RoutesHiking trails & RoutesFranceNew AquitaineRochefortSaint-Palais-Sur-Mer
The Aviators' Chapel – Cordouan Lighthouse loop from Saint-Palais-sur-Mer
RoutesHiking trails & RoutesFranceNew AquitaineRochefortSaint-Palais-Sur-Mer
The Aviators' Chapel – Cordouan Lighthouse loop from Saint-Palais-sur-Mer
Moderate
4.4
(20)
279
hikers
The Aviators' Chapel – Cordouan Lighthouse loop from Saint-Palais-sur-Mer
02:11
8.33km
70m
Hiking
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Waypoints
A
Start point
Parking
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1
1.61 km
Platin Beach, Saint-Palais-sur-Mer
Highlight • Beach
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.
🌊 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.
Showing Translation
Tip by
2
1.97 km
The Aviators' Chapel
Highlight • Other
La Chapelle Notre-Dame-des-Aviateurs, often called the aviators' chapel, is a small religious building steeped in an original history, blending faith, aviation, and local memory.
🏗️ Origins (late 19th – early 20th century)
In 1896, the Platin land was purchased by Parisian industrialist Joseph Odelin.
In 1904, he had a small private oratory built, dedicated to the Virgin, capable of accommodating about twenty people.
Faced with the increase in the local population, the chapel was enlarged in 1908, with a larger nave.
✈️ Link with aviation (from 1909)
In 1909, after the exploit of Louis Blériot (crossing the English Channel), the chapel was named “Notre-Dame des Aviateurs”.
Very quickly, it became a symbolic place for pilots:
In 1910, an aviator flew over the chapel and dropped a wreath of flowers.
This gesture launched a tradition of aerial pilgrimages, unique in France.
👉 The chapel thus became the protector of aviators… and also of sailors, with blessings of the sea and sky.
⛪ Religious life and pilgrimages
From 1911 onwards, masses were officially authorized.
From 1916, major pilgrimages brought together civilians and military personnel (several thousand people).
This tradition continued until the 1980s, despite an interruption during the Second World War.
💣 Destruction and reconstruction
In 1945, during the bombings of Royan (end of the war), the chapel was severely damaged.
It was rebuilt in 1947, then restored several times (notably in 1994).
🕊️ Memory and current role
The chapel notably commemorates a bomber crew that crashed nearby in 1945.
Today it is:
open mainly in summer for services
maintained by a local association since 2005
Inside, one can see model airplanes offered as ex-votos, testimonies of gratitude from aviators.
🏗️ Origins (late 19th – early 20th century)
In 1896, the Platin land was purchased by Parisian industrialist Joseph Odelin.
In 1904, he had a small private oratory built, dedicated to the Virgin, capable of accommodating about twenty people.
Faced with the increase in the local population, the chapel was enlarged in 1908, with a larger nave.
✈️ Link with aviation (from 1909)
In 1909, after the exploit of Louis Blériot (crossing the English Channel), the chapel was named “Notre-Dame des Aviateurs”.
Very quickly, it became a symbolic place for pilots:
In 1910, an aviator flew over the chapel and dropped a wreath of flowers.
This gesture launched a tradition of aerial pilgrimages, unique in France.
👉 The chapel thus became the protector of aviators… and also of sailors, with blessings of the sea and sky.
⛪ Religious life and pilgrimages
From 1911 onwards, masses were officially authorized.
From 1916, major pilgrimages brought together civilians and military personnel (several thousand people).
This tradition continued until the 1980s, despite an interruption during the Second World War.
💣 Destruction and reconstruction
In 1945, during the bombings of Royan (end of the war), the chapel was severely damaged.
It was rebuilt in 1947, then restored several times (notably in 1994).
🕊️ Memory and current role
The chapel notably commemorates a bomber crew that crashed nearby in 1945.
Today it is:
open mainly in summer for services
maintained by a local association since 2005
Inside, one can see model airplanes offered as ex-votos, testimonies of gratitude from aviators.
Showing Translation
Tip by
3
2.28 km
Cordouan Lighthouse
Highlight • Other
🏰 Historic
The Cordouan lighthouse, located at the entrance to the Gironde estuary, is one of France's most remarkable maritime monuments. Nicknamed "the king of lighthouses" or "the Versailles of the sea," it has a unique history of over 400 years.
⚓ Origins (14th – 16th century)
As early as the 14th century, a first rudimentary fire tower existed on the Cordouan plateau to signal dangers to sailors.
The estuary was then very dangerous, with numerous shipwrecks, which threatened trade towards Bordeaux.
👑 Construction of the royal lighthouse (1584 – 1611)
The current construction began in 1584 under the reign of Henry III, then continued under Henry IV.
Architect Louis de Foix designed an exceptional building:
* both a lighthouse and a royal prestige monument
* richly decorated (chapel, sculptures, apartments)
It was completed and lit in 1611.
👉 At that time, it was considered an architectural marvel, sometimes compared to the lighthouse of Alexandria.
🔬 Evolutions and modernization (18th – 19th century)
Between 1788 and 1790, engineer Joseph Teulère raised the lighthouse by about 20 meters to improve its visibility.
In 1823, the Fresnel lens was installed, a major innovation that revolutionized lighthouse lighting worldwide.
🏛️ Heritage recognition
Classified as a historic monument as early as 1862, among the very first in France.
Still in operation, it is the oldest French lighthouse still in service.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2021, as a masterpiece of maritime architecture.
