April to late October.

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Saint-Jean-de-Luz - Ciboure, privateer and royal

An incredible charm, a corsair past and a royal wedding between Louis XIV and the Infanta Maria Theresa in 1660, artists and craftsmen, lively pedestrian streets... This “Town of Art and History”, is also a historic fishing port. It is no longer a whale fishing town, but rather a fishing port for tuna, anchovies and hake. There is no shortage of good restaurants where you can taste these fresh products!

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