Vaux-Sur-Mer: Coves, Culture and Cycling Route

Vaux-Sur-Mer combines coastal coves and beaches with a section of the Vélodyssée and historic buildings. Four coves are linked by the Sentier des Douaniers; at the same time, the town is part of a European cycling route along the Atlantic coast. When looking for a hotel in Vaux-Sur-Mer, these different attractions can help guide your travel plans: the coast and walks, a cycling trip, or culture and events.

Beaches, Coves and Coastal Paths

Plage de Nauzan is the largest beach in Vaux-Sur-Mer. A paved promenade lined with shops and a restaurant borders the beach, giving it a different setting from the coves edged by limestone cliffs. Plage du Conseil offers a view of the Cordouan Lighthouse. This beach can also be explored via the Sentier des Douaniers, which links the four coastal coves.

Plage Gilet has a specific condition for visiting: it is completely covered at high tide. So if you plan to visit this beach, take the tides into account. The beaches differ not only in their surroundings, but also in practical details like this. Nauzan is defined by its promenade and the shops and restaurant mentioned there; at Conseil, the view of Cordouan and the coastal path are the main attractions.

Getting Around by Bike or on Foot

Vaux-Sur-Mer is a section of the Vélodyssée, a European cycling route along the Atlantic coast. For a cycling trip, this makes a different starting point from the Sentier des Douaniers, which links the four coves and can also be used to explore Plage du Conseil. The two names offer different points of reference for planning, as they describe different kinds of route: one is a section of a longer coastal cycling route, while the other is a path connected with the coves and the beach.

Churches, Temples and Music

Saint-Étienne Church is the last surviving remnant of a Benedictine abbey founded in 1075. Its surviving parts include the crossing, choir and apse; these were classified as historic monuments in 1913. Music is also part of the cultural program: the annual Jeudis Musicaux features classical music and includes a concert at Saint-Étienne Church.

The Temple de Vaux-Sur-Mer was rebuilt between 1841 and 1848 on the site of an earlier Protestant temple. Today, it also serves as a venue for exhibitions and events. Those interested in the history of religious buildings will find different points of reference in Vaux-Sur-Mer: the history of the Benedictine abbey and the temple’s reconstruction. The Viviers at Plage de Saint-Sordelin also once served the Saint-Nicolas chapel.

The music events also take place on different dates: every Thursday in July and August, the Nauzan promenade comes alive with music as part of Jeudis de Nauzan. A night market is held on Mondays in summer. Check the relevant event dates in advance if you are planning a visit.

Parc des Sports and Events

Parc des Sports has a basketball court, outdoor fitness equipment, an outdoor table tennis table and a cycling cross-country track. Children can enjoy a fenced play area with slides, seesaws and climbing frames. The park offers something different from the beaches and coastal paths, with a focus on sports, play and events.

Parc des Sports regularly hosts flea markets, trade fairs, circus events and sports events. If you would like to plan your stay around one of these events, check the relevant dates. This can help you decide whether to focus on the coves, cycling route, historic sites or the program at Parc des Sports.

Discover more destinations: Marans, Chérac, Siecq, Saint-Pardoult, La Jarrie, Grézac, Mirambeau, Périgny.

For the broader travel overview: Charente-Maritime.