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).
Explore Le Verdon-sur-Mer
France This Way review: although it is pleasant for a visit to the beach if you are passing, Le Verdon-sur-Mer would not be the most common destination for visitors looking for an Atlantic beach resort and you will find more facilities, places of interest and things to do at some of the popular resorts such as Lacanau Ocean and Arcachon (our favourite).
The beaches at Verdon-sur-Mer are long, clean and sandy, and because the town is at the northermost point of the Medoc peninsula you can either access an Atlantic beach (the plage Saint-Nicolas) or a beach that faces the Gironde estuary (the Plage de la Chambrette).
As it doesn't directly face the Atlantic Ocean the Plage de la Chambrette 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 award for cleanliness and facilities, and both beaches are supervised during the summer months.
The town of Le Verdon-sur-Mer
The town is pleasant to stroll around. First walk around the pleasure port of Le Verdon-sur-Mer, then take a look at the 19th century Church of Notre-Dame du Bon Secours et de Saint-Louis. This church was 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.
You can also see the town hall in the town centre, 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. After enjoying the views you can 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, is the 16th century Phare de Cordouan on a tiny island a few kilometres off the coast. The height of the lighthouse was increased in the 18th century. This lighthouse is often used as a symbol for the town and is the oldest operational lighthouse in France. Built and maintained to a very high standard, the lighthouse contains stained glass windows and luxury accommodation!
From close to Le Verdon-sur-Mer you can take a boat crossing directly to Royan and on to La Rochelle and Ile de Ré - very useful because the alternative journey by road passes around 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 120 kilometres southwards along the coast of the Medoc peninsula.
See more seaside resorts in France. You can find more travel ideas in the Gironde guide and the Aquitaine guide.
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Map of Le Verdon-sur-Mer and places nearby
Visit near Le Verdon-sur-Mer with France This Way reviews
Soulac-sur-Mer
Soulac-sur-Mer is a long established beach resort at the north of the Medoc peninsula
Soulac-sur-Mer guide
Meschers-sur-Gironde
The beaches and rocky coast attract visitors to Meschers, and you can also see troglodyte cave dwellings
Meschers-sur-Gironde guide
Church Sainte-Radegonde of Talmont
The Church Sainte-Radegonde is a roman style church of the 12th century on the coast at Talmont-sur-Gironde
Church Sainte-Radegonde of Talmont guide
Talmont
Talmont-sur-Gironde is one of the prettiest villages in Charente-Maritime, well known for the imposing roman style church
Talmont guide
Saint-Vivien-de-Medoc
While Saint-Vivien-de-Medoc would not be considered a tourist destination, you might like to stop and admire the church when you are passing
Saint-Vivien-de-Medoc guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Gironde
Address: Verdon-sur-Mer, Saint-Vivien-de-Médoc, Lesparre-Médoc, Aquitaine, 33123, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 45.547222, longitude -1.060556
Plan your visit to Le Verdon-sur-Mer, Gironde
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Pointe de Grave: site of natural beauty (2 km)
- Soulac-su-Mer basilique Notre-Dame-de-la-fin-des-Terres (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (6 km)
- Forêt de Suzac: site of natural beauty (8 km)
- Pointe de Suzac: site of natural beauty (8 km)
- Royan: town of art and history (8 km)
- Talmont: most beautiful village (12 km)
- Zoo de la Palmyre: zoo or wildlife park (18 km)
- Mornac-sur-Seudre: most beautiful village (18 km)
- Pointe de la Coubre: site of natural beauty (21 km)
- Forêt domaniale de la Coubre: site of natural beauty (25 km)
- Parcs et jardins du château de Beaulon: remarkable garden (31 km)
- Hiers-Brouage: site of natural beauty (34 km)
The French version of this page is at Le Verdon-sur-Mer (Francais)