The Tourist Office
Welcome to Châtelaillon-Plage
DOLCE ON THE ATLANTIC COAST
Châtelaillon–Plage is a charming seaside resort on the French Atlantic Coast, ideally located in a beautiful and naturally sheltered spot. The town, which has changed little over the years, stretches alongside a long sandy beach, providing residents and visitors with a wonderfully peaceful setting, all year round, in which to enjoy the company of friends. Welcome to Châtelaillon-Plage!
A seaward outlook
The resort nestles in green marshland surroundings facing the ocean. It is perfectly in tune with the ocean rhythm, gently following the tides. The view from the beach is stunning: Île de Ré and Île d’Oléron (islands) frame the horizon, while the well-known Fort Boyard stands at the centre drawing your eye. At low tide, the glistening shore will tempt you to go shellfish collecting!
Belle-Époque architectural heritage
The many buildings and superb villas from the roaring twenties are a living testimony to the development of the resort at the end of the 19th century and are reminiscent of how people felt before the war. They were carefree, inventive, free, and creative. The architects of the time had only one thing in mind: to stand out! Today the vividly coloured houses with pointed roofs, typical of Châtelaillon-Plage, complement this cheerfully attractive architecture.
A BUSY TOWN CENTRE
Bustling and lively, Châtelaillon-Plage has all the services you need, with shops open all year, cultural and sports facilities open to everyone, health services, etc. You can leave your car behind! Everything is within reach here and the people of Châtelaillon are well-known for their hospitality.
The quintessential market !
Châtelaillon’s covered market is open every morning, 365 days a year! The sight of the fresh local produce on the stalls always sparks a healthy appetite. Served with a smile, fresh flavours from both land and sea arrive directly from the fish-market or neighbouring producers. Feel like living “Châtelaillon-style”? Stop off for a coffee at one of the terraces on the pedestrian street. This is one of the liveliest places in town!
Worth noting: On Tuesday and Friday, a large market fair stretches the length of the main street in the town centre.
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. Ten races are held there every year.
Beauséjour. Where the people of Châtelaillon meet
This majestic Belle-Époque building, housing a cultural centre and conference hall, is a must. Many workshops for adults and children are organized there all year round. It also has reception halls and an auditorium seating 300 people with a rich and varied cultural programme.
Don’t miss
The market at La Rochelle is a must. The magnificent covered market place in the town centre, built in the 19th century, is open every day. On Saturday, the whole area is full of stalls!
THE BEACH A REAL TREASURE
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
Enjoy taking your time. Have a drink on the terrace as the sun sets, go for a walk with your loved-one and enjoy the scent of the sea spray and the everlasting flowers, or have an ice- cream with your feet in the sand. The simplest pleasures become unforgettable memories. The beach is the best place to go to fill up on all these delights!
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 to unwind !
Breathe in that wonderful sea air and get moving! During peak season, there are lots of sports available at the beach: beach volleyball, beach rugby, gym and fitness, kung-fu, sea walking, Zumba party, etc.
A sports centre in the open air
If you do not feel like joining a group, the seafront has been designed for keen runners and cyclists to enjoy their sport without being disturbed and it is highly prized. South of this, there is a coastal walk with an open-air work-out area open to everyone. Heart rate, stretching, weights, etc. Enjoy testing yourself on this sports apparatus with a breathtaking view of the ocean !
THE « CHÂTELAILLON LIFR STYLE »
At Châtelaillon-Plage we like to share our lovely way of life! So we provide many opportunities to meet people, discuss things, and learn about local flavours. We enjoy meeting up with family and friends for the resort’s big festivities, punctuating the seasons. What could be better than a drink with your feet in the sand as the sun sets, tasting the local produce at a restaurant, or having a coffee on a terrace before heading off to look around the market ?
Local flavours
40 restaurants to choose from What will tickle your fancy this time? Gastronomic menu, seafood platter, a quick meal? Terrace with sea view, straw hut on the beach, Belle-Époque restaurant? With more than 40 restaurants throughout the town, Châtelaillon has 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
Free shows all summer long !
In July and August, the resort proposes three free shows a week! The green theatre in the middle of the park, is the site for concerts, plays, and shows for children.
April: Kite and wind Festival
For three days, enjoy watching flying objects dance around the sky, much to the pleasure of adults and children alike. It’s a joy to admire a blend of poetry and technical skills at this event on the beach.
June: Châtel en Fête
The whole town comes to life for two days of festivities and shows. Leading these are the people of Châtelaillon, who love to dress up in costumes especially for the event!
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” (mussel speciality) and free tasting, oyster- eating competition, football competition in the mud flats, etc.
December: Living nativity scene and illuminations
A few days before Christmas, a troop of 70 comedians take over the Church square to tell the tale of the Nativity in a friendly atmosphere. The enchanting illuminations decorating the town for Christmas and the small traditional 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