Cordouan Lighthouse stands on a rocky shoal at the mouth of the Gironde, about seven kilometres off the Charente-Maritime coast. UNESCO lists it for its long history and architecture, and Royan is one of the main departure points for seasonal boat trips.
The visit is tide-dependent and more involved than a normal lighthouse climb: boat crossing, supervised landing, then the ascent through a tower often called the "Versailles of the sea." If the timing works, it is the strongest single excursion from Royan.