The Tourist Office
Welcome to Châtelaillon-Plage
DOLCE ON THE ATLANTIC COAST
Chatelaillon-Plage is a charming seaside resort ideally located on the French Atlantic Coast. The town, little changed over the years, runs adjacent to a long sandy beach, providing residents and visitors alike the tranquil setting for enjoying the company of friends - pleasant all year round thanks to the natural shelter that Châtelaillon benefits from.
A seaward outlook
The ocean facing resort is nestled beside green marshland; the rhythm of life follows the tides, perfectly in tune with the ocean. Looking out from the beach your eyes will fall upon Ile de Ré and Île d’Oléron, framing the horizon, and the famous Fort Boyard standing in the centre. At low tide, the shimmering shore might tempt you out shellfish collecting.
Belle-Époque architectural heritage
The collection of buildings and villas from the roaring twenties is the legacy of the resort’s development at the close of the 19th century and are reminiscent of pre war sentiment. It was an era characterised by the carefree, creative, inventive and free, a time when architects had only one thing in mind: to stand out! Today the more recent additions of brightly hued homes with pointed roofs, typical of Chatelaillon, complement the cheerful and attractive Belle époque architecture.
A BUSY TOWN CENTRE
Bustling and lively, Châtelaillon-Plage has all the services you might need, plenty of shops, cultural and sports facilities open to everyone, health services…. And you can leave the car behind, everything is within reach on foot. The notoriously hospitable people of Châtelaillon are always waiting to welcome new faces.
The quintessential market !
Châtelaillon’s indoor market is open every morning, 365 days a year! The fresh local produce on display certainly sparks a healthy appetite. Served with a smile, fresh flavours from land and sea are sourced directly from the fish-market and regional producers. Feel like living ‘Châtelaillon-style’? Stop off for a coffee at one of terraces on the pedestrian market street. Don’t miss the outdoor market that unfolds along this central street and the adjacent boulevard every Tuesday and Friday morning.
Casino: faites vos jeux!
Looking out onto the ocean, the Casino offers a variety of pastimes beyond its elegant conservatory: there is a games room, a bar, a restaurant, a discotheque and meeting rooms. The casino and its festivities have been a central feature of the resort for over a century.
Adrenaline at the racecourse
The racecourse was entirely renovated in 2013 and specialises in harness racing. There are ten races held each year.
Beauséjour
This majestic Belle-Époque building houses a conference hall in addition to the cultural centre, with reception halls and an auditorium seating 300 people. Throughout the year the centre has a rich and diverse cultural programme with workshops, shows, concerts and festivities for adults and children.
THE BEACH: THE PRIDE OF CHATELAILLON
Châtelaillon’s beach, a highly acclaimed 3km stretch of gorgeous, golden sand, runs the length of the town. The northern end is geared for sports and relaxation, the central zone protected and designed for families, and to the south, greener and natural, untouched.
Slow life at the seaside
Have a drink on a terrace overlooking the sunset, take a stroll along the promenade with a loved one, breathing in the sea air and the scent of everlasting flowers, or treat yourself to an ice-cream, with your feet in the sand. The sea front is the perfect place to get your fill of the simple pleasures, the finer moments in life...
A special place for kids “Mômes à la plage”
Families can profit all summer long from the child friendly resort, equipped with a central section on the beach that serves as a dedicated and safe area for children to play. Parents- it's time to relax! The children’s club on the sand runs throughout the summer season and offers storytelling, sports and other activities. They can even work on their swimming at the 4x8metre freshwater swimming pool on the beach!
Enjoying water sports
Take your pick from the range of water sports associations based at the marina: catamarans, yachts, kite surfing, paddle boarding, Indonesian pirogues (a kind of canoe)... Work on your skills in your favourite sport or try something completely new! A fun and unique experience on the water is assured, and facilitated by the supervision of the many seasoned professionals around.
Get moving and de-stress
Take in some sea air and get moving! During peak season there are countless sports sessions on offer at the beach: beach volleyball, beach rugby, gym and fitness, kung fu, walks in the sea...
A sports centre in the open air
Those who favour exercising alone, in peace, can profit from a sea front designed with runners and cyclists in mind. In addition to the main promenade, there is a coastal walk and outdoor gym where you can practise cardio, stretching, resistance exercises...naturally, complete with a complimentary ocean view, breathtaking!
Family fun at the 'centre aquatique 29°'
Just a few metres from the beach and the marina you can find Châtelaillon-Plage’s prized aquatic centre serving as an alternative bathing space away from the beach. What’s on offer? There are five indoor and outdoor pools, 3 water slides (one at a height of 110m!), a grassy outdoor picnic area, restaurant, wellness space, hamman, Jacuzzi…
Inside there are two pools at your disposal. For the athletes, a 25m pool, and a second pool adapted to family fun measuring 250m², both heated to a very agreeable 29°, in addition to Jacuzzis heated to 34°. Profit from the fresh air on sunny days have a swim outside! There are three outdoor pools to choose from! The kids will have the time of their life on the new 200m² sea and beach themed outdoor play area. A 3 metre high pelican, water bell and canons, a turtle and the ‘super splash’... an attraction that is full of surprises! For the younger children there is a dedicated paddling pool and play area.
Summer opening hours:
- Monday to Friday 10am to 8pm
- Saturday 11.15am to 8pm
- Sunday 9am to 8pm
The joy of water
The hotel ‘La Grande Terrasse’, home to the Nuxe Spa, leisure pools and the star of the show, Châtelaillon’s thalassotherapy, invites you to take moment’s break for a wellness retreat.
