Attractions and Places To See around Étaules - Top 20

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

📍 Introducing the Gilet Cove The Gilet Cove is a small, natural beach on the oceanfront, located on Boulevard de la Conche de Gilet / Boulevard de la Falaise, in the town of Vaux-sur-Mer, just before Royan. 🌿 It's a sheltered, rocky cove, appreciated for its tranquility and more intimate setting compared to the larger urban beaches nearby. 🏖️ At high tide, the sea can completely cover this small beach, making the space very limited; at low tide, you can enjoy a patch of sand and rocks for relaxing or swimming. 🧭 Features & Tips 📍 Type of place: small, unsupervised beach, nestled among the rocks with sand and cliffs. 🏖️ Tides: access is best at low tide — at high tide the beach can disappear underwater. 🐶 Animals: prohibited from April 1st to September 30th (subject to municipal regulations). 👣 Access: via stairs from the boulevard above, surrounded by villas with sea views. 🚫 Lifeguard services: no lifeguard station or marked services. 📍 Location La Conche de Gilet is often considered the last small beach in Vaux-sur-Mer before reaching Royan/Pontaillac when following the coastline from Saint-Palais-sur-Mer.

The Grande Côte, a strategic point covering the entrance to the Gironde estuary, concentrated artillery batteries. From mid-1943 and faced with the threat of an Anglo-Saxon landing, Saint-Palais-sur-Mer became part of the Atlantic Wall. While the Todt Organization built massive blockhouses and small concrete structures there, a multitude of anti-landing obstacles dotted the coastal front of St Palais. We can notably mention the fortified battery of the Grande Côte beach, that of the Grande Côte promontory and that of the Puits de l’AUture, as well as the bunker of the Kriegsmarine artillery headquarters. Guided and commented tours of these bunkers are organized and offered on the WEB, among others http://www.blockhausstpalaissurmer.com/descriptif-visite/

Discover the hidden history of the Second World War along the coast of Saint-Palais-sur-Mer. There you can explore the well-preserved German bunkers, nestled between the forest and the ocean. Don't miss the German Command Bunker, which served as headquarters for Abteilung 284 of the marine artillery. You will be able to enjoy breathtaking views of the ocean while discovering this fascinating historical site.

If you are looking for a quiet and shady place to relax, the Conche de Gilet is a natural gap in the rocks which offers a narrow and peaceful beach. Please note, however, that the beach is only accessible at low tide, as the sea completely covers it at high tide.

What's a conch? This word does not seem to be French, and it seems that it is only used in Charente Maritime while everywhere else we speak of cove, cove or beach. A conche is therefore a beach, whether it is of a respectable size like the Grande Conche and its 2.5 kilometers or narrow and enclosed between two rocky plateaus like the conche de Gilet. Gilet beach is the last conch of Vaux-sur-Mer before arriving at Pontaillac beach in Royan. To come to this small calm and quiet beach, access is via stairs. In order to take advantage of the expanse of sand, it is recommended to come at low tide because at high tide, the sea completely covers it. A few rocks on the side allow you to put your towel down. No surveillance, no infrastructure on this beach, only a few squares to enjoy it in complete privacy ...... outside the tourist period!!!!!

The idea of erecting an oratory on this land was presented to Monsignor Le Camus, Bishop of Saintes and La Rochelle in 1903. The project was approved and, a year later, the building saw the light of day. Consisting of a nave in exposed stone and a narthex bell tower, the chapel can accommodate 15 to 20 people. The baptism of the Jeannette bell, the blessing of the oratory dedicated to Notre Dame as well as the first mass took place on August 25, 1904. Having become too small to accommodate all the faithful, the chapel underwent some modifications in 1908, in particular an enlargement, and the stone nave gave way to a longer and much wider brick nave. Monsignor Augouard, Bishop of Congo-Brazzaville blesses the Chapel again for the occasion. Following the feat of Louis Blériot crossing the English Channel in an airplane in 1909, the chapel then dedicated to Notre Dame became the chapel of the Aviators and then a little later that of the Sailors. When Joseph Odelin died in 1927, the chapel was offered to the diocese. During the Second World War and like the Royan coast, the bombings did not spare the chapel of the airmen, rebuilt in 1947. Created in 2005, the association of Friends of Notre Dame du Platin has the mission of bringing to life and maintaining the Chapel of the Aviators. Masses are celebrated there throughout the summer and the pilgrimage at the end of August closes the summer season. On the occasion of the guided tour of the Sentier des Douaniers, we invite you to discover the interior of the chapel and admire the models of planes it houses, offerings also called ex-voto.