Royan, France

Royan is a commune in the Charente-Maritime département, in south- western France. Inhabitants are called royannais and royannaises in French.

An important seaside resort with an international reputation, Royan is a city of 18,100 inhabitants in the heart of an urban area estimated at 38,638 inhabitants, which makes it the fourth largest conurbation in the département after La Rochelle, Rochefort and Saintes. Capital of the « Côte de beauté », the city is located in the mouth of the Gironde Estuary, the largest estuary in Europe. Royan has five sandy beaches, a marina and a fishing port.