Le Verdon-sur-Mer

Visit Le Verdon-sur-Mer, Aquitaine

Le Verdon-sur-Mer is a small coastal resort at the northernmost end of the Medoc peninsula, close to Soulac-sur-Mer and north of Bordeaux in south-west France. A small resort town with basic facilities, it faces across the Gironde estuary to the town of Royan (Poitou-Charentes).

Beaches at Le Verdon-sur-Mer

The beaches here are long, clean and sandy - and since Le Verdon-sur-Mer is at the northermost point of the Medoc peninsula you can access either the Atlantic beach (the plage Saint-Nicolas), or the beach that faces the Gironde estuary (the Plage de la Chambrette). The Plage de la Chambrette that doesn't directly face the Atlantic ocean avoids the large waves that are found on the beaches along the west coast and is more suitable for children.

Both beaches have been awarded the Blue Flag for cleanliness and facilities, and both beaches are supervised during the summer months.

The town of Le Verdon-sur-Mer

The town itself is pleasant to stroll around. Stroll around the pleasure port, then take a look at the 19th century Church of Notre-Dame du Bon Secours et de Saint-Louis, built on the site of an earlier chapel after the council decided that a church with a tall spire was required as a warning to ships offshore, and the town hall, set in a large area of gardens.

There are various restaurants both in the town, at the Pointe de Grave, and near the beaches.

To visit nearby

A popular destination nearby is the lighthouse at Pointe du Grave - a listed monument at the northern extremity of the Medoc peninsula, where the estuary meets the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy the views then perhaps visit the lighthouse museum (in the Phare de Grave) where you can see models of all the lighthouses around this part of the coast.

Another lighthouse that can be seen (and visited at low tide) on a tiny island a few kilometres off the coast is the 16th century Phare de Cordouan (the height was raised in the 18th century), often used as a symbol for the town and the oldest operational lighthouse in France. Built to a very high standard the lighthouse contains stained glass windows and luxury accommodation!

It is from near Le Verdon-sur-Mer that you can take a boat crossing directly to Royan and on to La Rochelle and Ile de Ré - the alternative journey by road passes Bordeaux and is more than 200 kilometres long.

Note: Le Verdon-sur-Mer is also the northern end of the cycle path that runs more than 120km southwards along the coast of the Medoc peninsula.

See Aquitaine and Gironde (the region and department for Le Verdon-sur-Mer) for more travel ideas...

Suggested places to visit near Le Verdon-sur-Mer, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Saint-Vivien-de-Medoc 13km; Mornac-sur-Seudre 18km; La Palmyre 20km; Montalivet 21km; La Tremblade 26km; Lesparre-Medoc 28km; Ronce-les-Bains 29km; Brouage 34km; Vertheuil 37km; Saintes 40km; Hourtin 40km;

Le Verdon-sur-Mer tourist information: sights and attractions nearby

Parcs et jardins du château de Beaulon - remarkable garden (31km) : La Roche Courbon - remarkable garden (37km) : Upper Church et lower Church de Saint Eutrope (Saintes) - religious monument (40km) : Abbaye aux Dames de Saintes (Saintes) - religious monument (41km) : Jardins de la Boirie - remarkable garden (48km) :

See more places and a map at places near Le Verdon-sur-Mer