Royan is an urban seaside resort at the mouth of the Gironde Estuary, along the Beaute coast in southwestern France. The estuary is the largest in Europe and endows the city with five beaches, a marina and a fishing port. The contemporary architecture of Royan hotels and other buildings is owed to the resort's tumultuous past, having been completely destroyed during WWII and rebuilt in the 1950s. The spectacular Church of Notre-Dame is made entirely of concrete; its nave, adorned with stain-glass windows, is large enough to house a congregation of 2,000. The cubic design of the Congress palace provides a dramatic contrast to its surroundings on the bank of the estuary amid wild gardens. Central Market is a spectacle as well with its great dome arches made of thick concrete. There are still opportunities to admire the commune's charming Belle epoque villas, mainly in the Pontaillac district where the beaches are also particularly lovely. With opportunities for surfing and sailing on the water, a go-karting circuit and a golf course along the marsh, and entertainment at the casino in town, Royan makes a perfect holiday resort.

other spellings: royanhotels, royan otel, royan hotell, royan hotell, royian hote, royian hotle