French Holiday Ideas | Beside the seaside in Charente-Maritime

As France’s twelfth biggest region, Poitou-Charentes has plenty of variety and options when it comes to choosing a theme for your next holiday.
But given that this Western region has one of the mildest in all of France, it’s the delightful coastline of one of its four departments, Charente-Maritime, that draws many visitors.

La Rochelle:

The département, the most populated in Poitou-Charentes, was originally named Charente-Inférieure when it was created during the French Revolution, and boasts as its capital the charming, historic port town of La Rochelle.

Dominated by its two impressive towers straddling the harbour entrance, the Vieux Port is the main focus of the town, with lively bars and seafood restaurants presenting the daily catch from the town’s busy fishing industry.

The old town is a neat and compact place to explore shops and more cafés, with a very civilised atmosphere thrown in for good measure, while the town’s aquarium is a must-see for families. It’s one of the largest in Europe and is a great way to spend a couple of hours looking and learning.

Iles de Re-St martin de Re:

A half-hour drive west of the town is île de Ré, a narrow, 30km long island flanked on either side by sandy beaches and marshland dotted with oyster beds (seafood is abundant in these parts, naturally).

It’s the holiday destination of choice for the French ‘in the know’, so be sure to book accommodation early for a summer break.

The island’s capital, St-Martin, is a delightful fishing port with whitewashed houses and a convivial air, the perfect place to unwind and enjoy the gentle rhythms of French coastal life. Another island worth visiting is Aix, a tiny crescent-shaped home to just 120 inhabitants.

Rochefort:

Maritime history lovers, meanwhile, should head south of La Rochelle to the town of Rochefort. It’s home to the historic Corderie Royale, an old munitions and rope-making centre housed in a hugely grand building that today remembers its role in supplying the French navy’s rope.

Naturally protected by the surrounding islands, the town was chosen by Colbert, controller of French finances under Louis XIII, to become the largest military arsenal of the French Kingdom.

More than 350 vessels were built, armed and maintained here and today another nod to history comes in the shape of the intricately reconstructed frigate, l’Hermione, built using tradtitional techniques as an exact copy.

Charente-Maritime is a brilliant destination for families, thanks to popular seaside resorts such as Royan. As well as offering wide, sandy beaches and a safe environment for children (most resorts have lifeguard stations on the beaches during the tourist season, guaranteeing safe swimming), there are lots of options for adrenaline junkies, who can take to the sea for a range of high-energy activities, from sailing and surfing to the sand yachting or kitesurfing.

It’s important to note, too, that many beaches now have the ‘Handiplage’ (Handibeach) quality label and have full amenities for people with reduced mobility.

French holidays accommodation: Gites and B&B in Poitou-Charentes


Monday, April, 18th at 11.35 by Katharine Barrau