Côte Sauvage, which translates as “wild side” in English, and known as the “wild coast” of Brittany, is a stretch of untamed beauty in the Charente-Maritime department on the Atlantic seaboard of France. Rocky cliffs, dramatic seascapes, sandy beaches and thumping waves are set against a backdrop of towering pine forests. And in the middle of it all, the Arche de Port Blanc – a dramatic arch in the rocks formed, over time, by sea erosion.
It’s little wonder that Dominic Earle, editor of France: Time Out’s Perfect Places has labelled Côte Sauvage as France’s best wild beach. As he puts it, “the gloriously unspoilt Côte Sauvage is hemmed in by the towering pines of the Forêt de la Coubre. It’s only accessible by a good 10-minute hike [or bike] from the D25 between Ronce-les-Bains and La Palmyre. After a slog up the dunes and through the coarse beach grass, the reward is 30km of unadulterated white sand and Atlantic rollers. There’s not a beach umbrella or souvenir shop in sight.”
This stretch of coast also frequently sits atop lists of France’s most scenic roads. Take a drive on the wild side to see why.
Start near La Palmyre, north of Royan, and take the D25 towards Ronce-les-Bains. This scenic route, about 20 kilometres long, take you from the coast through the forest, la Forêt de la Coubre, a huge pine and green oak forest planted in the 19th century to stop erosion.
If you have the time, stop in at La Tremblade: a picturesque oyster-farming village where you can taste freshly caught oysters or dine on mussels baked under pine needles, a local speciality. Insider tip: pair your mussels with a side of cider. When in Rome… or Côte Sauvage as the case may be.
Finally, whatever you do, post-indulgence, do make time for a walk on one of the most unspoilt beaches left on this good earth.
If you have a really special photograph you would like to share with A Luxury Travel Blog‘s readers, please contact us.
Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years. He is Winner of the Innovations in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog has also been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Daily Telegraph.
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4 Comments
Congratulations on a great photo. Pictures like that just don’t happen. I know that a lot of planning and timing went into it. Also you do have to have the weather Gods on your side too.
I always think that the test of a good travel photograph is a combo of two thoughts. “I wish I was there” and “I wish that I’d taken that photo.” This one’s a winner on both counts.
The Arche de Port Blanc definitely makes for an excellent photo opportunity, especially with the sun sparkling through the arch. We often see sea erosion as a having a damaging, destruction effect, yet it has created something beautiful with this rock formation. It’s easy to see why Côte Sauvage tops tourist must-see lists, and it’s wonderful that so much of the area is unspoiled by the 21st century encroaching upon it with tourist shops and fast food outlets and litter. Let’s hope it stays that way.
It’s little wonder that Dominic Earle, editor of France: Time Out’s Perfect Places has labelled Côte Sauvage as France’s best wild beach. As he puts it, “the gloriously unspoilt Côte Sauvage is hemmed in by the towering pines of the Forêt de la Coubre. It’s only accessible by a good 10-minute hike [or bike] from the D25 between Ronce-les-Bains and La Palmyre. After a slog up the dunes and through the coarse beach grass, the reward is 30km of unadulterated white sand and Atlantic rollers. There’s not a beach umbrella or souvenir shop in sight.”
This stretch of coast also frequently sits atop lists of France’s most scenic roads. Take a drive on the wild side to see why.
Start near La Palmyre, north of Royan, and take the D25 towards Ronce-les-Bains. This scenic route, about 20 kilometres long, take you from the coast through the forest, la Forêt de la Coubre, a huge pine and green oak forest planted in the 19th century to stop erosion.
If you have the time, stop in at La Tremblade: a picturesque oyster-farming village where you can taste freshly caught oysters or dine on mussels baked under pine needles, a local speciality. Insider tip: pair your mussels with a side of cider. When in Rome… or Côte Sauvage as the case may be.
Finally, whatever you do, post-indulgence, do make time for a walk on one of the most unspoilt beaches left on this good earth.
If you have a really special photograph you would like to share with A Luxury Travel Blog‘s readers, please contact us.
It’s little wonder that Dominic Earle, editor of France: Time Out’s Perfect Places has labelled Côte Sauvage as France’s best wild beach. As he puts it, “the gloriously unspoilt Côte Sauvage is hemmed in by the towering pines of the Forêt de la Coubre. It’s only accessible by a good 10-minute hike [or bike] from the D25 between Ronce-les-Bains and La Palmyre. After a slog up the dunes and through the coarse beach grass, the reward is 30km of unadulterated white sand and Atlantic rollers. There’s not a beach umbrella or souvenir shop in sight.”
This stretch of coast also frequently sits atop lists of France’s most scenic roads. Take a drive on the wild side to see why.
Start near La Palmyre, north of Royan, and take the D25 towards Ronce-les-Bains. This scenic route, about 20 kilometres long, take you from the coast through the forest, la Forêt de la Coubre, a huge pine and green oak forest planted in the 19th century to stop erosion.
If you have the time, stop in at La Tremblade: a picturesque oyster-farming village where you can taste freshly caught oysters or dine on mussels baked under pine needles, a local speciality. Insider tip: pair your mussels with a side of cider. When in Rome… or Côte Sauvage as the case may be.
Finally, whatever you do, post-indulgence, do make time for a walk on one of the most unspoilt beaches left on this good earth.
If you have a really special photograph you would like to share with A Luxury Travel Blog‘s readers, please contact us.
Congratulations on a great photo. Pictures like that just don’t happen. I know that a lot of planning and timing went into it. Also you do have to have the weather Gods on your side too.
I always think that the test of a good travel photograph is a combo of two thoughts. “I wish I was there” and “I wish that I’d taken that photo.” This one’s a winner on both counts.
This place seems beautiful. And I would really like to have oysters and see oyster farming.
The Arche de Port Blanc definitely makes for an excellent photo opportunity, especially with the sun sparkling through the arch. We often see sea erosion as a having a damaging, destruction effect, yet it has created something beautiful with this rock formation. It’s easy to see why Côte Sauvage tops tourist must-see lists, and it’s wonderful that so much of the area is unspoiled by the 21st century encroaching upon it with tourist shops and fast food outlets and litter. Let’s hope it stays that way.