Grande-Côte, Sandy beach in Saint-Palais-sur-Mer, France

Grande-Côte is a sandy beach on the Charente-Maritime coast that stretches for several kilometers and is bordered by pine forests and sand dunes. The shoreline offers gentle access to the water and includes distinct zones for different water activities and recreation.

The beach was fortified during World War II as part of coastal defense lines, with concrete bunkers built along the water's edge. These structures remain visible today and shape the character of the entire bay.

The Grande-Côte is divided into four sectors: the beach of the same name, the Combots and Lède beaches, and the Pins de Cordouan beach. The Combots and Lède beaches are partly naturist over a length of 800 metres. The name Grande-Côte also covers the dune belt and the pine wood of the Combots d'Ansoine behind the sand.

The Pointe de la Grande-Côte is reached from the centre of Saint-Palais-sur-Mer by a wide avenue with a cycle lane, and car parks are laid out at the site. Strong currents run along the shore, so bathers should stay cautious. The beach is a stage on the EuroVelo 1 cycle route, the Vélodyssée, and a greenway runs from Saint-Palais-sur-Mer towards Ronce-les-Bains.

The beach's fine blond sand measures about 180 micrometres per grain. German troops of Organisation Todt built bunkers and "tobrouks" on the beach and behind the dunes from 1942, reinforced in autumn 1944 during the Royan pocket; some blockhouses now stand partly submerged by erosion.