The best running trails around Rochefort

📍 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.

🏖️ General Overview Chay Beach is a family-friendly, fine sandy beach located in Royan (Charente-Maritime), on the Côte d’Argent promenade between Pigeonnier Beach and Pointe du Chay. It stretches for approximately 200 meters and boasts a pleasant natural setting, with a cove bordered by rocks typical of the Charente coastline. 🏝️ Features • 🌊 Beach type: fine sand, sheltered cove. • 🏄‍♂️ Atmosphere: relatively calm and family-friendly, ideal for children and vacationers seeking relaxation away from the large urban beaches. • 🐾 Pets: prohibited from April 1st to September 30th. • 🫧 Water quality: excellent (Blue Flag label awarded for 2025). 🧭 Lifeguard and Safety • Swimming is supervised during the season (June to early September), with areas marked by red and yellow flags. • The area is classified as a Category 3 "Supervised Beach" and lifeguards are present during the indicated hours. 🪑 Amenities On-site, you can find: • 🏖️ Sun loungers, parasols, and mattresses for rent. • 🚿 Foot rinse and public restrooms. • 📶 Wi-Fi access, first aid station, and an area accessible to people with reduced mobility (assistance may be required depending on the slope). • 🍴 Beachfront restaurant ("Le Chay" bar-restaurant with sea views). 🚶‍♂️ Atmosphere and Activities • 🎈 Ideal for families and leisurely strolls. • 🌞 People come here for swimming, playing on the sand, flying kites, or simply relaxing by the ocean. • 🅿️ Parking is available nearby, and the beach is easily accessible on foot or by bike from Royan town center in just a few minutes. 🧭 Practical Tips • 📆 Best time to visit: summer for supervised swimming and full services, but also during the off-season for a more peaceful atmosphere. • ☀️ Arriving early in the morning makes parking easier during peak season. • 🐶 Dogs are not allowed during the summer season; check the signs on site during the off-season.

Walk-in lighthouse with website for reservations. https://www.chassiron.net/

don't leave too quickly

A break is needed

2025 Hours and Rates From January 1st to March 31st: 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last boarding at 4:30 p.m.) From April 1st to June 30th: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (last boarding at 6:30 p.m.) From July 1st to August 31st: 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (last boarding at 8:00 p.m.) From September 1st to 30th: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (last boarding at 6:30 p.m.) From October 1st to December 31st (except All Saints' Day holiday): 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last boarding at 4:30 p.m.) From October 18th to November 2nd, 2025 (All Saints' Day holiday): 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (last boarding at 5:00 p.m.) Prices Individual Rates Full Rate (13 years and older) = €4.60 Reduced Rate (6 to 12 years) = €3.00 Free Rate (under 6 years and disabled person) Pass Rate = €13.00 (2 full rates + 2 reduced rates) Group Rates (reservation required) Adult Groups (minimum 10 adults) = €4.00 per adult Children's Groups (schools, leisure centers, etc.) = €2.20 per child

Maritime traffic near the coast of the Île d'Oléron became significant in the 17th century, and it was necessary to increase the safety and marking of the strait. The first 33-meter tower, completed in 1685, provided only a meager and rather unpredictable light. The new Chassiron lighthouse was commissioned in December 1836. Its 46-meter-high black and white tower can be seen up to 35 km by day, and its light can be seen 52 km on a clear night. A beautiful staircase of 224 steps leads to the lantern, lit by incandescent acetylene light. Its light flashes 10 times every 10 seconds, has a power of 360,000 decimal candles, and an average range of 28 miles. The lighthouse reaches a height of 43 meters above ground level and 50 meters above sea level. First painted white, in 1926, the three 6-meter-high black bands that characterize it today were added to make it more visible during the day in the fog and to differentiate it from its neighbor on the Île de Ré, the Baleines lighthouse. Since 1998, there has been no keeper. It is maintained by the Lighthouse and Beacon Office. The Chassiron site was completely rehabilitated in 2007. The gardens were redesigned, and a museum was created on the first floor of the lighthouse. Open year-round, 7 days a week. The Chassiron lighthouse is located in the commune of Saint-Denis-d'Oléron, which has been managing its tourist attractions since 1999 with the Charente-Maritime Department. The lighthouse rotunda houses a museum themed "the people of the coast between land and sea." Discover the lives of the Oléron residents (farmers and fishermen) through authentic objects, explanatory models, and films. The tour lasts approximately 20 minutes. From the top of the lighthouse, you can see the island of Oléron, the distant island of Ré, the continental coast (La Rochelle, Vendée), and the ocean. At low tide, the rocky foreshore creates a landscape with curvaceous graphics, complemented by the traditional horseshoe-shaped fish locks, some of which are still maintained on this site.

The port of Royan is located between the Foncillon district and the Grande Conche beach, in the heart of the city. Ideally located at the mouth of the Gironde, in the immediate vicinity of the Atlantic Ocean and opposite Port-Médoc, it consists of a marina with a thousand rings and a fishing port, specializing in “noble” species (sole, meagre, sea bass, etc.). You will find the harbor master's office, the Fishing Port and the auction, as well as a covered shopping arcade, “Les voûtes du Port”, which extends the shopping arcades of the “Front de Mer”. Port, 1100 sheltered places – Reception pontoon – Secure pontoons. Access pass is 0.30 m above the zero of the nautical charts. Basins after dredging 2.30 m from the zero of the nautical charts. Services: water, electricity (220 V) on pontoon, toilets, WC, showers, handling in closed technical area, recovery of careening water, grey water and black water pumps, maintenance and ship repair workshops, ship chandlers on the port, wifi, 24/24 CB fuel, slipway. V.H.F. 9. The port is sheltered from all winds because it is protected by the landing stage of the ferries which ensure the crossing of the Gironde for the crossings to the Pointe de Grave/Le Verdon-sur-Mer.