Creation of a lake
The area that is now a lake was once occupied by the Rhâ Marsh, named after the local stream that flowed between the spring that feeds the Palud and Bureau Beach. The Rhâ Marsh was one of the region’s last coastal wetlands.
On 6 May 1980, the town council decided to convert the 140,000 m² of marshland into a leisure park, a project that it continued to tweak until 1984. That project included the creation of a body of water and various activities (petanque, archery, crazy golf, table tennis and other sporting equipment).
The area was levelled, landscaped and equipped between June 1985 and January 1987. The park was inaugurated on 12 September 1987. In June 1990, it was christened Raymond Vignes Leisure Park as a tribute to the town’s mayor (1971-1989) who initiated the project. The lake now plays a major role in the collection and natural treatment of the rainwater, letting out at Bureau Beach.
Natural heritage and arboretum
Raymond Vignes Park, located near the centre of Saint-Palais, now covers nearly 160,000 m² of land and serves as the town’s main green lung.
Around the lake, Mediterranean trees (pine and live oak) were planted to provide cool, shady spots.
Bird sanctuary
(Ligue de Protection des Oiseaux)
The Town of Saint-Palais-sur-Mer created a bird sanctuary that was inaugurated in 2020 to protect an ecosystem of remarkable flora and fauna. An environmental assessment was carried out in spring 2019 by the Poitou-Charentes LPO (Bird Protection League) to inventory the main groups of wildlife – more specifically, birds. As a result, 46 species of birds were observed, including 11 remarkable species.
Fishing
Fishing (that complies with fishing rules) is permitted along year round on part of the municipal lake. A special area has been designated for model ships. Swimming is prohibited there.
Arboretum
The park has been home to an arboretum since September 2019. Its educational path presents no fewer than 37 different kinds of trees.
The arboretum serves multiple functions: first of all, a scenic function that helps preserve the trees, an educational function with a discovery area for visitors and, lastly, an environmental function that supports the presence and diversity of bird species.
Water activities and sailing for kids
Centre Nautique de Saint-Palais-sur-Mer, located in Nauzan, offers a variety of water-based activities. Sailing lessons for school-age children are also taught by our certified instructors.
Fitness trail and sports ground
A fitness trail with a dozen or so of wooden exercise equipment is available to the public, at the entrance to the park, on the market side. Nearby, a municipal sports ground (with a football pitch and basketball court) is open to all.