100 things to do and see in our part of France.

Staying (or thinking of staying) in one of our properties ? Summer and winter alike there is plenty to do and see in the Charente Maritime. Property details on www.seasidefrance.com. Within half an hour’s drive here are 100 possibilities, in no particular order:-

golf at Royan. St Laurent and Saintes
water parks on the island of Oleron and at St Palais
fishing at the Lac de Cadeuil or Lac de Trizay
sea fishing – enquire at La Cayenne, Marennes
oyster museum in Marennes – far more interesting that you’d think!
the beach, the beach or the beach (miles of them, all sandy)
fort Boyard
walking in the woods all around
the Chateau de la Roche Courbon at St Porchaire
Pierre Loti’s house in Rochefort (extraordinary!)
the maritime museum in Rochefort + 2 other museums
the old port in La Rochelle dating from the 1400s
shopping, shopping and shopping – the best places being Saintes and La Rochelle
the Roman ampitheatre in Saintes
several Roman ruins in and around Saintes
two cathedrals, one of which is very old (1200s) in Saintes
miles of sandy beach, brisk winter walking
little quirky old streets in Saintes
the port in Marennes – go to the restaurants along La Cayenne
Marennes church circa 1100
Brouage – a 15th centruy fortified town nestled in the marshes 19
Pont l’Abbe, nice little market town
the suspension bridge at Tonnay Charente circa 1750
the zoo at La Palmyre
Roman ampitheatre in Saintes
the aquarium at La Rochelle
the yachting marina at La Rochelle (les Minimes)
boating along the Charente (hire boats at Saintes or St Savinien)
quirky little streets in St Savinien
eat in the old town, La Rochelle
the pre-history museum, Saintes
exquisite little cliff town of Talmont
Corduoan lighthouse, Royan
2 windmills in St Just-Luzac
the “house” caves of Regulus and Matata, Meschers
Gallo-Roman site at Barzan 33
Royan museum
the market in Royan or Rochefort – and several others
horse riding at St Palais, on Oleron or La Tremblade
quad bikes, Ronce-les-Bains or Royan
hire bikes to cycle on Oleron
the Ile de Re and it’s amazing bridge
the island of Aix, where Napoleon spent his last night on French soil
Fort Boyard – you can get boat trips
Fort Louvois, Bourcefranc and many other forts
Le Chateau on the island of Oleron
dingy sailing , Marennes
sailing generally – ask in La Rochelle
the old Town Hall in La Rochelle
little seaside town of Fouras and Fort Vauban
visit the vineyards and taste local wine
the lighthouse Chassiron on Oleron
ile Madame – check the tides! 50
the bird sanctuary near Cadeuil
cliff village of Talmont
the international gardens “Les Jardins du Monde”
the yachting marina and seafront in Royan
the bouncey castle on Marennes beach !
several fun-fair style activities in all seaside towns and villages
guided visits available in La Rochelle
the Nazi bunker in La Rochelle (most interesting, quite big)
little train ride in Saujon
little train ride on Oleron
transporter bridge and the ship l’Hermione, Rochefort
Thalasso therapy in Royan and Oleron
seafood, food, seafood and food!
seaside and cliff walks along the coast in many places
the cognac distilleries in Cognac (an hour’s drive)
the Royal rope works in Rochefort
riverside grounds and maze in Rochefort
Emmaus in St Agnant – if you like looking through old stuff!
bird-watching. This area is a paradise for birders
lots of quaint old houses on both islands of Re and Oleron
ancient cave-chapel at Mortagne
dear little estuary town of Mornac
the old transporter bridge over the Charente, Rochefort
picturesque riverside town of Port d’Envaux
Richard the Lionheart village of Taillebourg with chateau
La Tremblade peninsular of fishing boats and seafood places
picturesque riverside town of St Savinien
medieaval forttress at St Jean d’Angle (not St Jean d’Angely!)
Roman aquaduct near Saintes
go parachuting from the little airport at St Just
visit the old port of St Martin on Ile de Re
also Ars-en-Re and Ste Marie de Re
Fort Louvois in Bourcefranc
ancient stone quarries at Crazannes
if she is in dock, visit l’Hermione, 18th century frigate in Rochefort
jet skiing in Royan
boating on the marias Poitevin (over an hour) 81
more like 2+ hours’ drive is Oradour-sur-Glane, the WWII martyr village, amazing to see
body boarding on Oleron
wind surfing on Oleron
have coffee on the Place Colbert, Rochefort, the site of the last guillotine in France, removed 1970s.
the old port in La Rochelle