Verdon to Royan using the ferry
This is the cheapest family day out that I can find in the region. Drive up to Verdon-sur-Mer and park your car in the ferry car park ( yes it's free). Hop onto one of the ferrys (Bac) that cross the Gironde between the Verdon and Royan (costs about 4 euros for adults and 2 euros for kids (up to 13 years old) under 4 years old are free, buy an icecream in Royan then take the ferry back!
In the summer time (31st March - 25th September) the first depart is about 07h15 from Le Verdon and the last ferry back from Royan is 20h30, (they seem to leave every 40-50 mins between those critical "cinderella" times) so lots of time to eat icecream! You have a five minute walk into the town centre from the port.
* Verdon : Tel:05 56 73 37 73
* Royan : Tel:05 46 38 35 15
If you are driving from the UK and need to find the Bac (ferry) to cross the Gironde to get to the Medoc; leave the A10 at Saintes (J25) follow signs for Royan. Crossing of the Gironde is about 30 min. Watch out for queues in high season if you are travelling by car, as you can have a 2 hr wait at peak periods ( normally saturday is a bad one).. When you arrive in Verdon, follow the N215 to Soulac, then the D101, turn off onto the D102E for Montalivet and Vendays (about 30 mins).
