Discover Charente-Maritime | Destination Île de Ré

Charente-Maritime abounds in fabulous treasures

Charente-Maritime stretches over 6864 km2. It borders five départements.

Its Atlantic coastline is the stuff of dreams: 463 km of coastline, including 230 km on the islands alone. Île d’Oléron, Île de Ré, Île d’Aix opposite Fort Boyard, and Île Madame all contribute to its charm.

The hinterland is just as attractive. It’s the land of vineyards, clinging to the hills, from which Pineau Charentais and Cognac are made. Its 3 rivers – the Charente, Seudre and Sèvre Niortaise – and its 17 streams, all contribute to the region’s lush greenery and agricultural tradition. The Seudre estuary is the largest wild estuary in France. The most important towns are La Rochelle, Rochefort, Saintes and Royan.

The Charente-Maritime climate is mild in winter, with plenty of sunshine, thanks to the ocean’s influence. It is the leading tourist department on France’s Atlantic coast, and one of the most popular with the French.

At the last census (2021), the department had a population of 661,404. Charente-Maritime is part of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.

Tourism in Charente-Maritime

Charente-Maritime enjoys a mild climate all year round, thanks to its location on the Atlantic Ocean and the warm Gulf Stream marine current that runs along the coast. The department enjoys 2,300 hours of sunshine a year, putting it on a par with Corsica and southeastern France.

The birthplace of Cognac and Pineau des Charentes, the department owes part of its name to the Charente river that flows through it.

Attractions in Charente-Maritime

Rivers and estuaries: the Sèvre Niortaise, Charente, Seudre and Gironde estuaries.
Islands: Ré, Oléron, Aix, Madame, the Arvert peninsula with Royan, La Palmyre, Saint-Palais-sur-Mer, Vaux-sur-Mer, Ronce-les-Bains, Saint-Georges-de-Didonne, La Tremblade and its hinterland…
Towns: La Rochelle, Rochefort-sur-Mer, Saintes, etc.

Not forgetting seaside resorts such as Châtelaillon and Fouras.

colorful beach houses on Oleron island in France

Roman Remains of the spectacular Roman amphitheatre which once held 15,000 spectators, the entire population of Saintes. Saintes in Poitou-Charentes is the second largest city in Charente-Maritime, Saintes was once the first capital of Aquitaine, home to the Gallic tribe Santon and was known as Mediolanum Santonum.

panorama of the corderie royale in Rochefort, France

Lighthouses and fortifications on the island of Aix

Must-see sites in Charente-Maritime

Charente-Maritime preserves and enhances its heritage.

The media-friendly Fort Boyard, off the coast of Ile d’Aix, was designed by Vauban in the 17th century to protect the great Rochefort arsenal, but was actually completed in the 19th century. Monsieur de Vauban, engineer, town planner and military architect to the King, left his mark. The fortifications he designed for the islands of Charente-Maritime and along the coast tell the story of a major part of French history. Was Vauban a genius?

Brouage, a fortified village in the heart of the marsh, 6 km from Marennes, was once a port for the salt trade.

The Corderie Royale de Rochefort is a listed historic monument. The ropes for the King’s ships were made here. This is also where, 20 years ago, the Hermione-La Fayette Association embarked on a formidable adventure to rebuild the Hermione frigate. In 1780, this ship enabled La Fayette to join the American insurgents fighting for their independence. The new Hermione is splendid – how many kilometers of ropes and cables does it comprise? You’ll have to go there to find out!

Other sites are well worth a visit. They enchant young and old alike.

La Rochelle Aquarium

The La Rochelle Aquarium invites you to travel to the heart of the oceans. You’ll discover over 12,000 marine species, an incredible biodiversity, and the aquatic world will no longer hold any secrets for you.

One of the largest private aquariums in Europe, it’s a veritable living museum. It is an invaluable tool for observing marine flora and fauna.

It will give you a better understanding of the ocean, but above all of the notion of biodiversity and its preservation, a major challenge for a more sustainable future.

