The Local Area
There is so much to do in the Charente
Maritime, ‘The second sunniest department in France’.
It is a beautiful region with wonderful countryside, fields full
of sunflowers and grape vines. Long white sandy beaches backed by
fragrant pine forests, historic towns and villages, markets, châteaux,
forests, walking, cycling, theme parks, and of course seaside resorts
such as La Rochelle, Royan and the islands of Oléron, Aix
and Ré. The Interesting Towns of Cognac and Angouleme are
40 minutes drive away.
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A typically pretty street
in Saint Savinien
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Minature ferries on the
lake at Saint Savinien
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Entrance to the castle,
almost next door!
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There are several golf courses in
the area, including La Rochelle (18 hole), Cognac (18 hole) and
Menigoute (27 hole). Horse riding is available locally.
The ladies at the tourist
office in St Savinien are particularly helpful.
The Leisure island of
La Grenouillette 3 minutes walk away has a swimming pool, crazy
golf, cycling, boating lake plus plenty of areas for picnics.
Beaches
There are many superb beaches the nearest at Fouras only 30
mins drive away, have a look at their website
This page from the Charente Maritime shows all the beaches
One of the nicest beaches is chatelaillon-plage
lots of info and pics on this site
Cognac
A beautiful town with parks and markets. Visit their website.
There are three famous distilleries, Remy Martin, Hennessey and
Martell. Here you can take a free-guided tour, taste the delicious
Cognac and buy at a discounted price from the on-site shop. The
town of Cognac is pedestrianised. There is good shopping, bars,
cafés and restaurants.
Saintes
A beautiful Roman town with wonderful architecture, narrow streets
with interesting shops and street cafes. It still has traces of
it’s Gallo-Roman past such as the Roman Amphitheatre. The river
runs through the town and there are some lovely parks, bars and
cafés along the river. You can take boat trips down the lovely
Charente River. website
St Jean d’Angely
Only 15 mins away. Excellent water park. 5 swimming pools, water
slides etc. There is also canoeing, kayaking, pedaloes and fishing.
Lovely old buildings and cobbled streets, lots of quaint shops,
bars, cafés and restaurants. There is a market every Wednesday
and Saturday morning. website
La Rochelle
Ancient walled port town with arcaded streets. Two towers overlook
the old port. There is also a beach and an excellent Aquarium. This
is the place for seafood, masses of restaurants line the harbour.
A great place to have a meal and people watch. Street buskers will
entertain you. The natural history museum is recommended. La Rochelle
is a great place for boutique style shops. If you are there in July
don’t miss the international music festival. website
Ile d’Aix
No cars on this island. You can hire bikes or just walk around this
peaceful, beautiful place. There are plenty of little coves and
beaches, and nice restaurants. Website
Ile d’Oleron
Accessed by a 2-mile long viaduct. A lovely day out, drive around
the island and discover the pretty towns. Some truly beautiful beaches
backed by forests. website
Ile de Ré
Miles of sandy beaches and small coves, good swimming and nice cycling.
Where the French celebs go for their holidays. website
Rochefort
Good shopping and a nice town square where you can sip a drink or
two! Good wildlife in the surrounding marshes. website
Royan
One of the largest seaside resorts of France, it is modern and very
clean. You can hire sailing boats at the Marina and take a trip
around the bay. Good boutiques. website
La Palmyre is beautiful and
has an excellent zoo.
website
Saint-Georges-de-Didonne
Great beach with dunes and pine trees. Nice for picnics. website
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