Top Things to do in La Palmyre-Les Mathes
Top Restaurants in La Palmyre-Les Mathes
10 Things to Do in La Palmyre-Les Mathes That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in La Palmyre-Les Mathes, France including Plage de La Palmyre, Phare de la Coubre, Le Pont du Diable, Phare du Cordouan, Mornac sur seudre, Zoo de la Palmyre, La Grande Cote, La Cote Sauvage, La Palmyre Tourist Office, Office of Tourism Saint-Palais-sur-Mer.
Restaurants in La Palmyre-Les Mathes
1. Plage de La Palmyre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 195 reviews
Reviewed By nnmercman - Camberley, United Kingdom
We'd visited the Zoo and stopped by the beach on our way home. The area is full of camp sites and holiday homes so it does get quite busy around the marina and town - all good with plenty of free parking! A Promenade goes the whole length of the front with a separate cycle path - however, cyclists don't seem to take much notice and can often be experienced on the pedestrian path. You see two Lighthouses - one out in the estuary and the other across the Baie de Bonne Anse (Phare de la Coubre). There's a land train, boat launch facilities/trailer parking, plenty of restaurants/bars near the marina and along the Beaches plus kids activity sites. All in all a nice area with plenty to see and do.
2. Phare de la Coubre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 223 reviews
Reviewed By auntieshaz21 - Lanton, France
The day we visited the lighthouse was closed, which was a shame. The walk around the outside was just as enlightening especially from the beach - you would think it had grown out of the sand! Excellent walk along the sandy beach or among the pine woods. Take a picnic and enjoy the wild life.
3. Le Pont du Diable
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 310 reviews
Reviewed By JohnEF33 - Chester, United Kingdom
If you like walking this is interesting paths just a short distance from the Town. Good for picnics, we have parked at the Devils point and had our picnic after a walk. The walk along the beach and the bay is very good and the views across to the Lighthouse are spectacular with the sun glimmering across the estuary. Just one feature of a great area which I have visited twice a year for the last 12 years - speaks for itself.
4. Phare du Cordouan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 239 reviews
A unique monument in the world, located right in the middle of the sea, at 4.350 miles to French coasts. Every year, it opens its doors to 25 000 enthusiast visitors keen on discovering lighthouse’s history. Get on board in a boat from Gironde or Charente coasts and you will land 4.350 miles in a sandbank surrounded by the ocean: it’s down the lighthouse that adventure begins. Cordouan is like no others: it remains the oldest French lighthouse still in use, while still hosting lighthouse keepers. They are four, taking turns in pairs all year, to provide the site maintenance, but also welcome visitors, showing around the monument. Cordouan lighthouse is a military art structure, classified monument since 1862. During the visit, you could admire a room of great rarity: the chapel of “Notre Dame de Cordouan” situated in the second floor, which is certainly the most majestic part of the structure.
Reviewed By frenchderek - Rochefort, France
Although this trip is listed under Verdun, it can be taken from Royan also: which is what we did. And it is the trip from there that is itself that is part of the enjoyment/challenge. NB this is not suitable for physically disabled people: there is water to wade through and 301 steps to climb,
There are two boats operating from Royan, on alternate days. The 2014 fare of €44 includes entry to the lighthouse. Others have described the wonder of the lighthouse itself. Our friend spent much of his career maintaining ancient buildings around the world, including several Lighthouses. He declared Cordouan the most spectacular he had ever visited. So what can I add? Some words of advice maybe to help choose the best conditions in which to visit.
Boats leave according to the tide. The main boat journey time from Royan is 40 minutes, but then you transfer to a flat-bottomed boat before wading ashore. The boats prefer to arrive about one hour before low tide and leave about the same time after low tide. This allows time to get to the lighthouse as well as for the visit itself.
We chose to go on a day when the tidal coefficient was high - the higher the coefficient, the more the tide rises and recedes (and thus lower water levels at low tide). We also chose a time of year when the water temperature was reasonable (21°C), because there can be knee-deep sea-water to wade through. And we chose a day when the winds were light, because the sea-trip is very exposed, and wind at sea is much cooler. There were about 20-25 on our boat but another boat was visiting from Verdun at the same time. It could get crowded in high season.
The flat-bottomed boat took us to within a few metres of the first sandbank, which is heavily rutted and about 300 metres to cross. Then another strip of water to wade through - this one with rounded rocks on the bottom (the boat crew were very helpful here). After that, there was a short walk to the concrete causeway (100 metres long) which leads up to the lighthouse entrance. From there the beauty of the lighthouse can be seen close up (the wonderful renaissance carvings are easily seen during your walk).