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La Palmyre Zoo

La Palmyre is located on the Arvert peninsula, between Royan and Ile d’Oléron. Set in 18 hectares of pine forest, the park is laid out as a landscaped garden. Visitors can observe 1,600 animals of 115 species: primates, birds, carnivores, mammals and reptiles. Between 200 and 250 births are recorded every year.

La Palmyre Zoo is involved in numerous programs to save endangered species. It plays an important role in the reintroduction of animals into their natural environment, and constantly strives to improve their quality of life. Founded in 1966, it is one of the most visited sites in Charente-Maritime.

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The Paleosite

Neanderthal man cut flint to light fires. 15 km from Saintes, in a 10-hectare park, the Paleosite is an astonishing immersion in the heart of prehistory.

The site was created with the support of internationally renowned scientists and the world’s leading Neanderthal specialists. A museographic area, fun and interactive activities and exhibitions take visitors back in time, in the footsteps of this man who is said to be our ancestor.

Just a 2-minute walk from the Paléosite, a Neanderthal skeleton, nicknamed Pierrette, was discovered a few years ago. The La Roche à Pierrot archaeological site is still being excavated, and in summer can be visited with a guide.

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The Cité de l’huître

Discover the oyster farming profession at the Cité de l’huître, in Marennes, between marshes and oyster huts. This site is designed to bring the public and professionals together.

Visitors can ask questions about the life and habits of this delicious, vitamin-packed shellfish, the pride of the Charente-Maritime region.

A visit to the shack where the oysters are matured, cooking demonstrations, fun and educational activities – there’s plenty for the whole family to enjoy. The shuckers will also teach you how to open oysters, which can be very useful… Don’t you agree?

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La Rochelle Maritime Museum

Just a stone’s throw from the old port, in the Bassin des Chalutiers, a fleet unique in France is waiting to be discovered. The Musée Maritime de La Rochelle has assembled, restored and maintains a heritage fleet of eight vessels, with the support of the town. Surprises guaranteed.

The France 1, weather frigate. L’Angoumois, a stern trawler. The Saint Gilles, an ocean-going tug. Joshua, Bernard Moitessier’s legendary ketch. Canot major and lifeboat. Manuel Joël, the last of the fishing trawlers. Steam dredger. Some of these boats can be visited.

Exhibitions and children’s activities are organized. A restaurant is even open on the deck of the France 1 during the summer.

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La Rochelle Natural History Museum

The La Rochelle Natural History Museum is housed in the former palace of the Governor of Aunis. Here you’ll find collections from the four corners of the globe.

It will satisfy the curiosity of ethnology enthusiasts, science buffs, keen travelers or simply those wishing to learn more about the world and its evolution over time.

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Two heritage sites to immerse yourself in Charente-Maritime’s past

Ladies’ Abbey

The Abbey aux Dames in Saintes is a jewel of Romanesque architecture.

The dimensions of this 12th-century building are imposing. Following extensive restoration, a cultural center has been created.

A veritable city within a city, the abbey is also a musical city. Every summer, the Saintes Festival of classical music takes place here.

The abbey once housed between 60 and 80 nuns.

Today, the cells have been converted into rooms, which can be rented for one or more nights.

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The Pilgrims’ Hospital

In the medieval town of Pons, the Hôpital des Pèlerins is a former hospice. Built in the 12th century, it served as a stopover for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. The vaulted porch still bears graffiti, and numerous sculptures adorn the portals.

The needy and the sick also came for assistance, and children were left at the entrance under the porch. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Pilgrim’s Way to Santiago de Compostela, it is one of the oldest surviving hospital complexes in Europe.

The building and the remains of the priory church can be visited to discover the history of pilgrimage and hospitality in days gone by. The setting also lends itself to cultural events. The medicinal garden was once the hospital pharmacy. Today, 130 species are planted here. Enough to please all herb lovers, to prepare remedies, herbal teas and ointments, and to spice up home-cooked meals.

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In Charente-Maritime Fill up on activities!