Charente-Maritime places to visit and attractions
Below you can explore some of the most popular highlights and places of interest in the Charente-Maritime department of Poitou-Charentes. See also our Charente-Maritime travel guide
Ars-en-Re
Ars-en-Ré is one of the pretty villages to explore on the Ile-de-Ré See guide
Brouage
The town of Brouage is visited for the substantial fortifications and citadel, dating from the Napoleonic era See guide
Chatelaillon-Plage
The seaside resort of Chatelaillon-Plage has a long sandy beach and a friendly atmosphere See guide
Fouras
While the beaches are the main highlight here in Fouras, be sure to also visit the Vauban fortifications See guide
Ile d'Oleron
It is usually the beaches that attract visitors to Ile d'Oleron, but allow time to explore the towns as well! See guide
Ile de Re
The Ile-de-Ré is an island with lots of sandy beaches and some attractive villages. Much loved by cycling families! See guide
Ile-d'Aix
Ile d'Aix is a small island, explored on foot or by bike, known for its association with Napoleon See guide
Jonzac
Best known as a spa town Jonzac also has a small castle and other monuments to discover See guide
La Flotte-en-Re
The village of La Flotte-en-Ré is a pretty village on the Ile-de-Ré See guide
La Palmyre
You will find a beach at La Palmyre but it is best known for its very popular zoo See guide
La Rochelle
The historic town and monuments and the vibrant harbour area make La Rochelle one of our favourite towns in France See guide
La Rochelle aquarium
The aquarium in La Rochelle features various parts, including a shark tank and many colourful sea creatures See guide
La Rochelle harbour
The harbour area in La Rochelle is the liveliest part of the town, with numerous restaurants, street entertainers, artists and the aquarium See guide
La Rochelle Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum in La Rochelle contains an eclectic mix of items collected by 19th century explorers See guide
La Rochelle towers
These three fortress towers protect the entrance to the harbour in La Rochelle See guide
La Tremblade
Visit the beach and port at La Tremblade, and explore the sand dunes See guide
Marais Poitevin
The Marais-Poitevin is a region of canals and marshes, an unusual environment best explored by boat See guide
Marans
Marans is a small town with a pretty section along the river in the town See guide
Meschers-sur-Gironde
The beaches and rocky coast attract visitors to Meschers, and you can also see troglodyte cave dwellings See guide
Mornac-sur-Seudre
Not far from Royan the centre of Mornac-sur-Seudre is attractive and very pleasant to stroll around See guide
Pons
Pons is a quiet small town overlooked by a castle tower that is a pleasant place for a stroll See guide
Rochefort
Rochefort is an attractive 18th century town with a famous corderie, where ropes and ships were made See guide
Ronce-les-Bains
Ronce-les-Bains is a long established resort with several beaches nearby, and an important centre for mussel farming See guide
Royan
At Royan you will enjoy the beaches and also the promenade along the seafront See guide
Saint-Jean d'Angely
The historic centre of Saint-Jean d'Angely has several notable monuments including the abbey church and some medieval houses See guide
Saint-Martin-de-Re
On the north coast of Ile-de-Ré, the village of Saint-Martin-de-Ré is very pretty and has an attractive port See guide
Saint-Savinien
In an attractive setting on the banks of the Charente River, Saint-Savinien also has a few historic sites of interest See guide
Saintes
The town of Saintes is very interesting, with an extensive old-town to explore and a Roman amphitheatre See guide
Surgeres
It is the cluster of monuments in the park in the centre of Surgeres that are the principal attraction in the town See guide
Talmont
Talmont-sur-Gironde is one of the prettiest villages in Charente-Maritime, well known for the imposing roman style church See guideFor more information see the Charente-Maritime guide
Market towns & days in Charente-Maritime
all markets in morning unless otherwise stated
Ars-en-Re: every day except Tuesday (high season only)
Ars-en-Re: Tuesday
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)
La Rochelle: every day
La Tremblade: every day except Tuesday
Le Bois-Plage-en-Re: every day
Le Chateau-d'Oleron: every day (high season only)
Les Mathes: every day except Monday
Marans: Tuesday
Matha: Tuesday, Friday and Saturday
Meschers-sur-Gironde: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (high season only)
Montendre: Thursday
Pons: Wednesday and Saturday
Rivedoux Plage: Monday and Friday
Rochefort: Tuesday and Thurday
Royan: every day except Monday
Saint Denis d'Oleron: Monday
Saint Georges de Didonne: Sunday and Monday
Saint Georges de Didonne: all days exc. Thursday (high season only)
Saint Marie de Ré: every day
Saint Pierre d'Oleron: every day
Saintes: every day except Monday
Saujon: every day except Monday and Friday
Surgeres: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
Vaux sur Mer: Monday
Vaux sur Mer: Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday (high season only)
Tourist attractions to visit in Charente-Maritime
The following sites have received official "tourist classifications"...
Zoo or wildlife park
Zoo de la Palmyre
Towns of Art and History
Rochefort: See tourist guide
Royan: See tourist guide
Saintes: See tourist guide
Secteur Sauvegardé (protected historical town centre)
La Rochelle: See tourist guide
Saintes: See tourist guide
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: See tourist guide
Villages classified as "most beautiful villages"
Ars-en-Re: See tourist guide
La Flotte-en-Re: See tourist guide
Mornac-sur-Seudre: See tourist guide
Talmont: See tourist guide
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): See tourist guide
Saintes basilique St Eutrope (monuments on French pilgrim routes): See tourist guide
Grand Sites of France
Brouage Fortifications: See tourist guide
Aquarium
Aquarium de La Rochelle: See tourist guide