The best walks and hikes in Forêt Des Combots D'Ansoine

The Grande Côte beach is one of the most beautiful sites in Saint-Palais-sur-Mer, especially at sunset. Lined with dunes and forest, it offers a vast panorama of the Atlantic Ocean as well as a breathtaking view of the Coubre lighthouse and, on clear days, of the island of Oléron. Easily accessible by bike or mountain bike, it is an ideal place to take a break, admire the landscape, enjoy the sea air and capture this exceptional setting.

🏛️ Origin of the market The market of Saint-Palais-sur-Mer appeared at the beginning of the 20th century, at the same time as the tourist development of the commune. 1901: construction of the first covered market on the Place de l’Océan 1913: creation of a second covered market, proof of the resort's rapid growth 👉 At that time, the town (then called Bureau-les-Bains) became a popular destination thanks to sea bathing and the arrival of bourgeois tourism. 🌊 A market linked to the seaside resort The market is part of the village's transformation: - Originally: small fishing and farming village - Late 19th – early 20th century: development of villas and tourism The market then became a central place for local life and supply. It also reflects local productions: / fish and seafood (Marennes-Oléron oysters in particular) / Charentais agricultural products / regional specialties 🔄 Developments in the 20th century 1975: destruction of the old buildings (covered market + function room) Construction of a new, more modern market with redevelopment of the town center 👉 This period corresponds to the modernization of the resort after the war. 🛍️ The market today The current market, still serving the heart of the town: 📍 Covered market of Saint-Palais-sur-Mer It is open all year round in the morning and complemented by an outdoor market. In summer: daily and very lively markets 🎉 Evolution towards tourist entertainment Today, the market is no longer limited to food and is turning towards: - night markets (local produce, crafts, art) - summer events by the sea

🏰 Interior visit Entering Cordouan means discovering a unique place, halfway between a royal monument and a maritime structure. Here are the main stages of the visit 👇 🚪 1. The base and the guardroom As soon as you enter (accessible at low tide), you step into a massive stone base - Very thick walls to withstand storms - Old technical and storage rooms - Austere atmosphere, typical of a defensive structure at sea ⛪ 2. The royal chapel This is the symbolic heart of the lighthouse, absolutely remarkable. - Dedicated to Notre-Dame de Cordouan - Decorated with marble, sculptures, and elegant vaults - Designed to resemble a palace chapel 👉 This is what gives the lighthouse its nickname "Versailles of the sea". 👑 3. The king's apartments Above the chapel are rooms intended to accommodate the king (even though he never came). - Vaulted and decorated rooms - Fireplaces and period elements - Later used by the lighthouse keepers 🌀 4. The monumental staircase - Approximately 300 steps - Spiral stone staircase - Natural light through narrow openings 👉 The climb is gradual, with several landings allowing you to discover the successive levels. 💡 5. The lantern room You then arrive at the technical part of the lighthouse: - Modern lighting system - Old Fresnel lens (major historical element) - Mechanisms that have evolved over the centuries 🌊 6. The exterior balcony At the top: - Spectacular 360° view of the Gironde estuary and the Atlantic Ocean - Unique sensation of being isolated in the open sea 🧭 What makes the visit unique - Rare blend of royal luxury and maritime engineering - Monument still in operation - Access dependent on tides and weather - Feeling of total isolation, especially at high tide 💡 Tip: The visit usually includes a boat trip from Royan or Le Verdon. You should bring suitable shoes (damp and sometimes slippery ground).

🏰 Historic The Cordouan lighthouse, located at the entrance to the Gironde estuary, is one of France's most remarkable maritime monuments. Nicknamed "the king of lighthouses" or "the Versailles of the sea," it has a unique history of over 400 years. ⚓ Origins (14th – 16th century) As early as the 14th century, a first rudimentary fire tower existed on the Cordouan plateau to signal dangers to sailors. The estuary was then very dangerous, with numerous shipwrecks, which threatened trade towards Bordeaux. 👑 Construction of the royal lighthouse (1584 – 1611) The current construction began in 1584 under the reign of Henry III, then continued under Henry IV. Architect Louis de Foix designed an exceptional building: * both a lighthouse and a royal prestige monument * richly decorated (chapel, sculptures, apartments) It was completed and lit in 1611. 👉 At that time, it was considered an architectural marvel, sometimes compared to the lighthouse of Alexandria. 🔬 Evolutions and modernization (18th – 19th century) Between 1788 and 1790, engineer Joseph Teulère raised the lighthouse by about 20 meters to improve its visibility. In 1823, the Fresnel lens was installed, a major innovation that revolutionized lighthouse lighting worldwide. 🏛️ Heritage recognition Classified as a historic monument as early as 1862, among the very first in France. Still in operation, it is the oldest French lighthouse still in service. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2021, as a masterpiece of maritime architecture. ⚙️ Contemporary era The lighthouse was automated in 2006, but remains maintained and monitored by teams. It is now visited in season and is a major tourist site on the Charente and Gironde coast.

