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Meschers, the seaside resort and the troglodytique caves
Meschers, is not only an exceptional troglodytique site, it is also
a seaside resort which extends from Saint-Georges-de-Didonne and a
good harbour for sailing and fishing.
As far as Meschers is
concerned, one thinks immediately of the caves dug into the
limestone cliff above the Gironde.
Meschers, is not only an exceptional troglodytique site, it is also
a seaside resort which extends from Saint-Georges-de-Didonne and a
good harbour for sailing and fishing. For me, Meschers is the
end of the sandy beaches and the beginning of the real estuary.
If you already know Meschers, you will have appreciated its
diversity. If, however, you are just discovering Meschers, I suggest
you spend a day or even just a morning or afternoon there and walk
from the beach of Nonnes to the harbour, following the small road
along the top of the cliffs which takes you past the caves.
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When coming from Royan, which is about twelve
kilometres, or Saint-Georges-de-Didonne, you will
arrive at a roundabout with a sign indicating the
beach des Nonnes to the right.
It is best to leave
the car in the car park near the beach and walk
from there.
The beach des Nonnes is a fine, sandy beach stretching between
two cliffs.
From the road, looking
between the houses built on top of the cliff, you will have a
beautiful view over the estuary.
On the left-hand side
of the road there is an old, restored and inhabited windmill.
It
was probably built on this high ground to take advantage of the
strong winds.
Then you will arrive
at the entrance of the caves, Grottes de Regulus et des
Fountaines.
This municipal site is opened from Easter to October,
seven days a week.
The conducted tours
are fascinating.
Some days, during the
peak season, for example when the weather is not really
convenient for swimming, the flow of visitors can be enormous.
Morning visits are recommended during the summer season.Grottes de Regulus et
des Fontaines
83, boulevard de la Falaise
17132 Meschers
Phone 05 46 02 55 36
A few hundred metres
further on, you will find the entrance to the caves of Matata.
You can take a
conducted tour and you will find a bar and a creperie where you
can stop for a while and enjoy a unique view of the estuary of
the Gironde, the Pointe de Grave, the Médoc region, the estuary
and Talmont.
An hotel, with rooms
with balconies looking directly on to the estuary, is open all
the year round.
Grottes de Matata
67, boulevard de la Falaise
17132 Meschers
Phone . 05 46 02 70 02
After the caves,
continue up to the port and then you can return, if you wish, by
crossing the renovated and busy centre of the town.
The environment of the port has changed a lot during the last
few years to welcome the sailors and the tourists.
Some people will
recall with a little nostalgia, the port of the 1960's shown in
the photograph opposite.
If this was your first
visit to Meschers, I am sure that you will return for a longer
period next time to revisit the places that captured your
attention.
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Ads by
Bernezac
estuary of Gironde |
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Camping
2B
The campsite 2B is
closed to the beaches of
Saint-Georges-de-Didonne and Meschers, 5km away from Royan. |
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Chambres au Château
Luxury "chambres
d'hôtes" in a 18thC chateau totally renovated, Ten minutes away
from the beaches and from Royan. |
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Blue Sturgeon
Guest House on the port of Saint-Seurin d'Uzet, "the village of caviar"
on the estuary of
Gironde. |
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Palmyre
Loisirs |
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Camping Port Maubert
Campsite
on the estuary of Gironde,
calm,
close to the port. Swimming pool, games, bar, restaurant. |
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La Maison du Meunier
Guest House situated on the port of
Mortagne-sur-Gironde. |
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Château des Salles
Guest House, B&B,
welcome to this friendly and elegant family home,
enjoy "La vie de Château".
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Le Logis des Grand
Guest rooms, B&B, in the
heart of Gemozac, an ideal
stopover between vineyards and Atlantic ocean. |
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Ads by
Bernezac
Royan |
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Hotel Foncillon Royan
Overlooking
the bay of Royan, 50 meters away
from the beach,
ideally located, close to
cafés, restaurants, shops, port. |
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Hôtel Atlantis Royan
Hotel Atlantis is a charming hotel next to the main beach of
Royan in a quiet area of the town centre.
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Hotel Les Bleuets Royan
Facing the Foncillon
beach, next to the City Congress Center, ideal location on Royan
sea side. |
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Palmyre
Loisirs |
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Hotel La Croisette Royan
In a nice and sunny setting,
200 meters from the beach, "La Croisette" welcomes you all
the year. |
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Hotel Le Pasteur Royan
downtown Royan in a quiet area very close to the sea, close to the famous Central Market. |
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Hôtel Le Richelieu
Le Richelieu
Hotel in Saujon, 10 minutes away from Royan, 20 air-conditioned
rooms,all different.
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Camping Les Pins
Campsite at
Saint-Palais-sur-Mer, in a charming area. |
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Ma Maison de Mer
Guest House, B&B,
situated in a fantastic location, 150m from the beach and 200m
from the town center. Open all year |
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Hotel Residence de Rohan
Charming house,
3 kms away from Royan in a unique environment.
By the sea,
direct access to
the beach
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Yukadi Village Le Logis
Le Logis,
under the warm Charente sun, 600 metres from the
sea and 10 km from Royan, much of it
situated in a pine forest |
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Camping des Deux Plages
Campsite at Saint-Palais-sur-Mer,
close to the beaches and the town centre. |
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Chambres au Château
Luxury "chambres
d'hôtes" in a 18thC chateau totally renovated, Ten minutes away
from the beaches and from Royan. |
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Domaine de Berthegille
Guest house, B&B, ideally located in the Romanesque Saintonge area, close to
the Atlantic coast.
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Le Tileuillé
Guest rooms, B&B, between Saintes and Royan,
in Sablonceaux close to the famous 12th Century abbey.
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Les Violettes de Malleville
Guest rooms,
B&B, between Saintes and Royan among fields, vineyards and woods,
in a typical
Charentaise house. |
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Château de Mouillepied
Guest house, in a castle built in the 15th and 18th century, restored keeping in
character, between Saintes and Royan, Charente valley. |
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La Rivière
Guest rooms,
B&B, in the heart
of Saintonge Romane, close to Saintes. |
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Le Haras du Grand Gatérat
In Saintes,
Guest house, B&B, in a 17th C house. Four spacious
and comfortable guest rooms. |
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