Le Grand-Village-Plage

A charming little seaside resort nestled between ocean, marsh and pine forest, Le Grand-Village-Plage harbors unsuspected treasures. Of course, its beaches are among the most beautiful on the Ile d'Oléron, but you'll also find a number of unmissable sites to visit. With a small surface area of 6 km², the commune can be explored by bike, or even on foot. Cycle paths, footpaths and sports trails criss-cross Le Grand-Village-Plage from east to west and south to north...

A little taste of salt...

In Petit Village, a hamlet of Grand-Village-Plage, Le Port des Salines is a salt marsh of the Oléronais type, like those that have covered the south of the island of Oléron for centuries. In operation, the salt-maker can be seen picking the fleur de sel and harvesting the coarse salt at the end of the day during the summer months (a spectacle in itself). The salt granary, where he stores his production, also serves as a store for marketing it. Guided tours of the salt marsh are also available to learn all about this age-old know-how. On site, an eco-museum retraces the history of salt farming. Temporary exhibitions and events are organized on a regular basis. Once a week, Le Port des Salines becomes the setting for a not-to-be-missed farmer's market, a feast for the eyes and the taste buds! A freely accessible interpretation trail and boat rentals allow visitors to discover the area at their own pace. Created in 1990, Le Port des Salines is part of the Echapées Nature de Charente-Maritime network.

Did you know?It's hard to believe today, but salt production in the Oléronnais region has played a major role in the area's history. In the 18th century, there were as many as 85,000 salt pans (1/5 of the surface area of the Ile d'Oléron), and in the 1930s, between 2,500 and 5,000 tonnes of salt were still being produced, depending on the year.

Feet in the water

Grand Village beach is a large sandy beach bordered by dunes, popular with families and sports enthusiasts alike. The beach is divided into Plage de la Giraudière and Plage des Allasins. The quality of the waves attracts surf enthusiasts, and the spot is renowned for being accessible to all levels. The long sandy beach is ideal for sand yachting.

• La Giraudière beach: Opening onto the Atlantic coast, 1.5km from the village, this beach is easily accessible on foot, by bike or by taking the little train that runs in summer. Whether you're a sportsman or a relaxation enthusiast, you'll appreciate its soft sand, invigorating waves and the possibility of swimming at any time of day. Swimming is supervised in summer.
• Les Allassins beach : Located at "Les Alassins", the beach can be reached by parking in the "écossais" parking lot and walking or cycling through 1.5 km of forest and dunes. Its distance from the road makes it a less frequented and more reserved area.