La Palmyre

La Palmyre is a seaside resort in Les Mathes on the French Atlantic coast with wide sandy beaches and pine forests in the hinterland. The settlement sits on a narrow strip of land between ocean and woodland and offers flat beaches with fine sand.

The settlement developed from the mid-20th century as a holiday destination for urban families from the interior. The construction of campsites and holiday homes transformed the once sparsely inhabited coastal zone into a popular vacation spot.

The surrounding pine forest called Forêt de la Coubre once served to stabilize coastal dunes along this stretch of shore. Today locals use the shaded woodland paths for cycling and walking during warm summer months.

Most visitors arrive between June and September when the water warms up and the sun shines longer. Bike paths connect beaches with forest areas and make it easy to explore the entire surroundings without a car.

The nearby Zoo de La Palmyre ranks among the most visited animal parks in France and sits in the middle of pine forest just a few kilometers (miles) from the beach. Many families combine their beach stay with a visit to see over 1600 animals from around the world.