|
|
 |
 |
The
Reconstruction
and the Resort Architecture of the 1950's
On 5th January, 1945, the town of Royan was practically
annihilated by the allied bombardments.
Only the districts
situated on the West, next to Pontaillac, and in the East
along the Grande Conche, were partially spared.
Royan after its liberation in April, 1945, was in ruins. |
|
The Sea front in 1960, seen from
the Casino |
|
 |
The work of clearing the area lasted several years and the
reconstruction really started in 1949 and was a national
responsibility within the framework of the Ministère de la
Reconstruction.
The expression "modern laboratory of town planning and
architecture" was
used to characterise the methods and the work of the
architects and the town planners of this time.
Besides that, it was necessary to rebuild quickly and
effectively. In ten years from 1949 until 1959, Royan became
an avant-guarde town.
The architecture constructed in concrete in the style of the
1950s obviously was greatly criticised, especially by those
accustomed to the pre-war Royan, but it is remembered for
the considerable impact it made on public opinion at that
time and its symbolic aspect, at a time when economic growth
was restarting.
It became absolutely necessary "to visit
Royan", a "must" for that time. It was the main
attraction for the whole the region and even beyond...
|
|
The Notre Dame Church in 1960 |
|
 |
The Sea front with its beach on one side and the town on the
other, the wide avenues, the Casino, the Central Market, the
Conference Hall, the Notre Dame Church, the Protestant
Temple and the Post office, constituted the inescapable
marks of the new Royan.
The new casino, which is no longer
there today, and its gardens, occupied the place where the
new gardens are now laid out between the sea front and the
yachting marina. It was opened in 1960.
One still remembers
the successful summer tours of the up-and-coming stars of
that time, such as Johnny Hallyday who is still performing
today.
This casino was demolished in 1985 for financial reasons and
safety measures.
During its short existence, it was
considered as a key piece of Royan's modern architecture.
It is regrettable that it was demolished as today, it would
no doubt have been classified as an historic monument!
Fortunately, the project for the construction of an
exhibition centre, "Centre of the Sea", envisaged after the
demolition of the casino, never materialised ; the gardens
laid out now between the sea front and the port are much
more attractive and pleasant.
The central market was built in
1955. It is constructed by a veil of circular concrete, 50
metres in diameter, without any internal pillars, which
gives it the appearance of a huge umbrella.
The Portique walk, built
originally to go through the middle of the sea front, gave
views on one side, of the beach and the estuary, and on the
other, the view overlooking the market.
For the tourists who used to visit
Royan, one of the first things to do was to climb up one of
the two sets of steps to reach the walk on the Portique and
to have a first general view of the whole of Royan.
This Portique was demolished at
the same time as the Casino and was replaced by leisure
areas and flower beds.
Also the new villas, their
architecture, influenced by Le Corbusier, mark a break with
the previous architecture.
Villas constructed in geometrical
lines appear in all the resorts along the coast.
A small concrete portico built in
2000 at the entry to the new jetty promenade constructed
between the yachting marina and the beach, is a reminder to
visitors of the important part that the 1950’s played in the
renewal of Royan. |
|
The Rotunda of the Casino in
1960 |
 |
|
The
Sea front and Casino seen
from the sea, 1962 |
 |
|
The Market seen from the
Portique walk, 1960 |
 |
|
The beach seen from the Portique
walk, 1960 |
 |
|
|
| |
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
