Fouras: Beaches, harbors and Fort Vauban

Fouras-les-Bains is located on a four-kilometre-long peninsula at the mouth of the Charente. Five sandy beaches and three harbors shape the coastline. The islands of Aix, Oléron and Ré protect these beaches and harbors from heavy surf. This gives you different ways to plan your trip: you can spend time by the water or explore the history of the estuary and Fouras’s development as a seaside resort. When looking for a hotel in Fouras, you can consider which of these themes matters most to you during your stay. If beaches and the water are your priority, it is worth comparing the specific features of each beach; for culture and local history, the Musée régional de Fouras and Fort Vauban complement the coastal attractions.

Beaches with different features

At Grande Plage, there is a seawater swimming pool with a view of Fort Boyard. Plage de la Vierge is a gently sloping beach of rocks and sand. You can go shellfish gathering there at low tide, and from the beach you can see Fort Enet in the distance. If you are choosing between the two beaches, you can weigh up the seawater pool at Grande Plage against low-tide shellfish gathering and the view of Fort Enet from Plage de la Vierge. The two locations offer different experiences. Check the local tide times if you plan to go shellfish gathering.

The Musée régional de Fouras at Fort Vauban

The Musée régional de Fouras is located in Fort Vauban, which is listed as a historic monument. Its collections cover Gallo-Roman and medieval archaeology, the history of the Charente estuary, the presence of the navy and the town’s development as a seaside resort. These bring together archaeological, maritime and local-history perspectives. The estuary is both a landscape and a museum subject: the coastline shapes the town, while the museum explores its history through its collections. If you would like to add culture to your stay, the museum offers a focus beyond the beach and harbor. The museum offers guided tours of the fortifications and crypt at 2 p.m.; tours run with a minimum of two people. As arrangements vary by season, please check before your visit.

Orienteering courses, Île d’Aix and the market

There are two orienteering courses in Bois du Casino: one is 1.7 km long and the other 2.1 km. The second course is therefore 400 metres longer; you can compare the two by distance. Pointe de la Fumée is the main departure point for Île d’Aix. If the island is part of your travel plans, Pointe de la Fumée is a key starting point for the trip. The Marché de Fouras les Bains is a longstanding local tradition. It includes a covered market hall selling food, as well as another hall for fish and seafood. The two halls have different specialities: food in general in one, and fish and seafood in the other.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Saint-Fort-Sur-Gironde, Brie-Sous-Archiac, Saint-Germain-de-Vibrac, Mirambeau, Vert-Bois, Saint-Sornin, Cierzac, Saintes.

Back to the main travel guide: Charente-Maritime.