Coast at Le Parc de l’estuaire

Europe’s largest estuary with the oldest French lighthouse still in use.

The Poitou-Charentes shares the mouth of the Gironde river with the Aquitaine. And Le Parc de l’estuaire was created to help visitors appreciate the complex geology and eco-system that makes up Europe’s largest estuary (75 km long and 12 km wide).

Situated on cliffs near Saint-Georges-de-Didonne, south of Royan in the Charente-Maritime, the nature centre was first opened in 2005. At the heart of the park is the La Villa de l’Estuaire. This is home to the park’s permanent exhibition where through displays and interactive games the mysteries of the estuary are unveiled; how it was formed, how it is changing, how fragile this phenomenon of nature is, and what steps are being taken to preserve it.

Another important part of the Parc de l’estuaire is the tour de guet or lookout tower. Designed to help park officials keep an eye out for forest fires, this tower is open to visitors when accompanied by a guide. The tour de guet certainly gives you an unrivalled view of the estuary, the Mediterranean-style vegetation around the park, the coastline, beaches, forests … and local lighthouses.

The Lighthouses: Phare de Cordouan and Phare de la Coubre

The Cordouan lighthouse is remarkable. Situated seven kilometres off the shore, at equal distance between the Poitou-Charentes shoreline and the Aquitaine, it is the oldest French lighthouse still in use; work began on it in the late 16th century.

Indeed because of its striking architecture it was classified as an historic monument as long ago as 1862 and the lighthouse is sometimes known as the ‘Versailles of the sea’ or the ‘King of lighthouses’.

The Walk

Back at the Parc de l’estuaire, the third element of the nature centre is the walk through 3.5 hectares, allowing visitors a chance to admire close up the pines and other trees, shrubs and plants of the park. The nature centre is in the much larger forest known as the forêt de Suzac, which extends for 350 hectares, more than 90 hectares of which are now protected.

The park also has another room where temporary exhibitions are held, a teashop and a small shop selling goods produced by local artisans.

 

Address and Contact Information
Parc de l’estuaire
47 avenue Paul Roullet
17110 Saint-Georges-de-Didonne

Tel: +33 5 46 23 77 77

Photo 1 by ec-jpr / CC BY 2.0 images cropped