Félix Marie de Kérimel de Kerveno Esplanade

On your left is the Félix Marie de Kérimel de Kerveno Esplanade, named in honor of a Second World War hero who fell here just days before Royan’s liberation. On April 14, 1945, at only 25 years old, Viscount Félix Marie de Kérimel de Kerveno was flying his fiftieth combat mission in a fighter-bomber, targeting remaining German positions around Royan. That day, his plane was shot down by German anti-aircraft fire between the city and the Cordouan Lighthouse. He managed to eject, but fell into the sea. French rescuers tried to reach him, but German forces blocked any intervention. He drowned, only hours away from seeing Royan freed at last. The esplanade you’re standing on was laid out as part of the city’s reconstruction after the bombings that had nearly wiped it from the map. At your feet, the Grande Conche Beach stretches in a graceful crescent of golden sand for over two kilometers. It’s one of the most beautiful beaches on the Atlantic coast, loved for its gentle atmosphere, open views, and its unmistakable summer spirit. Each year, it transforms into an open-air stage for the “Un Violon sur le Sable” festival. Since 1987, this extraordinary event has brought together classical music, opera, film scores, and contemporary creations in an equally extraordinary setting: the beach, the twilight, the ocean. More than 80 musicians, a full symphony orchestra, renowned soloists, spectacular lighting, and tens of thousands of spectators sitting barefoot in the sand. The great works of Mozart, Ravel, Wagner, and Tchaikovsky float through the evening air, interwoven with musical surprises, unexpected guests, and the occasional modern touch. It’s a magical moment suspended between land, sky, and sea, where music unites everyone in the same shared emotion.