The Suzac forest is one of the forest massifs bordering the coast of the Côte de Beauté, on either side of the Royan conurbation. It extends for a large part on the site of the Pointe de Suzac, a cape marking the limit between the municipalities of Saint-Georges-de-Didonne and Meschers-sur-Gironde, while overflowing largely on the surrounding dune cord .
Forming a set extending over an area of nearly 350 hectares, including 83 hectares directly belonging to the Coastal Conservatory and 11 hectares forming part of its perimeter of intervention, the forest was largely damaged during the period of strong tourist expansion in the 1960s. This period notably saw the acquisition of several plots by campsites, holiday villages or individuals who built second homes there.
In order to avoid the disappearance of this natural space, the authorities decided to put a stop to this policy and the first plots of the estate were acquired by the coastal conservatory in 1982. For 25 years, the latter worked to develop the spaces protected, 120 plots being bought from 1982 to 2007.
At the dawn of the year 2000, the creation of a nature center was decided by the general council: thus was born the “Park of the estuary”, intended to enhance the estuary ecosystem.
Walking paths have been laid out in the forest and the Fort de Suzac, testimony to the fortification of the Atlantic coasts during the German occupation, has been partly rehabilitated.
The Suzac forest has Mediterranean-type vegetation. Although the most common species are maritime pine and holm oak, the estate is also a favorite spot for arbutus, sage-leaf cistus, cytinets or downy oaks.
Several protected species are present on the site, including the carnation of the dunes. Finally, on the edge of the forest, the limestone lawn that stretches over the cliff is marked by the flowering in June of pink garlic and maritime iris.
Among the animal species listed on the site, blue tits, wood pigeons, or bats are predominant.