⚙️ Contemporary era
The lighthouse was automated in 2006, but remains maintained and monitored by teams.
It is now visited in season and is a major tourist site on the Charente and Gironde coast.
The Cordouan lighthouse, located at the entrance to the Gironde estuary, is one of France's most remarkable maritime monuments. Nicknamed "the king of lighthouses" or "the Versailles of the sea," it has a unique history of over 400 years.
⚓ Origins (14th – 16th century)
As early as the 14th century, a first rudimentary fire tower existed on the Cordouan plateau to signal dangers to sailors.
The estuary was then very dangerous, with numerous shipwrecks, which threatened trade towards Bordeaux.
👑 Construction of the royal lighthouse (1584 – 1611)
The current construction began in 1584 under the reign of Henry III, then continued under Henry IV.
Architect Louis de Foix designed an exceptional building:
* both a lighthouse and a royal prestige monument
* richly decorated (chapel, sculptures, apartments)
It was completed and lit in 1611.
👉 At that time, it was considered an architectural marvel, sometimes compared to the lighthouse of Alexandria.
🔬 Evolutions and modernization (18th – 19th century)
Between 1788 and 1790, engineer Joseph Teulère raised the lighthouse by about 20 meters to improve its visibility.
In 1823, the Fresnel lens was installed, a major innovation that revolutionized lighthouse lighting worldwide.
🏛️ Heritage recognition
Classified as a historic monument as early as 1862, among the very first in France.
Still in operation, it is the oldest French lighthouse still in service.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2021, as a masterpiece of maritime architecture.
⚙️ Contemporary era
The lighthouse was automated in 2006, but remains maintained and monitored by teams.
It is now visited in season and is a major tourist site on the Charente and Gironde coast.
Showing Translation
Tip by
4
2.78 km
A luxurious place from the past
Highlight • Other
Villa Primavera is one of the most famous seaside villas on the Côte de Beauté.
Originally built for a Parisian businessman, Louis-Jean d'Auby, passionate about Romanesque architecture, it has a façade decorated with semicircular arches, sculptures and friezes inspired by the churches of the region. The villa contains a crypt and a medieval-inspired state room with vaults and side aisles.
Today, it has been completely restored and has become a charming 3-star hotel. Now, the residence, which looks very much like a castle, is made up of 3 buildings that welcome you with its 2-hectare wooded park: the main house with 22 rooms, 13 of which have a sea view, the cottage, 6 family rooms and Le Pavillon d'Auby, facing the sea, with its 8 rooms with terrace.
Its restaurant, the 1900 Primavera, offers you refined cuisine exclusively made from fresh products and has two terraces facing the Cordouan lighthouse, an invitation to rest and contemplate over a refreshment or an aperitif. It allows you to enjoy its exceptional view of the estuary. Its Chef Gilles Cormau offers you a cuisine of fresh, local and seasonal products for a Tour de France of flavors oscillating between Land and Sea. Amateurs or connoisseurs, you will find among the many references of our wine list something to satisfy your desires, to give your meal a perfect balance of the senses. Established for three generations, it houses more than 300 wine references, with old vintages for Bordeaux.
Originally built for a Parisian businessman, Louis-Jean d'Auby, passionate about Romanesque architecture, it has a façade decorated with semicircular arches, sculptures and friezes inspired by the churches of the region. The villa contains a crypt and a medieval-inspired state room with vaults and side aisles.
Today, it has been completely restored and has become a charming 3-star hotel. Now, the residence, which looks very much like a castle, is made up of 3 buildings that welcome you with its 2-hectare wooded park: the main house with 22 rooms, 13 of which have a sea view, the cottage, 6 family rooms and Le Pavillon d'Auby, facing the sea, with its 8 rooms with terrace.
Its restaurant, the 1900 Primavera, offers you refined cuisine exclusively made from fresh products and has two terraces facing the Cordouan lighthouse, an invitation to rest and contemplate over a refreshment or an aperitif. It allows you to enjoy its exceptional view of the estuary. Its Chef Gilles Cormau offers you a cuisine of fresh, local and seasonal products for a Tour de France of flavors oscillating between Land and Sea. Amateurs or connoisseurs, you will find among the many references of our wine list something to satisfy your desires, to give your meal a perfect balance of the senses. Established for three generations, it houses more than 300 wine references, with old vintages for Bordeaux.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
5
2.90 km
Carrelets of Saint Palais sur mer
Highlight • Other
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
🐟 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
Showing Translation
Tip by
6
3.51 km
Auture Well
Highlight • Trail
This section of Eurovélo 1 goes from La Rochelle to Royan. At this point on the cycle path, there is a beautiful view of the Puits de l'Auture.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
7
4.31 km
Viewpoint on the Grande Côte
Highlight • Other
From there, you can appreciate this immense white sand beach which stretches as far as the eye can see. If you can't walk it, this is the best thing to do. If you are going to walk, this is a place to visit before or after walking the beach itself.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
8
6.40 km
Fishing Huts on Stilts
Highlight • Structure
The panorama is magnificent... At every turn, nature surprises us.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
B
8.33 km
End point
Parking
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
3.45 km
2.85 km
1.86 km
176 m
Surfaces
3.20 km
2.59 km
1.32 km
1.19 km
< 100 m
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Elevation
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Weather
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Thursday 9 July
34°C
22°C
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Max wind speed: 19.0 km/h
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