Charente-Maritime

  • Ile d'Oleron

    A quieter alternative than nearby Ile-de-Ré, the Ile d'Oleron is a very popular destination during the summer months

  • La Rochelle
    The historical port town of La Rochelle is ideal for sea-front restaurants, evening promenades, historical monuments, shopping...
  • Chatelaillon Plage
    The beach resort at Chatelaillon Plage is one of the most popular along the western coast of Charente-Maritime

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gen info

Visit Charente-Maritime, France

Charente-Maritime is a very popular summer destination, especially La Rochelle which is a lovely town set around a bustling harbour, and Ile-de-Re which is popular with families looking for a sunny beach holiday.

General info

Charente-Maritime: general information

Ile de Re

Charente-Maritime is located on the Atlantic coast of western France, in the Poitou-Charentes region. The department extends from just north of La Rochelle to the Gironde estuary (north of Bordeaux) to the south.

The department is a 'transition zone' between northern France and southern France, and some of the coastal areas have a very warm micro-climate with a great deal of sunshine, and warmer conditions than you would expect.

Away from the beaches and coast the countryside here is largely flat, with small scale agricultural with crops such as sunflowers and maize interspersed with small woodlands.

Charente-Maritime coast and islands

Ile d'OleronAs well as the well known coastal resorts such as Chatelaillon Plage there are several popular islands off the coast of Charente-Maritime. The most well known of these is the Ile-de-Ré, just off the coast from La Rochelle with popular villages including Ars-en-Ré to the north-west, Flotte-en-Ré to the south-east, and the centrally placed fortified town of Saint-Martin-de-Ré.

The other main islands are at Ile d'Aix and Ile d'Oleron, another large and popular island with beaches and small towns to discover a little to the south of Ile-de-Ré.

You can also visit Fort Boyard, the sturdy castle on an island built by Napoleon and made popular by a French 'action' quiz show.

There are many boat excursions available from the coast of Charente-Maritime, to see the islands, the Gironde estuary, the lighthouses, the coastline...these boat trips leave from many of the ports eg Royan, La Rochelle, Meschers (for the Gironde estuary), Marennes and Fouras (to see the oyster beds).

See Ile-de-Ré and the north for highlights in the northern part of Charente-Maritime

See Ile d'Oleron and the southfor highlights in the southern part of Charente-Maritime

Non-coastal highlights

While it is true that the coastal regions attract most attention the Charente-Maritime also has several places of interest to discover if you venture inland!

Among these the most popular is the region of marshes and canals known as the Marais-Poitevin to the north-east of the department.

See central and eastern Charente-Maritime for highlights away from the coast

Nature reserves

Marais poitevinFor bird watchers and nature lovers there are several nature reserves in Charente-Maritime. Each of these also organises guided visits that will enable you to see the flora and fauna in a natural habitat.

These include the lagoons at Rochefort; the natural reserve of Marais de Moeze Oleron (on the coast south of Rochefort); the natural reserve of Marais d'Yves (coast between la Rochelle and Rochefort); the Maison du Fier (at Portes-en-Ré on the Ile-de-Ré); and the Natural reserve of the Bay of Aiguillon (inlet north of La Rochelle).

North coast

La Rochelle, Ile-de-Ré and the coast

The most visited part of the Charente-Maritime department, we recommend a visit combining a stay in the historical centre of La Rochelle and also the beaches and villages of Ile-de-Ré

Ars-en-Re

A picturesque village on the north coast of Ile-de-Ré, and classified among the 'most beautiful in France'

See Ars-en-Re

Chatelaillon-Plage

One of the most popular coastal resorts on the Charente-Maritime coast

See Chatelaillon-Plage

Fouras

Fouras is a popular resort with access to ferries to Ile d'Aix

Fouras

Ile-d'Aix

The Ile d'Aix, home to Napoleons 'getaway' home, is a small island with Napoleonic forts to explore

See Ile-d'Aix

Ile de Ré

A large island off the coast from La Rochelle, Ile-de-Ré has many attractive beaches and several small towns and villages to admire

See Ile de Ré

La Flotte-en-Re

The fortified town of La Flotte-en-Ré is one of several picturesque villages on the Ile-de-Ré coast

See La Flotte-en-Re

La Rochelle

The highlight of the department is undoubtedly the port town of La Rochelle, a lovely and interesting small city with lots to enjoy and discover

See La Rochelle

Saint-Martin-de-Re

St-Martin-de-Ré is perhaps the most picturesque of the small vilages on the coast of the Ile-de-Ré

See Saint-Martin-de-Re

South coast

Ile d'Oleron and the southern coast of Charente-Maritime

Quieter than the coast to the north of the department, the Ile d'Oleron and coastal resorts to the south also have much to offer.

