Camping Cordouan lighthouse

From Le Verdon-sur-Mer in the Gironde or Royan in the Charente-Maritime, weigh anchor for a very special visit to the Cordouan lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in France still in activity! Set right in the middle of the waves, discover the fabulous building that rightly deserves its nickname of “Versailles of the Seas”: 301 steps, 6 floors and a total climb of 68m await you with, as your reward, a superb panoramic view over the whole region!

To help you organise this unique excursion, you can rely on our Sandaya campsites, whether in the Gironde or near Royan in the Charente-Maritime. This is where you’ll find your tailor-made accommodation; from comfortable well-equipped cottages to tree-planted camping pitches, the choice is yours. On-site, all you need will be conveniently to hand so that you can forget the car for a few days: restaurant options, sports grounds, free clubs for the kids, covered or open air swimming pools... come camping with Sandaya and look forward to the holiday of your dreams on the Atlantic coast!

Thirsting for adventure? Here’s one outing that will delight all inquisitive youngsters! Built more than 300 years ago, the Cordouan lighthouse has more than a few stories to tell as you climb its 6 floors, each home to innumerable secrets.

To make your family visit even more enthralling, opt for the “Treasure Hunt” package, specially designed for children. On-site, a veritable trail of discovery awaits you as you head off in search of the lighthouse’s treasure. Track down the clues hidden on the various floors of the lighthouse, each with its own riddle to solve, before the location of the hidden treasure is finally revealed... There’s no better way to combine entertaining brain-teasers and historical discoveries!

Calling all lovers of heritage, prepare to slip into the shoes of a veritable lighthouse-keeper! Hand-in-hand, climb the steps from floor to floor, each unveiling a new page in the history of the Cordouan lighthouse.

In the “King’s Apartment”, for example, note the initials “MTL”, a reference to Louis XIV and his queen. Then move on to admire the stained glass of the royal chapel where religious services are still celebrated today. Then, in the counterweight room, discover the ingenious invention that created the alternating flashes of light and dark, and the story of how the lighthouse was lit, from its construction in 1622. After so much effort and so many discoveries, you’ve finally arrived at the top. It’s time to enjoy your just reward: a breathtaking view to immortalise forever with a romantic photo of the two of you together!