Châtelaillon-Plage is a commune in the Charente-Maritime department in southwestern France (Nouvelle-Aquitaine).

It’s a popular stop on the Atlantic resorts of France.

Today this Atlantic resort combines the retro charm of a « Belle Epoque » and a XXI century modernity.

It is located between the city of Rochefort and the city of La Rochelle.

From the history prior to the nineteenth century, there are still a few agricultural and oyster buildings (village of Boucholeurs). It was only at the end of the nineteenth century, with the appearance of the railway, that the seaside resort was made to accommodate the first lovers of sea bathing; more than 1,500 villas had been built by the beginning of the twentieth century.

Tourism and leisure

Beauséjour was built at the end of the nineteenth century during the installation of the Châtelaillon-Plage station and its development as a seaside resort. Its first vocation was the hotel industry. At the beginning of the twentieth century, it became a summer camp and then housed the Châtelaillon-Plage nursery school before being completely renovated in 2007. This magnificent mansion is today a cultural space and a place of leisure for the people of Châtelaillonnais.

A first “Tournesol” swimming pool, resulting from a national construction program, was created in 1975 in Châtelaillon-Plage. The Aquatic Center succeeded him and opened its doors in June 1991. Two indoor pools, two Jacuzzis, two outdoor pools, two giant slides constitute it.

Casino was built in 1893 when Châtelaillon turned into a sought-after seaside resort. After damage caused by World War II, the entrance was rebuilt, a cinema was installed as well as an open-air performance hall. Destroyed during the second half of the twentieth century, it was rebuilt identically. It is still the central place for Châtelaillonnaise evenings with its restaurant, nightclub (La Licorne) and games room.

The resort is crossed by the EuroVelo 1 cycle route (also known in its French part as the “Vélodyssée”) which connects Norway to Portugal. The city became part of the La Tour de France 2020 competition.

Beaches

Total length of the beach is 3 km. Officially divided into three beaches, the locals speak of each of them separately or name it Big Beach (it is the largest beach in the area between La Rochelle and Rochfort). The north beach is located at the entrance of the sea boulevard. The main beach faces the casino, in the centre of the 3 km stretch. The south beach is located near the marina and the best place for water sports (kitesurf, canoeing, kite and yachting). All three beaches are sandy and suitable for kids.

Shopping

Shopping is not priority on the tourist program.

Restaurants

Best restaurants are located on the waterfront. There is one Michelin list restaurant in the city: Les Flots 52 boulevard de la Mer, 31 – 58 EUR • Modern Cuisine (no stars)

Transport and how to get to?

The town is served by TER Nouvelle-Aquitaine to La Rochelle, Rochefort and Saintes, but also by Corail Intercités to Nantes or Bordeaux. The service is also improved in the summer season, in order to guarantee optimal access to the station for holidaymakers arriving by TGV at La Rochelle-Ville station.

Shortest distance by car:

• From Paris (tolls): 4 hr 52 min (483 km) via A10
• From Rochefort: 25 min (24.6 km) via D137
• From Le Château-d’Oléron: 54 min (56.5 km) via D137
• From Niort: 1 h 1 min (73.6 km) via N11
• From Saintes: 46 min (63.2 km) via A837
• From La Baule-Escoublac (tolls): 2 h 41 min (225 km) via A83
• From Saint-Nazaire (tolls): 2 h 38 min (211 km) via A83
• From Pornic (tolls): 2 h 23 min (191 km) via A83
• From Les Sables-d’Olonne: 1 h 49 min (114 km) via D949
• From Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie (tolls): 2 h 1 min (139 km) via D948
• From Noirmoutier-en-l’Île (tolls): 2 h 39 min (181 km) via D948
• From Jard-sur-Mer (tolls): 1 h 28 min (92.6 km) via D949
• From Nantes (tolls): 1 h 52 min (147 km) via A83
• From Cognac (tolls): 1 h 11 min (93.2 km) via A837
• From Angoulême (tolls): 1 h 46 min (140 km) via N141 and A837
• From Arcachon (tolls): 2 h 29 min (239 km) via A10
• From Royan: 1 h 1 min (63.0 km) via D733
• From Biarritz (tolls): 3 h 44 min (369 km) via A63 and A10
• From Bayonne (tolls): 3 h 30 min (358 km) via A63 and A10
• From Dax (tolls): 3 h 16 min (320 km) via A63 and A10
• From Saumur: 2 h 32 min (203 km) via D938
• From Bordeaux (tolls): 1 h 55 min (173 km) via A10
• From La Rochelle: 25 min (15.6 km) via D137
• From Toulouse (tolls): 3 h 58 min (412 km) via A62 and A10
• From Carcassonne (tolls): 4 h 44 min (501 km) via A62
• From Monaco (tolls): 9 h 14 min (991 km) via A62
• From Nice (tolls): 9 h 2 min (969 km) via A62
• From Cannes (tolls): 8 h 47 min (942 km) via A62
• From Saint-Tropez (tolls): 8 h 44 min (914 km) via A62
• From Marseille (tolls): 7 h 32 min (811 km) via A62
• From Avignon (tolls): 6 h 51 min (738 km) via A62
• From Montpellier (tolls): 6 h 6 min (651 km) via A62
  
• From Béziers (tolls): 5 h 29 min (589 km) via A62
  
• From Perpignan (tolls): 5 h 40 min (615 km) via A62
• From Narbonne (tolls): 5 h 13 min (559 km) via A61 and A62
• From Andorra (tolls): 6 h 14 min (592 km) via A62

Main information

Area: 6.6 sq. km

Population: 5 900

Languages: French

Currency: euro

Visa: Schengen

Time: Central European UTC +1

GPS coordinates: 46°04′27″N 1°05′12″W

See here best sea and ocean resorts of France and Spain

See also France travel guide

See also Spain travel guide

See also Pyrenees travel guide

See also Andorra travel guide

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