The return trip is the reverse of the above - and can be enlivened by the spectacle of those who chose to leave the lighthouse later than the rest of the party! (NB the crew are very attentive and helpful). Many people had taken their picnic lunch ashore with them but there was not time to eat it there - best left safely on board and eaten on the return journey.
Trips can be booked from the kiosks on the quayside: the boats lie further along the quay. This is one visit we will repeat.
5. Mornac sur seudre
Overall Ratings
4 based on 229 reviews
Reviewed By John F - Newark-on-Trent, United Kingdom
The core attractions of this village are its market square, its church and essentially the oyster beds upon which the village is founded. Now becoming gentrified with shops and galleries marking the route to the waterfront it is still a place of interest and relaxation. An excellent day out if you are in the area.
6. Zoo de la Palmyre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By Lin W - Lichfield, United Kingdom
I hadn't been to a zoo since my children were young so wasn't sure what I would think of this experience.
So these are my findings:
Clearly signed paths ensuring all exhibits are seen. 3.2 miles of paths with some slight gradients but very accessible. Could wheelchairs be hired as we didn't expect the zoo to be so big?
Animals in very clean environment. No old food scraps or piles of poo around. Where glass is used to screen it is kept clean so that you can take photos. Few cages.
Only one cafe open ( towards the start of the path) with smaller outlets closed. Some drinks vending machines around but again towards the start. Could do with something towards the end when tiredness sets in.
Plenty of benches to stop and rest. Plenty of toilets en route.
Flamingo colony very smelly.
Very detailed guide book, in English, describes the animals and their natural environments.
Many endangered species shown.
Some animals showed signs of boredom (elephant and large cats). Maybe could do with creating some enrichment or interesting things for the animals to replicate their natural lives.
Advert said average visit four hours, but we we there for six and had to rush the last bit before close. Everything shuts and animals start to go to bed about one hour before close.
Plenty of car parking with space for picnics - but outside of the gate so not sure what arrangements are made for 'pass outs'
Overall, we loved it, well worth the €17 entry fee. (€13 for 3-12years)
7. La Grande Cote
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 99 reviews
Reviewed By Rhys W - Pons, France
Backed by dunes and the forest this is a great beach. One of our favourites and we visit regularly. Sometimes a bit crowded in summer but not (in our experience) too tightly packed, though getting away from this coast on a summer weekend by car can be something of a traffic jam - allow much longer than you'd expect. Lovely place for a brisk walk on a sunny winter afternoon, but fairly exposed so need to wrap up well from the wind. A few dogs on the beach at that time, happily playing and running about, but not intrusive or noisy.
8. La Cote Sauvage
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 73 reviews
Reviewed By Kris K - London, United Kingdom
Wonderful sand, powerful waves, and lifeguarded in certain spots.
I visited two sites, both with life guards.
The first was at the Forestier de al Bouverie. There is a campervan-type refreshment vehicle that comes, but other than that, nothing.
The car park is a fair old walk, but bicycle parking is right up behind the dunes.
The second was la plage de la coubre (the lighthouse). For a beach that isn't particularly accessible, it was very busy - but being a huge beach, there was still plenty of room.
This beach had a restaurant at the end of the road. Again, bicycle parking was closer to the beach.
From this second beach there is a dedicated cycle route to La Palmyre, approx. 4km.
9. La Palmyre Tourist Office
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 80 reviews
Our team welcomes you all year round to help you to organize your stay at La Palmyre the best way possible! We propose many services : free wifi, ticket office, post office...
Reviewed By jane f - Lincoln, United Kingdom
we called in to get a map of the area and ask about parking. The lady spoke excellent English and was very pleasant and helpful. She told us about the parking rules, pointed things out on a map and advised us on events and attractions.
10. Office of Tourism Saint-Palais-sur-Mer
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 184 reviews
To get the most out of your visit, the Tourist Information Centre offers guided tours, events for adults and children and a ticket office. With staff speaking four languages, you’ll be sure to find all the information you need for a pleasant stay. Our Tourist Information Centre also offers a shop and a WIFI hotspot.
Reviewed By JonathanO1989 - Rome, Italy
If you need any informations about events or anything else in St Palais sur mer, this is the place you have to go. People are smiling and friendly, unless they're very busy. You can also find fliers of many clubs and associations in or close...MoreThank you for your positive feedback. Our tourist office does its best to improve its facilities in order to satisfy our visitors’ requirements and offer them the quality service they deserve. We hope to see you again in Saint-Palais-sur-Mer !
TAGS
