Once a chic seaside resort of beautiful Belle Époque architecture, it was flattened in January 1945 by Allied bombing. The town was rebuilt in modernist style in the 1950s today it is an attractive mix of the old and new, the colourful old villas nestling behind the main part of town.
It also has a fine port to wander around, lots of natural areas rich with wildlife to explore and for those who like to shop there’s plenty to do, too, from Royan’s renowned market to some upmarket stores aimed at Parisian holidaymakers. For despite its growing popularity with some foreign holidaymakers, Royan is still a place where the French like to holiday and enjoy the seaside as only the French can.
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