Quality B&Bs in the Charentes and neighbouring areas
A short guide to the Charentes and their tourist attractions

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Les départements des Charentes  The French departments (counties) of Charente (16) and Charente Maritime (17) make up the southern half of the Poitou-Charentes region, in central western France. Stretching from the Atlantic coast to the first foothills of the Massif Central, this area of the Poitou Charentes region enjoys a generally mild climate, and is the sunniest part of France outside the Mediterranean coastal strip.

Ile de ré - plage    Essentially rural departments, Charentes provide a pleasant and relaxing environment for holidaymakers in search of a few days or weeks away from the hustle and bustle of urban life. The largest city in the Charentes, the port of La Rochelle which is the capital of the Charente Maritime department, has well under 100,000 inhabitants; and Angoulême, capital of the Charente department, has less than 50,000. Beyond these local "big cities" Charentes is a profoundly rural area, with small country towns, villages, chamlets, and acres and acres of farmland and vineyards; and in recent years, it is an area that has attracted a large number of holidaymakers from northern Europe, particularly from the UK and the Netherlands.
    Tourism is one of the region's main economic activities, and naturally is is concentrated most heavily along the coast, including the offshore islands of Oléron and Ré (photo above), where there are plenty of fine sunny and sandy beaches. The coastline also attracts surfers, windsurfers and yachtsmen, thanks to it regular winds and small ports and marinas. La Rochelle is a mecca for yachtsmen.  However, it should not be imagined that the whole coastline of the Charentes is fringed with beautiful sandy beaches, szince this is not the case. Between the beaches, other economic activities occupy their share of the coastline, notably the large areas of oyster beds, for which the Charentes coast is famed. The Marennes-Oléron oyster beds are among the most extensive in Europe.
La Charente à Envaux   As for the hinterland of Charente Maritime, and the department of thea Charente, these areas offer plenty of opportunities for rural tourism, cultural tourism or river tourism. The river Charente is a long tranquil river, winding through the area, and navigable for a distance of over 100 miles from the mouth, at the small port of  Rochefort sur Mer, as far inland as Angoulême.
   The region's other major economic activity is wines and spirits; indeed, the Cognac vineyard area covers over 150,000 acres spread over the two departments, centered on the town of Cognac, famous as the world's brandy capital. But "Cognac" is not the only great local drink; much of the local grape harvest goes to making a sweet apéritif wine known as Pineau des Charentes, which is popular throughout France and beyond.

Sights and tourist attractions in Charentes:
  • La RochelleLa Rochelle (17); one of the great historic ports on France's Atlantic coastline. Harbour, marina, old town, fortifications. (photo opposite). The La Rochelle aquarium is one of the finest in Europe.
  • Rochefort (17). This small port at the mouth of the Charente was once an important naval base. Among the sights worth visiting are the old Royal Rope Works, and the house of the 19th century writer and traveller Pierre Loti, with its authentic Moroccan interior, imported by Loti from north Africa.
  • Royan (17) : One of France's classic seaside resorts, at the end of the Gironde estuary. Nearby the Palmyre zoo is the largest private zoo in France, and reputedly one of the best in Europe. The Gardens of the World park in Royan has typical gardens from different countries.
  • Saintes (17). Once the Roman capital of this part of Gaul, Saintes has a Roman triumphal arch and amphitheatre. It also has an attractive old centre, with the 11th century  Abbaye aux Dames, St Peter's Cathedral, and mediaeval streets.
  • Saintonge: (17)  This area around Saintes is famous for its remarkable collection  Romanesque churches adorned with intricately carved medieval statues, doorways, corbels and capitals. Particularly noteworthy are the churches at Saintes, Talmont, Aulnay, Rioux and Chadenac, to name but five.
  • Saujon  (17). Train des Mouettes -  The Seagull Line , almost 14 miles of track between Saujon (between Saintes & Royan) and la Tremblade, along the Seudre estuary. Steam-hauled trains operate during the summer weeks.
  • Islands of Ré and Oléron (17) - Located a short distance off the mainland, and accessible by bridges (toll), these islands are very popular with holidaymakers on account of their climate and fine beaches.
  • St Martin de Ré (17) - on the island of Ré; small port town with impressive fortifications designed by the great military architect Vauban in the late 17th Century. A UNESCO world heritage site.
  • Angoulème (16) The capital of the Charente department has a historic walled city centre and a famous cathedral dating from the early mediaeval period, but extensively renovated and embellished in the 19th century..
  • Aubeterre sur Dronne: a very pretty village, reputed one of the prettiest in France, with a famous mediaeval underground church
  • Cave à cognacCognac (16) Visitors can take guided tours of Cognac cellars and the old town (photo opposite)

Photos licence GNU  by  : Alain Pepper, Tuxman, J-P Bazard, Tobi Toaster

 
       
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