The main attraction here is the beach – two-and-a-half kilometres long, it is largely protected by the Ile de Ré to the north and the Ile d’Oléron to the south. In 1989 it was completely renovated with half a million cubic metres of sand brought to repair it.

Today the beach is backed by a pedestrianised walkway with the road above accessed by steps, making it perfect for children, as they have a safe area in which to play. It has great views of the Iles de Ré, d’Oléron, d’Aix and the brooding Fort Boyard (now privately owned and scene of a popular French television show).

It is flanked by restaurants and cafes so you don’t have to go far to get a bite to eat or something to drink.

Other things to See and Do

Vertig’O: Huge play area for children

There is a play area of over 1000m2 for all kids over 5 years old called Vertig’O ! With a pool at 29° for learning swimming and sea kayaking, there is also a zip line of 100 m from a platform at 4 metres and a Quickjump from 9 meters…. yikes!

Open daily from 10h to 13h and 14h to 18h for children 5 to 12 years – the zip line will also be open to the public from 20h to 22h.

A Casino and a Disco

For players of other games, there’s the Casino Emeraude, again on the beach. Outside, the casino is belle époque, but inside, the gaming rooms, restaurant and disco La Licorne (The Unicorn) are brashly modern.

The Horse Races

And for horse-players, the Hippodrome de Haut-Rillon just to the east of the town offers racing most days of the season and gallantly offers women free entry! Men have to pay €5.50.

Naturally, in a town so dedicated to play, there are many other attractions including municipal gardens and mini-golf, and a thalassotherapy centre.

There is a daily covered market from 8h00 to 13h00 on Rue du Marché, and a stallholders market Tuesdays and Fridays on the Boulevard de la Liberation.

Things to do near Châtelaillon-Plage

Embraced as it is by the enfolding arms of the islands Ré (see Saint-Martin-de-Ré) and Oléron (see Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron) and with La Rochelle 10km to the north and Rochefort 18km to the south, Châtelaillon-Plage is uniquely placed to act as a jumping-off base for every imaginable attraction and activity.

Boat trips to the Ile d’Aix can be arranged from the little yacht port at the south end of the beach. Among the sights and activities available nearby some highlights include: The medieval port of La Rochelle, with its towers and fortifications – and a harbour full of yachts. The gently curved and arched, 4.5km bridge from La Rochelle to the Ile de Ré, surely one of the most beautiful in the world, and perfect for a bike ride – free and on a protected lane.

The village of Les Boucholeurs

Take a trip across the River Charente estuary on the gigantic Martrou transporter bridge ((link to post)), the last in France. The village of Les Boucholeurs, a kilometre or so south of beach, has been a fishing- and shellfish-gathering village for centuries. Many of the fishermen’s houses have been preserved, and every August the village fête pays homage to its heritage with folk dancing in traditional costume, displays of historical tackle and techniques, fireworks and of course, plenty of oysters.

Marais Poitevin

Don’t forget that this coast is the southwestern limit of the great Marais Poitevin; just 8km south of Châtelaillon is the nature reserve of the Marais of Yves – 192 hectares of wetlands, wild orchids, otters and herons. Guided tours can be arranged through the Tourist Office – so can special kids’ safaris.

Getting to Châtelaillon-Plage

Châtelaillon-Plage is on the straight, fast N137 between La Rochelle (with its airport, ferries, and TGV trains to Paris, Poitiers, Tours etc) and Rochefort. There are also buses and a TER train service between these two cities and a rail station in Châtelaillon.

Bicycles can be rented at many points in the town.

Châtelaillon-Plage Office de Tourisme
5 Avenue de Strasbourg
17340 Châtelaillon-Plage

Tel: +33 5 46 56 26 97

Photo 1 by PicsOfDay / CC BY 2.0 image cropped; Photo 2 by thierry llansades / CC BY 2.0 image cropped; Photo 3 by Frédérique Voisin-Demery / CC BY 2.0 image cropped