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 the length of a long sandy beach, providing residents and visitors alike the calm 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 show/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 over the ocean, the Casino has a wide variety of pastimes, behind its elegant conservatory: games room, bar, restaurant, discotheque, meeting rooms. Its musical air of festivity has been ringing through the town 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 there every 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.
Don’t miss
The beach: the pride of chatelaillon
Châtelaillon beach, a well-known three- kilometre stretch of golden sand, runs alongside the town and has a three different aspects. It offers sports and relaxation to the north, is protected and geared to families in the centre and is much greener to the south. No matter whether you would like to go for a run, lie gazing at the sea or enjoy a tasty snack, there will be something for you in this wonderful setting!
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 of life...
The joy of water
Enjoy a relaxing wellness break: the beneficial effects of sea water through thalassotherapy, special relaxing moments at the Nuxe Spa (Hôtel La Grande Terrasse), or a fun break at the leisure pool. Relish taking the time to take care of yourself.
A special place for kids “Mômes à la plage”
The Châtelaillon-Plage resort is geared to the family and has a children’s club on the sand throughout the summer. This area of the beach is a safe place for kids to have fun from the age of 3, with a playground, storytelling, and sports activities. Your kids can also learn or improve their swimming in a 4 X 8 freshwater beach swimming pool. Parents it’s time to relax!
Enjoying water sports
A sailing club, marina and sports associations are there to share unique sensations with you on the water! You can enjoy catamarans, yachts, kite surfing, paddle boarding, Indonesian pirogues (canoe) or you can learn or improve your skills in your favourite sport in calm surroundings, supervised by professionals.
Get moving and de-stress
Take in some sea air and get moving! During peak season there are a variety of sports 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!
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 opportunity 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...
Les Bouchôleurs: learn about an oyster- farming port
South of the resort, the historic district of Les Bouchôleurs has been given a makeover ! A bustling testimony to this town’s history, this oyster-farming port is still in operation today and has no fewer than 52 farmers. You can enjoy tasting fresh oysters and mussels, directly from the farms, in wooden huts, where you can sit back and relax!
Les Bouchôleurs village, which the people of Châtelaillon feel very strongly about, has undergone considerable urban developments to make it more comfortable for residents and visitors. These were completed in 2017. There is a magnificent new walk along the coast, below the cliff, and it takes you from the town centre to this typical village in just a few minutes. You can continue as far as the marshes of the town of Yves, less than 3 km to the south, on foot or by bike. If you are tired, you can rest a while on benches decorated with mosaics in a circular layout and enjoy listening to the lapping of the waves.
LE GAYA
Dining in Michelin-starred chef’s restaurant
Pierre Gagnaire, a Michelin-starred chef, created Le Gaya in 2017. This elegant restaurant is in an magnificent setting, overlooking the ocean and offering a panoramic view from its terrace. It specialises in seafood cuisine, using local produce. Gourmet restaurant-goers get ready to enjoy a moment of a sheer delight.
BIG EVENTS ALL YEAR ROUND
Festive and happy, every year the resort organises large events bringing together several thousands of people
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 to 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 tradition 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.
THOUSANDS OF CULTURAL RENDEZVOUS!
If you prefer to avoid the crowds and like venturing off the beaten track there are plenty of events for all tastes and many villages organise unusual entertainment linked to their heritage, so feel free to go along!
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