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'Royan' is a small town and commune of the Charente-Maritime ''département'', in Western France.
Its economy is dominated by tourism. Four sandy coves adorn the coast.

Contents

Geography

History

Royan today

Sister Cities

Miscellaneous

External links

Geography

Royan is on the Atlantic coast, near the mouth of the Gironde Estuary. Three islands are nearby: Île de Ré, Île d'Oléron and Île-d'Aix.

History

Royan's history as a resort dates from the later 19th century. From the 1890s to the Second World War it was both fashionable and popular, especially after the introduction of holidays with pay in France, in 1935.
During the Second World War, two German fortresses defended the Gironde Estuary: Gironde Mündung Nord (or Royan) and Gironde Mündung Süd (or La Pointe de Grave). These constitued one of the Atlantic "pockets" which the Germans held on to grimly well after the liberation of the rest of France. In the early hours of 5 January 1945 planes of the Royal Air Force, having been told that nobody was left in Royan but Germans and collaborators, in two raids bombed the centre of Royan out of existence. This appalling raid is usually attributed to the Free French Forces General Larminat.
The Allied operation, which was directed against the German forces on Île d'Oléron and at the mouth of the Gironde River, began with a general naval bombardment at 0750 on 15 April 1945, some 10 months after D-Day. For five days the US naval task force assisted the French ground forces with naval bombardment and aerial reconnaissance in the assault on Royan and the Pointe de Grave area at the mouth of the Gironde. American B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator aircraft carried out aerial bombing missions, including extensive and pioneering use of napalm, finishing the destruction of 5 January.

Royan today

The town was rebuilt in the 1950s, as part of an urbanisation programme and is very representative of the modernist architecture of the time.
A pleasant resort, known also for its casinos and hotels, Royan has a typical Atlantic climate. It is particularly favoured by families with young children because of the safe beaches, several in attractive coves (conches)with beach cafes.

Sister Cities

★ Balingen (Germany)

★ Gosport (Great Britain)

★ Nauplia (Greece)

Miscellaneous

Howard Zinn, author of "A People's History of the United States" was one of the many bombardiers that attacked Royan during World War Two.
Royan attracts many foreign language students due to its local language school, le CAREL (''Centre Audiovisuel de Royan pour l'Étude des Langues'').
Royan was the birthplace of:

★ Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Monts, (c.1558-1628), merchant, explorer and colonizer

★ Eugène Pelletan (1813-1884), writer, journalist and politician

External links

★ Official website

★ Tourist office website