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