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Commune in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
Photo: FrenchCobber, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
La Tremblade is a port town and seaside resort on the Arvert peninsula in Charente-Maritime, southwestern France. This small town with about 4,500 inhabitants (about 10,000 when including the surrounding villages), and famous for its flat oysters just like the surrounding Marennes-Oléron region.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Phare de la Coubre
The red and white lighthouse near the Pointe de la Coubre sits on moving sandbanks watching over the incoming waves of the ocean. Built in 1904, it's not the first lighthouse here, but earlier construction have fallen victim to erosion. When the lighthouse was finished it was almost 2 km from the coastline, now it is just 150 m away. You can walk 300 steps up to the viewing platform to views of tens of kilometres including the Coubre Forest, the Gironde estuary, Île d'Oléron and the Côte Sauvage. Next to the lighthouse is a museum about the lighthouses that have functioned here and their equipment (admission is included in the ticket to the lighthouse). On Facebook.
Église du Sacré-Cœur
Neo-Gothic church from the 1880s, built as the earlier church became too small for the growing number of worshippers. The bell tower was damaged in a storm in 1999 and partially rebuilt. It has beautiful stained windows from the early 20th century, a crafted altar and a modern work of art named Polyptyque de la croix by artist Michel Genty.
Temple protestant
The church was dedicated on 24 August 1823, the anniversary of the Saint Barthélémy massacre. A testimony to the Protestant heritage of the peninsula, the design was inspired by neoclassicism, and has doric columns framing the front door and two oculi on the façade.
Port de La Grève
The most important oyster port in France, along a 2.5 km long canal connecting central La Tremblade (Place Faure-Marchand) with the Seudre estuary. It is bordered by lively painted huts that are illuminated at night during the season, and at that time festivities with fireworks take place. Traditional fishing boats sail the canal. At the end of the canal there's a viewpoint with views to Marennes and Île d'Oléron, as well as restaurants and souvenir shops.
Plages du Pertuis de Maumusson
In the northwest of the municipality there are four beaches with view to the southern end of Île d'Oléron. The sand banks protect swimmers from currents, and the water tends to somewhat warmer here as it moves around less. Starting from the north, Mus-du-Loup beach is near the Seudre bridge and the mouth of the river. This beach is more for sunbathing than swimming because the water is often muddy. Cèpe beach is just west of Ronce-les-Bains, and is accessed by an avenue. It has a beach club and picnic tables. Further west are the less busier beaches of Galon d'Or and L'Embellie.
Plages de la Côte sauvage
Making up the western flank of the municipality, the "wild coast" is a stretch of about 20 km of white sand beaches, facing the ocean directly. Five sections have been developed for swimming, but given the currents and waves, swimmers need to be careful, especially with children. The beaches popular with surfers, though. Plage de la pointe Espagnole is the northernmost, is surveilled by lifeguards during the summer months and has a snack bar and a dedicated parking lot. South of it is the naturist beach with the same name. Then comes Plage de la Bouverie which likewise has lifeguards, a snack bar and a parking lot and Plage du Vieux-Phare which has no services. The southernmost, partially in the municipality of Mathes, is Plage du phare de la Coubre near the lighthouse with parking and lifeguards - this is the beach with the strongest currents.
Forêt de la Coubre
One of the largest forests in Poitou-Charentes, it covers an area of 8000 hectares and extends to four municipalities. This pine forest was planted in the 19th century to stop the movement of the sand dunes, and has a characteristic similar to the nearby Landes de Gascogne forest, though many other tree species grow here. Wildlife includes deer, wild boars, birds and insects. There are around 25 km of biking paths, and 50 km of riding and hiking paths in the forest (also the long distance hiking trail GR4 goes through here). Near Galon d'Or there's a small lagoon.
Celebrations in the port of Grève, featuring music, comedy and dance shows, displays of old cars and motorcycles and a firework show.
The other party in the port, a bit later in the summer. It includes musical performances, water games and different competitions, a flower parade, and a fireworks show.
