Plage de la Cèpe, Sandy beach in Ronce-les-Bains, La Tremblade, France

Plage de la Cèpe is a beach of very fine blond sand in Ronce-les-Bains, in the commune of La Tremblade. It runs from the estacade of Place Brochard to the edge of the Coubre state forest, an 8,000-hectare pine wood. It opens onto the Pertuis de Maumusson, sheltered from the strong currents by sandbanks and the Pointe du Galon d'Or, and faces the south coast of Oléron. At low tide a wide muddy foreshore appears.

The beach developed as part of Ronce-les-Bains district during the expansion of French seaside tourism in the 1800s. Wealthy families built villas here, and these residences continue to define the character of the place today.

The Theatre de Verdure near the beach hosts live music performances on summer evenings, set among pine trees with views of the sunset.

Reach the beach on foot from Place Brochard or via the pedestrian lanes off rue Gabrielle, the main walking axis of Ronce-les-Bains. Drivers can use the casino car park or the one on avenue de la Cèpe. Cara'Bus urban services stop at "Casino", about 400 metres from Place Brochard. There is no lifeguard and no shower nearby; facilities are limited to a beach club and a small refreshment kiosk.

At low tide the beach reveals a wide muddy foreshore rather than oyster beds; the sandbanks offshore, together with the Pointe du Galon d'Or, shield it from the strong currents of the Pertuis de Maumusson. This is why the water here stays shallow and noticeably warmer than on the nearby wild coast.