|
|
 |
|
|
|
Royan, Notre Dame church dominates
the town
Notre Dame church dominates
the town. Its silhouette can be seen from a distance, either
when arriving by road from Saintes or when leaving by the
Royan-Le Verdon ferry. It was built between 1955 and 1958, facing the east, in the same
district as the original church which was destroyed by the
bombing during the second world war.
With its impressive dimensions and its astounding architecture,
it is often described as a cathedral. The spire of the belfry is
60 metres high, the same height as the Notre-Dame de Paris
towers. The nave is made of rough concrete, built without an internal
pillar, in the shape of an ellipse, 80 metres long and 45 metres
wide. It is 36 metres high at either end of the parabolic vault
and 28 metres high in the centre. The architecture takes into account the slope of the ground with
the main entrance situated on the highest part of the slope.
From the top of the stairs, which descend into the nave, one can
appreciate the dimensions of the building. The beauty of the
stained glass window behind the altar is enhanced by the light
which penetrates from the stained glass windows at the side,
giving a soft light and an impression of peace appropriate for
meditation
The big organThe organ was set up in 1964. It is
considered by organists and music lovers to be an exceptional
instrument. It is the first large one to be built since the 18th
Century, measuring sixteen feet in height and being made of
beaten pewter.
Concerts are regularly held throughout the season. In July 2001,
the participation of the organ, aided by the use of technology
in the concert "Violin on the Sand", made the organ widely
popular.
If you would like to have more
detailed information about this organ and see an excellent
photograph, please visit
web site
The use of concrete
allowed rapid construction of the church and daring architecture
to be used but unfortunately, this material ages rather badly
and because of this, there are now a renovation
of the building. |
|
| |
|
Ads by
Bernezac
Royan |
|
Hotel Foncillon Royan
Overlooking
the bay of Royan, 50 meters away
from the beach,
ideally located, close to
cafés, restaurants, shops, port. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hôtel Atlantis Royan
Hotel Atlantis is a charming hotel next to the main beach of
Royan in a quiet area of the town centre.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hotel Les Bleuets Royan
Facing the Foncillon
beach, next to the City Congress Center, ideal location on Royan
sea side. |
|
|
|
Palmyre
Loisirs |
|
Hotel La Croisette Royan
In a nice and sunny setting,
200 meters from the beach, "La Croisette" welcomes you all
the year. |
|
|
|
Hotel Le Pasteur Royan
downtown Royan in a quiet area very close to the sea, close to the famous Central Market. |
|
|
|
Hôtel Le Richelieu
Le Richelieu
Hotel in Saujon, 10 minutes away from Royan, 20 air-conditioned
rooms,all different.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Camping Les Pins
Campsite at
Saint-Palais-sur-Mer, in a charming area. |
|
|
|
|
|
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 |
|
|
|
Hotel Residence de Rohan
Charming house,
3 kms away from Royan in a unique environment.
By the sea,
direct access to
the beach
|
|
|
|
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 |
|
|
|
Camping des Deux Plages
Campsite at Saint-Palais-sur-Mer,
close to the beaches and the town centre. |
|
|
|
|
|
Domaine de Berthegille
Guest house, B&B, ideally located in the Romanesque Saintonge area, close to
the Atlantic coast.
|
|
|
|
Le Tileuillé
Guest rooms, B&B, between Saintes and Royan,
in Sablonceaux close to the famous 12th Century abbey.
|
|
|
|
Les Violettes de Malleville
Guest rooms,
B&B, between Saintes and Royan among fields, vineyards and woods,
in a typical
Charentaise house. |
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
La Rivière
Guest rooms,
B&B, in the heart
of Saintonge Romane, close to Saintes. |
|
|
|
Le Haras du Grand Gatérat
In Saintes,
Guest house, B&B, in a 17th C house. Four spacious
and comfortable guest rooms. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
