Villas in Les Mathes
Les Mathes suits families and surfers who want a forest-backed Atlantic coast, with La Palmyre's zoo and the Bonne Anse bay close by. The open ocean beaches here have strong currents, so check the swimming conditions.
- Villas
- 45
- From, per week
- £487
About Les Mathes
Les Mathes is a commune of about 2,200 people on the Arvert peninsula, and La Palmyre is the beach resort inside it, founded in 1960. Behind both lies the Forêt de la Coubre, roughly 8,000 hectares of mostly maritime pine, with about 50 km of walking paths and a cycle route that follows part of the old forest tramway. The Zoo de La Palmyre sits in this forest and stays open all year. The Pointe de la Coubre marks the line between the Côte Sauvage, a long, straight, undeveloped beach known for surf and strong currents, and the bay of Bonne Anse, a shifting natural area. Our homes are small, mostly for two to four people, and spread over a few kilometres around the village and resort. About half have a pool, a few have air conditioning and almost none has a fireplace.
Is Les Mathes right for you?
- Best for
- Families and cyclists wanting forest, zoo and Atlantic surf
- Not for you if
- You want calm swimming at your door, as the ocean beaches have dangerous currents.
Near Les Mathes
Zoo de La Palmyre
A private zoo of about 18 hectares with more than 1,600 animals, open all year, with sea lion shows from April to late October.
Phare de la Coubre
The 64-metre lighthouse of 1905 stands near the Pointe de la Coubre, where the Côte Sauvage meets Bonne Anse bay.
Forêt de la Coubre
A state forest of about 7,900 hectares with hiking paths, mountain-bike circuits and cycle paths on EuroVelo 1.
Royan
The capital of the Côte de Beauté, a resort rebuilt in Modernist style after 1945, with five beaches separated by limestone cliffs.
Ronce-les-Bains
Another resort beach on the edge of the Forêt de la Coubre, named on the forest's page alongside La Palmyre.
Getting to Les Mathes
Royan has no airport of its own. La Rochelle-Île de Ré is about 70 km from Royan, Bordeaux-Mérignac about 100 km, and Rochefort-Saint-Agnant about 30 km. Royan is about 65 km from La Rochelle by road. You will need a car for the forest, the beaches and the villages.
When to go to Les Mathes
Summer is when the beach resort at La Palmyre is at its fullest, and the zoo's sea lion shows run from April to late October. The zoo itself stays open year-round and the forest paths and cycle routes work in every season. The Côte Sauvage takes the prevailing swell from the west, so conditions can change quickly. Check lifeguard cover before swimming.
Villas in Les Mathes
2-star property
2-star property
Les Maisons de l'Océan
Les Mathes, Charente-Maritime, France
4
1
0
DishwasherMicrowaveParking+7 more
2-star property
Les Maisons de l'Océan
Les Mathes, Charente-Maritime, France
4
1
0
DishwasherMicrowaveParking+7 more
2-star property
3-star property
3-star property
3-star property
Villa du Sourdonnet
Les Mathes, Charente-Maritime, France
10
4
0
DishwasherGardenMicrowave+10 more
2-star property
2-star property
2-star property
Les Villas de La Palmyre
Les Mathes, Charente-Maritime, France
3
1
0
BBQDishwasherMicrowave+9 more
2-star property
Jardins de la Palmyre 2
Les Mathes, Charente-Maritime, France
2
1
0
MicrowaveParkingTerrace+5 more
3-star property
Jardins de la Palmyre 2
Les Mathes, Charente-Maritime, France
2
1
0
BBQDishwasherParking+5 more
2-star property
2-star property
Les Jardins de la Palmyre
Les Mathes, Charente-Maritime, France
4
2
0
DishwasherMicrowaveParking+7 more
3-star property
2-star property
2-star property
2-star property
2-star property
2-star property
2-star property
2-star property
2-star property
Le Clos des Chênes
Les Mathes, Charente-Maritime, France
4
1
0
ParkingPoolWashing Machine+7 more
2-star property
Les Mathes villa holidays: questions answered
Is Les Mathes good for families?
Yes, particularly with older children. The Zoo de La Palmyre is in the commune and open all year, and the forest has about 25 km of cycle paths. The Côte Sauvage beaches have strong currents, so swim only where it is supervised.
Is it safe to swim on the Côte Sauvage near Les Mathes?
Not everywhere. The Côte Sauvage is a long, straight beach known for strong, potentially dangerous currents, including the rip currents called baïnes. Swim only at supervised spots and follow the lifeguards' flags.
Can you cycle around Les Mathes and La Palmyre?
Yes. The Forêt de la Coubre has about 25 km of cycle paths, part of EuroVelo 1 along the old forest tramway, plus about 22 km of mountain-bike circuits. Walking paths cover about 50 km.
Which airport is nearest to Les Mathes?
Royan itself has no airport. Rochefort-Saint-Agnant is about 30 km from Royan, La Rochelle-Île de Ré about 70 km and Bordeaux-Mérignac about 100 km, so Les Mathes is a drive from any of them.
Les Mathes or Royan for a stay?
Les Mathes and La Palmyre sit in a forest beside Atlantic beaches, with the zoo close by. Royan is the Côte de Beauté capital, rebuilt after the 1945 bombing, with five beaches and a ferry across the Gironde estuary.
Nearby towns to Les Mathes
Written by the TrustedVillas team. Last reviewed October 2026.
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