The 21 km railway section from Saujon to La Tremblade was turned into a tourist railway in the 1980s. The "train of the seagulls" is hauled by the oldest working steam locomotive in France, at a speed of 30 km/h across the marshes of Seudre and past the oyster basins. There are also three diesel locomotives being used. On the way the train also stops in the oyster port of Chaillevette, and in Mornac-sur-Seudre which is listed as one of the most beautiful villages of France (les plus beaux villages de France). On Facebook.
The passenger boats Le Balusot and Le Vauban sail across the Seudre estuary to Marennes and to Saint-Trojan-les-Bains on Île d'Oléron. It's possible to bring a bike on the boat. On Facebook.
Cruises to the sea. One tour goes to the Fort Boyard (just seen from the boat) and to l'île d'Aix and its fortifications. Another "île d'Aix" cruise approaches île d'Oléron with its citadel of Château-d'Oléron, Fort-Louvois, circulating Fort Boyard and stops for an hour on île d'Aix. On Facebook.
Cruises and fishing trips to the Marennes-Oléron bassin and the islands in the Charente archipelago such as the Oléron, d'Aix, Madame, de Ré islands. The ship El Sol is for fishing tours, and the El Campo for cruises.
The main sports venue in town, the home fields of the local rugby (Union Sportive Trembladaise Rugby) and football (Presqu'île d'Arvert Football Club) teams.
Open around the year, this place has 19 different tennis courts.
A large complex covering much of the coast of Ronce-les-Bains offering water sports equipment rental (catamarans, sailboats, SUP boards, canoes, kayaks) and sailing courses for children and adults. On Facebook.
A beach-break/shore-break spot near the lighthouse at the municipal border with Mathes. It's a popular spot for surfing, windsurfing and skimboarding.
Established in 1993 and affiliated with the Fédération française de surf, it's the main surf club of the greater Royan region. On Facebook.
Surfing school with classes for people of all ages, also surfing trips around the region and beyond. On Facebook.
Gym with facilities for gymnastics, stretching, muscle building and aerobics. On Facebook.
Bodybuilding and weightlifting gym.
In the summertime there are free gymnastics sessions on Cèpe plage in the morning twice a week, arranged by the municipal government.
One of the biggest Ferris wheels in France is installed each summer on Place Brochard. From the wheel there are amazing views all over the region.
Likewise on Place Brochard, a funfair is set up each summer since the 1950s. There are all kinds of activities from ball shooting to trampolines.
Beach activities for children with swimming classes and inflatable structures.
La Tremblade's cinema, in a building with an art deco façade.
Together with the casino in Royan, the second casino in the greater Royan area. It has a gambling room with slot machines, electronic roulette, black jack and some other games, a lounge bar and a brasserie with local cuisine. Themed nights every now and then. On Facebook.
A Le kiosque à pizzas franchise with take away pizza. On Facebook.
The pizzeria has its name from the former address (on Boulevard du Maréchal Joffre), but its mascot "the fishing rabbit" is maybe more fitting for the port. They offer a range of original pizzas such as Armenian, Basque, Catalan, Marseillaise, tajine, wild coast and so on, but also pasta, lasagne and salads. Free delivery to La Tremblade and surrounding villages.
Fast food place with sandwiches, hamburgers, panini and kebabs. They also have ice cream (traditional and Italian style), crepes, waffles, churros and croustillons (oliebollen, Dutch fritters).
Pizzeria where you can eat in or take away. Some specialties include Charentais, Oriental, American and Hawaiian pizza.
Italian restaurant specializing in pizzas, salads and seafood. They also have moules-frites and grilled meat on the menu.
Fish and seafood restaurant with local specialties including plates with oysters.
Serving regional specialties with the traditional recipes changed a bit. Both seafood and products of the land on the menu. The restaurant has a shaded terrace next to the canal as well as indoor dining rooms with panoramic views.
Seafood brasserie near the beach.