Brouage

Visit the citadel and fortifications of this historically important town

See Brouage

Ile d'Oleron

The Ile d'Oleron is a substantial island with numerous beaches and villages to explore

See Ile d'Oleron

Meschers-sur-Gironde

Visit Meschers-sur-Gironde on the Gironde estuary near Talmont to see the interesting coastal troglodyte dwellings set in the cliffs

See Meschers-sur-Gironde

La Tremblade

La Tremblade is a small town close to extensive beaches and oyster fields

See La Tremblade

La Palmyre

A town near the coast of Charente-Maritime, La Palmyre is best known for its popular zoo

See La Palmyre

Mornac-sur-Seudre

The medieval centre of Mornac-sur-Seudre is very pleasant to explore

See Mornac-sur-Seudre

Ronce-les-Bains

The resort of Ronce les Bains has been established on the coast for more than 150 years

See Ronce-les-Bains

Royan

Royan has a pleasant seafront and easy access to several Charente-Maritime beaches

See Royan

Talmont

Talmont is a picturesque village visited for the lovely 12th century roman style church

See Talmont

Centre and east

Non-coastal highlights in Charente-Maritime

This part of the Charente-Maritime lacks important historical sights and dramatic landscapes and is rather a calm landscape to escape from the crowds, which also has several interesting places to discover

Jonzac

Jonzac is one of the newest spa and thermal towns to be established in France

See Jonzac

Marais Poitevin

The Marais-Poitevin region of marshes and canals deserves exploration - take a boat trip for the best way to appreciate the unusual environment

See Marais Poitevin

Marans

The small Charente-Maritime town of Marans has an unusual church and very attractive gardens

See Marans

Pons

Be sure to follow the ramparts walk to see Pons at its best, with the historical donjon, hospice and ramparts

See Pons

Rochefort

The principal attractions at Rochefort are the historical naval buildings including the arsenal and corderie

See Rochefort

Saint-Jean d'Angely

The abbey church and the historical houses in the old town are among the highlights of a visit to St Jean d'Angely

See Saint-Jean d'Angely

Saint-Savinien

Saint-Savinien is a quiet town in a picturesque raised position above the Charente river

See Saint-Savinien

Saintes

Saintes is an ancient town with some interesting historical monuments to explore

See Saintes

Surgeres

The very quiet town of Surgeres has an attractive park around the remains of an ancient castle

See Surgeres

Markets

Market towns & days in Charente-Maritime

All markets in morning unless otherwise stated

Ars-en-Re: Tuesday
Ars-en-Re: every day except Tuesday (high season only)
Arvert: Wednesday & Saturday
Aulnay: Sunday
Aytre: Friday
Bourcefranc-le-Chapus: Sunday
Bourcefranc-le-Chapus: Wednesday (high season only)
Breuillet: Thursday & Sunday
Chatelaillon-Plage: Tuesday & Friday &
Courcon: Wednesday
Cozes: Wednesday
Dolus-d'Oleron: every day except Wednesday & Thursday (high season only)
Echillais: Wednesday
Fouras: Tuesday & Friday
Jonzac: Tuesday & Saturday
La Bree-les-Bains: every day (high season only)
La Couarde-sur-Mer: every day (high season only)
Le Bois-Plage-en-Re: every day
Le Chateau-d'Oleron: every day (high season only)
Marans: Tuesday
Matha: Tuesday, Friday and Saturday
Les Mathes: every day except Monday
Meschers-sur-Gironde: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (all high season only)
Montendre: Thursday
Pons: Wednesday and Saturday
Rivedoux Plage: Monday and Friday
Rochefort: Tuesday and Thurday
La Rochelle: every day
Royan: every day except Monday
Saint Denis d'Oleron: Monday
Saint Georges de Didonne: Sunday and Monday, all days exc. Thursday (high season only)
Saint Pierre d'Oleron: Every day
Saint Marie de Ré: Every day
Saintes: every day except Monday
Saujon: every day except Monday and Friday
Surgeres: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
La Tremblade: every day except Tuesday
Vaux sur Mer: Monday, and Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday (high season only)

Highlights

Selected tourist destinations in the Charente-Maritime

The following sites have received official "tourist classifications"...

Zoo or wildlife park

Zoo de la Palmyre

4* Towns in Bloom

Marans

Royan

Saintes

Towns of Art and History

Rochefort

Royan

Saintes

Secteur Sauvegardé (protected historical town centre)

La Rochelle

Saintes

Listed 'Remarkable Gardens'

Jardins de la Boirie

Jardins du phare de Chassiron

La Roche Courbon

Parcs et jardins du château de Beaulon

Religious Monuments

Abbaye aux Dames de Saintes (Saintes)

Abbaye de Fontdouce (Saint-Bris-des-Bois)

Eglise de Genouillé (Genouille)

Eglise de Saint Germain (Varaize)

Eglise de Saint Pierre et eglise de Saint Hérie (Matha)

Eglise de Saint Vivien (Bagnizeau)

Eglise de Saint-Brice (Saint-Mande-sur-Bredoire)

Eglise de Saint-Pierre (Dampierre-sur-Boutonne)

Eglise de Saint-Savinien (Fenioux)

towns classified as Recommended Detours

Jonzac

Villages classified as "most beautiful villages"

Ars-en-Re

La Flotte-en-Re

Mornac-sur-Seudre

Talmont

UNESCO world heritage sites

Aulnay église St Pierre (monuments on French pilgrim routes)

Pons ancien hopital des pèlerins (monuments on French pilgrim routes)

Saint-Jean-d'Angély, abbaye royale (monuments on French pilgrim routes)

Saint-Martin-de-Ré citadelle (Vauban fortifications)

Saintes basilique St Eutrope (monuments on French pilgrim routes)

Grand Sites of France

Brouage Fortifications

Aquarium

Aquarium de La Rochelle

Map

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French version: Charente-Maritime (Francais)

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