The Nature Reserve Parc de l’Estuaire
The regional council Nature Centre of Charente-Maritime…
Opened in June 2005, the Parc de ‘Estuaire is part of a network of 14 sites, designated Nature Centres by the regional council of the department Charente-Maritime.
It consists of 3.5 hectares of land, owned by the regional council of Charente-Maritime, a protected area of natural beauty, in a stunning location, the mouth of the Gironde estuary, in the Suzac forest in the district of Saint-Georges-de-Didonne.
Fun-packed, astounding and lively…
This educational and visitors site offers fun ways of exploring the natural environment through events, exhibitions (static and temporary) and various outings organised for the general public and school parties … thus encouraging an awareness of the environment and measures taken to protect it.
The site is open to the general public from February to November.
Our visitor’s sites :
The Estuary Villa
brings together under one roof the different services made available by the Nature Centre; reception, ticket office, permanent exhibition centre, gift shop and tea room with a magnificent view of the estuary from the terrace. Treat yourself to some quality time in this enchanting and protected setting and be tempted by our quality coffees, teas and organic cold drinks!
The watchtower
From 55 meters above sea level and affording a majestic 360 degree panoramic view, you can see the ocean and the Suzac forest!
From the top of the watchtower the view is breathtaking: the lighthouses of Cordouan, Saint-Georges-de-Didonne and Courbe, the cliffs, the beaches between Royan and Saint-Georges-de-didonne, the Médoc area … One gets a picture of the sheer size of the estuary and of its beauty…
The pathway to discovery
Starting from the Reception building, visitors can follow the park footpath leading to the dune forest at Suzac. Along the way, you will notice typically Mediterranean features such as strawberry trees, green oaks and cork oaks.
Access to the Villa from the estuary and access along the discovery path are free of charge. There is a charge for the guided visit of the watchtower and the static exhibition, and for most of the events offered.
All year round, many organised events are on offer as well as the peripatetic exhibitions.