Brasserie in a former post office. Local specialties with a twist such as duck breast, grilled sardines and prawns with avocado tartare but also serving burgers with fries. Has a terrace.
Also known as Chez les Filles ("at the girls'") as it has an all-female staff, it was the first restaurant in the port to have a terrace built. It specializes in crepes, galettes and salads, and you can also get oysters here.
Restaurant with seafood but also crepes, galettes and pizza on the menu.
Seafood, meat and salad on the menu, including oysters, mussels, prawns prepared in different ways and mixed seafood pot.
A cozy bar with Bordeaux wines and cocktails. There's a terrace and occasionally live concerts.
Right in the middle of La Tremblade, here you can enjoy a good beer, coffee or hot chocolate.
The bar of the casino. Cocktails from around the world and special coffees. Cozy ambience.
A vast choice of cocktails based on rum, champagne, whiskey or tequila, long drinks, shots, hot cocktails and beers from all over the world. On summer nights there's often live music. The place has an ice cream bar too.
Two-star campsite with 100 places near the point of Mus de Loup, the Seudre estuary and the beaches.
Aire de service camping-cars de La Tremblade
Camping area owned by the municipality with 49 places, each with an electrical outlet (16 amperes). You may stay for at most three consecutive nights, though this is a good option for shorter stays as many other campsites just take reservation for whole weeks.
formerly Hôtel de France
Hotel facing the market square with tv and Internet access in the rooms.
A "hotel guesthouse" with large rooms, each equipped with toilets and bathrooms. Pets are welcome.
A cabin complex of 12 hectares in the Coubre forest, this place has facilities for a lot of different activities; two pools, 16 pétanque fields, basket, football, volley ball and tennis courts. It also has a restaurant and a fast food place.
former Grand Hôtel de L'Embarcadère
Featured on the L'hôtel de la Plage tv show, this hotel with 60 rooms has a spa, a wellness center, a beauty salon, a bar with a beach terrace, a tennis court and a pétanque area.
17 rooms each with private bathroom and tv room. It has a bar with a covered terrace.
Downtown hotel with nine rooms, each equipped with private bathroom, tv and wi-fi. It has a tea salon where you can enjoy cakes and ice cream.
Guesthouse with two rooms rentable for a night in low season, and for a week during the summer. Rooms have bathrooms and tv, and uests can use the fridge and microwave oven. On Facebook.
A vacation village in Ronce-les-Bains with 292 rooms rentable for whole weeks. Rooms have tv, telephone and fridge. The place has a heated pool, two pools for kids, tennis, volley ball and boule courts, and a sauna. There's also a souvenir shop, a restaurant, a snack kiosk and a bar. On Facebook.
Three star camping with 89 places with a heated pool, and two smaller cabins for kids, a playing area, a library and a tv room. In the evenings there are aquagym, zumba, aquabasket and even archery classes. The snack bar Alizée-les-Pins offers pizzas, different take-away dishes, bread, drinks, ice cream and crepes. On Facebook.
Supermarket.
Supermarket with bakery, butcher shop and filling station.
The main mall of the city with a hypermarket 3000 m2 in size.
The only supermarket in central La Tremblade.
By train
La Tremblade's railway station is just served by the tourist train Le train des mouettes. The closest railway stations with scheduled service are in Saujon and Royan are about 20 km away.
By plane
There are general aviation fields in Marennes and Royan. The closest passenger airports are in Bordeaux (115 km south) and La Rochelle (55 km north).
By bus
Intercity buses don't go to La Tremblade, just to Rochefort (25 km away) and Saintes (40 km away). The departmental Cara-bus has bus lines to La Tremblade, most importantly lines 6 and 115 from Royan.
By bike
La Tremblade is on the long distance biking route EuroVelo 1 between Norway and Portugal, following the coast.
By car
Getting in and around the town and municipality by car is usually hassle-free around the year. The exception would be the seaside hamlet of Ronce-les-Bains which gets busy in July and August.
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