The Charente Maritime has a varied coastline, with beautiful beaches, fishing towns and fabulous fresh sea-food restaurants ( Its famous for its oysters ). The 'Marais' are former marshlands, now criss-crossed with small canals, and are wonderful to cycle or canoe through and see wildlife. Hiers Brouage is a perfectly intact fortified little town in the marais. Rochefort is a pretty and unspoilt town with a rich maritime history, museums, the Hermione ship and a lovely market. ( three times weekly ). Saintes was the second largest town in roman gaul and has a huge roman ampitheatre and arch, two beautiful and interesting Abbeys and much more. Cognac is only an hour's drive away through pretty countryside, with many really good small museums and lovely restaurants. The Charente river passes through all those towns and in addition we are close to the beautiful riverside villages of St Savinien and Port D'Enveaux where you can rent canoes or swim.
We are between half an hour to 45 minutes away from several beautiful wide beaches, from the cote sauvage to the Ile d'oleron.
There is also horse-riding, picnicking with donkeys, cycling, stone carving, walking, water-parks, eco-reserves, a zoo, museums for old and young and much more.
The Charente Maritime has a varied coastline, with beautiful beaches, fishing towns and fabulous fresh sea-food restaurants ( Its famous for its oysters ). The 'Marais' are former marshlands, now criss-crossed with small canals, and are wonderful to cycle or canoe through and see wildlife. Hiers Brouage is a perfectly intact fortified little town in the marais. Rochefort is a pretty and unspoilt town with a rich maritime history, museums, the Hermione ship and a lovely market. ( three times weekly ). Saintes was the second largest town in roman gaul and has a huge roman ampitheatre and arch, two beautiful and interesting Abbeys and much more. Cognac is only an hour's drive away through pretty countryside, with many really good small museums and lovely restaurants. The Charente river passes through all those towns and in addition we are close to the beautiful riverside villages of St Savinien and Port D'Enveaux where you can rent canoes or swim.
We are between half an hour to 45 minutes away from several beautiful wide beaches, from the cote sauvage to the Ile d'oleron.
There is also horse-riding, picnicking with donkeys, cycling, stone carving, walking, water-parks, eco-reserves, a zoo, museums for old and young and much more.