History and tradition of Châtelaillon-Plage as a seaside resort

Châtelaillon-Plage, a creation of the “Belle Epoque”

A seaside town situated a few miles south of La Rochelle, the resort of Châtelaillon came into being in the late 19th century, in response to the fashion for sea bathing.
Luxury villas were built by the middle classes of La Rochelle, as well as a casino in 1893, and, with the engineering of the beach and an esplanade, Châtelaillon-Plage had become a fashionable and popular leisure resort by the beginning of the 20th century. 

1989: Restoring the beach

Under pressure from wind and tides, the beach was gradually eaten away.
In 1989, it was restored: 500,000 m3 of sand were used to reconstruct more than 2.5km of beaches.
The esplanade was refurbished, with the casino rebuilt in its original style. The town was re-equipped with a wealth of new facilities, making it a place for an unforgettable holiday.
As a result of the care lavished on the historic seaside villas and the town’s contemporary buildings, Châtelaillon has both an old-fashioned charm and modern amenities.  

Les Boucholeurs

The village of Les Boucholeurs, just south of the town, bears witness to Châtelaillon’s origins as a centre of shellfish and oyster farming. You can reach the village, with its well-preserved fisherman’s cottages, by following the cliff-top path.
Walk along Les Boucholeurs beach to discover the harbour and settlement.
This is a great place for gathering shellfish when the tide goes out. There are clams, cockles and other crustaceans in abundance.
Every year, in August, the village of Les Boucholeurs celebrates its cultural heritage by holding a traditional festival. Games on the foreshore, a giant clam bake, a craft market, oyster-tasting and more - a day of activities which captures the atmosphere of an oyster-farming village.  

Châtelaillon-Plage today

Proud of its origins and history, Châtelaillon-Plage is a great place to live.
Its well-preserved setting, with more than 2.5 km of fine sandy beach, a casino, 29°C water park, a thalassotherapy centre, and many organised activities during the season, ensure that you will spend a memorable holiday. 

The discovery trail

Learn about the history of Châtelaillon-Plage by following the 11-kilometre discovery trail
Informative signs along the route recount the key events in the history of the local area.