Completely renovated in 2018, the thalassotherapy spa offers an intense moment of relaxation. The expansive complex is home to two separate spaces designed for health and wellness. Behind huge bay windows is the wellness centre where you can reap the benefits of thalassotherapy in a sea water course heated to 32°. Additionally the centre offers an outdoor ‘river’ and Jacuzzi, hammans, sauna, swimming pool to complete the luxury bathing experience. And if that’s not enough, step into the modern, peaceful and subdued atmosphere of the alternative beauty space and take your pick from what’s on offer in one of the many treatment rooms.
THE 'CHÂTELAILLON LIFE STYLE'
At Châtelaillon-Plage, we love to welcome new faces to come and have a taste of our way of life. We have a busy programme of events and large-scale festivities which are the perfect occasion to meet up and spend quality time with family and friends. Outside of these festivities there is always the opportunity to meet up, have a chat and discover the local flavours. There’s not much better than enjoying a drink with your feet in the sand at sunset, tasting local produce at a restaurant or sipping on a coffee at a terrace before heading off to the market.
Local flavours
With 40 restaurants to choose from, diverse in both cuisine and ambience, what will tickle your fancy? Seafood platter, fine-dining or a quick bite? Terrace with a sea view, straw-hut on the beach or a Belle-Epoque restaurant? There’s always something to whet your appetite...
LE GAYA: Michelin-star dining
Pierre Gagnaire, a Michelin-starred chef, created Le Gaya in 2017, an elegant restaurant overlooking the ocean with an unobstructed panoramic view from the terrace. The quality of the cuisine matches the splendour of the prime location, offering a menu based off of coastal fishing and fresh and seasonal produce, seafood is the speciality. Romantic dinner for two, a meal with the family, business lunch or a cocktail dinner? Whatever the occasion, Pierre Gagnaire TT’s ‘Gaya’ by the sea provides made-to-measure fine dining.
Les Bouchôleurs
South of the resort, discover the traditional and historic village of Les Boucholeurs . This oyster farming port endures, still operational today with no fewer than 52 farmers. Why not pass an afternoon tasting fresh oysters and mussels at one of the farming cabins?
The village, which holds a special place in the hearts of the Châtelaillonais has undergone considerable urban development, completed in 2017, to the benefit of residents and visitors alike. Amongst the new additions is a new coastal walk below the cliff which takes you from the town centre to the village in a matter of minutes. Continue further and you will arrive at the marshes in the town of Yves, less than 3km away and conveniently also accessible on bike. And if you need to, take a break on the ‘Rotonde’: a stunning and vivid new feature at the meeting point of the communes Châtelaillon and Yves. The circular installation, constructed in beautiful mosaic holds benches and looks out over the sea, providing the ideal spot to take a moment of peace, soak up a little sun and be calmed by the gentle rhythm of the lapping tide.
WHAT'S ON THE PROGRAMME?
The resort takes advantage of its ample open space and pleasant climate to offer a busy programme of events and festivities all year round.
Free shows all summer long!
The resort puts on three shows a week in the months of July and August. The open air theatre in the centre of the park welcomes concerts, balls and diverse spectacles for the kids.
April: wind and kite Festival
In April Châtelaillon-Plage’s ever expanding wind and kite festival takes place: three days of aerial displays showcasing both artistry and technical skills, to the pleasure of adults and children alike. Each year the festival unfolds along the length of the beach welcomes regional, national and even international kite flyers and visitors.
June: Châtel en Fête
The whole town comes alive for a weekend of festivities and spectacle. At the heart of the event are the local ‘Châtelaillonnais’, who spend the year preparing their interpretation of the theme and take great pleasure in dressing up and putting on their show!
August: La Fête des Bouchôleurs
The oyster-farming traditions of the village of Les Bouchôleurs hold pride of place for a Sunday full of entertainment: Gigantic “éclade” (a speciality dish made with mussels), free tasting, an oyster- eating competition, a football competition in the mud flats and other surprises.
December: Living nativity scene and illuminations
In the lead up to Christmas, a troop of 70 comedians take over the Church Square to tell the tale of the Nativity in a friendly atmosphere. The enchanting installations that illuminate the town and the small traditional Christmas market create a magical atmosphere.
TAKE YOUR PICK OF CULTURAL RENDEZVOUS!
If you’d prefer to get away from the crowds and venture off the beaten track don’t hesitate to explore the surrounding towns and villages, where you’ll find a number of unique and interesting cultural and events and festivities drawing on local traditions and heritage.
Châtelaillon is conveniently located in proximity to the principal regional attractions. A tour of La Rochelle is essential, with visits to the old port, emblematic towers, the famous arcaded streets, aquarium and huge variety of bars, restaurants, terraces, museums... The town is a matter of minutes away on the train, or take the scenic cycle path.
Don’t miss the indoor market, housed in a market hall constructed in the 19th century and open every day. Every Saturday the square and adjacent streets are buzzing with even more local producers as the market extends outside.
For amateurs of maritime architecture, head to Rochefort-sur-Mer and its arsenal constructed under Colbert during the reign of Louis XIV; the Corderie Royale, the famous replicate frigate the Hermione and aerial ferry bridge are also must see sites to visit in the area.
And for nature lovers, take a trip to Marais-Poitevin for a boat ride through the canals of the well preserved wetland.
RECEPTION DESK OPENING HOURS
October to march : Monday to Friday: from 2pm to 6pm
April, May, June and September : Monday to Saturday: from 9am to 12am and from 2pm to 6pm
July and August : Monday to Saturday: from 9am to 7pm - Sunday : from 10am to 6pm