Royan and its beaches – the Sarkozy connection
The beaches of Royan have been given their own special seal of approval – from none other than Nicolas Sarkozy himself. The French president was a regular visitor to the Charente-Maritime’s resort when he was a child thanks to his mother’s love affair with the area. It was on Royan’s long sandy beaches that the young Nicolas first learnt to swim when he came there on family holidays.
And so this month when his mother Andrée Sarkozy - known as Dadu among close friends and family – celebrated her 50th year of visiting Royan with a special party, the president himself turned up to meet old family friends and relive boyhood memories. Sarkozy was accompanied by his wife Carla Bruni, who was said to have ‘adored’ the spot where the party was held. This was at the Koud à Koud, a restaurant overlooking the Plage du Chay beach – sometimes also known as the Conche du Chay - and which is run by Patrice Puyravaud.
On their visit to his mother’s party Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni were greeted by a crowd of up to 300 people, including people who were on the Plage du Chay beach at the time.
'IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR MY MOTHER THAT I CAME'
The mood was good-natured, and their entrance was applauded. The president told those who gathered: ‘I am only staying an hour because I have lots of work and issues to deal with – pensions, the economic crisis and unemployment.’ But he added: ‘It was important for my mother than I came.’ Among the other guests were Nicolas’s brothers Guillaume and François. ‘Guillaume, the eldest, spoke about their mother and her life, it was very moving,’ said Patrice Puyravaud. Royan is one of the French Atlantic coast’s premier resorts and each summer attracts tens of thousands of French tourists many of whom, like the Sarkozys, come back year after year to enjoy its beaches, relaxed atmosphere and lively nightlife.
Michael STREETER
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