The Platin beach, located in Saint-Palais-sur-Mer, is one of the most characteristic coastal sites in the region, both for its landscape and its history. 🌊 A site shaped by the sea The Platin beach is distinguished by its limestone cliffs and small coves. This coastline belongs to the Côte Nord de Beauté, between Royan and La Palmyre. The word “Platin” comes from the local dialect and refers to a rocky plateau exposed at low tide. For millennia, marine erosion has sculpted these rocks, creating caves, overhangs, and typical reliefs. 🐟 A traditional activity: fishing and fishing huts As along the entire Charente coast: - Locals practiced shore fishing (shellfish, crustaceans). - Carrelets (fishing huts on stilts) were installed on the rocks or cliffs, emblems of the local landscape. - These structures have now become a heritage and tourist feature. 🪖 A site marked by the Second World War During the Second World War: - The coastline, including the Platin, was integrated into the Atlantic Wall built by the German army. - Bunkers and defensive structures were established on the heights to monitor the Gironde estuary. - Some remains are still visible today, integrated into the landscape. 🏖️ Tourist boom From the end of the 19th century and especially in the 20th century, Saint-Palais-sur-Mer became a popular seaside resort. The Platin beach attracts visitors for: - its wilder setting than the large beaches, - its rocks and coves, - its view of the estuary. Today, it is appreciated for swimming, walking, and photography. 🌿 Today: a natural and heritage site The Platin beach is recognized for: - its preserved environment, - its remarkable geology, - its blend of history and nature. It is one of the emblematic places on the Charente coast, between maritime heritage and historical memory.

The carrelets of Saint-Palais-sur-Mer are among the most emblematic elements of the Charente coastline. Their history blends traditional fishing, tourist development, and local heritage. 🐟 Origin of the carrelets Originally, the word "carrelet" referred to a square fishing net used since the 17th century. A precise description can be found as early as 1769, in the writings of the scholar Henri-Louis Duhamel du Monceau, who mentioned this type of fishing on the Saintonge coast. 👉 At that time, these were not yet the current huts, but simply a net operated from rudimentary structures. ⚓ Artisanal fishing structures The first local carrelets were simple wooden platforms, built by the fishermen themselves to stand above the water. They were mainly used to catch shrimp, fish, and crabs near the shore, without going out to sea. 👉 It was a family and coastal fishery, less dangerous than sea fishing. 🏖️ 19th – early 20th century: transition to a leisure activity At the turn of the 20th century, with the rise of seaside resorts like Saint-Palais, the carrelets evolved. Holidaymakers and notable figures adopted this practice: construction of fixed jetties, appearance of huts on stilts. The carrelets then became places for relaxation as much as for fishing. 👉 They already contributed to the postcard image of the coast. 🪵 After 1945: democratization and multiplication After the Second World War, the number of carrelets increased sharply. They became a symbol of popular leisure and conviviality. The transition was gradually made from a means of subsistence to a recreational activity. 🌊 Storms and reconstruction The carrelets are fragile in the face of storms: 1999: massive destruction (up to 90% in some areas) 2010 (Xynthia storm): new damage Many have been rebuilt identically, respecting tradition. 🏛️ Today: protected heritage In Charente-Maritime, there are about 400 carrelets. They are: integrated into the public maritime domain allocated by administrative authorization (often renewed every 5 years) Since 2018, they have been recognized as cultural heritage of the department. 👉 In Saint-Palais, they can be observed in particular: at Pont du Diable at the conche du Concié at the Puits de l’Auture

🌿 Origin of the site (before the park) Originally, the site was not a park but a coastal marsh, called the Rhâ marsh. This marsh was fed by a small stream flowing towards the Bureau beach. It was one of the last natural wetlands in the area. 🏗️ Creation of the leisure park (1980s) May 1980: municipal decision to transform this marsh into a leisure park. Project developed until 1984, with the idea of creating: - a body of water - sports and relaxation facilities (pétanque, mini-golf, table tennis...) 1985 – 1987: development work complete earthworks creation of the artificial lake landscaping September 12, 1987: official inauguration of the park. 🏷️ Park name In 1990, the site was named Parc Raymond Vignes In tribute to Raymond Vignes, mayor of the commune from 1971 to 1989, who initiated the project. 🌳 Recent developments and amenities The park has continued to evolve: 🌿 Tree planting (pines, holm oaks...) to create a shaded environment 🐦 2020: creation of a bird sanctuary (LPO) with over 40 species recorded 🌳 2019: creation of an educational arboretum (≈ 40 tree species) 🏃 Addition of a fitness trail, playground, and school water activities 📍 Current role Today, this park of nearly 16 hectares is: - the main green space in the commune - a walking area around a lake (1.7 km) - a natural space also used for stormwater management

La Chapelle Notre-Dame-des-Aviateurs, often called the aviators' chapel, is a small religious building steeped in an original history, blending faith, aviation, and local memory. 🏗️ Origins (late 19th – early 20th century) In 1896, the Platin land was purchased by Parisian industrialist Joseph Odelin. In 1904, he had a small private oratory built, dedicated to the Virgin, capable of accommodating about twenty people. Faced with the increase in the local population, the chapel was enlarged in 1908, with a larger nave. ✈️ Link with aviation (from 1909) In 1909, after the exploit of Louis Blériot (crossing the English Channel), the chapel was named “Notre-Dame des Aviateurs”. Very quickly, it became a symbolic place for pilots: In 1910, an aviator flew over the chapel and dropped a wreath of flowers. This gesture launched a tradition of aerial pilgrimages, unique in France. 👉 The chapel thus became the protector of aviators… and also of sailors, with blessings of the sea and sky. ⛪ Religious life and pilgrimages From 1911 onwards, masses were officially authorized. From 1916, major pilgrimages brought together civilians and military personnel (several thousand people). This tradition continued until the 1980s, despite an interruption during the Second World War. 💣 Destruction and reconstruction In 1945, during the bombings of Royan (end of the war), the chapel was severely damaged. It was rebuilt in 1947, then restored several times (notably in 1994). 🕊️ Memory and current role The chapel notably commemorates a bomber crew that crashed nearby in 1945. Today it is: open mainly in summer for services maintained by a local association since 2005 Inside, one can see model airplanes offered as ex-votos, testimonies of gratitude from aviators.