The Charente-Maritime with it’s exhilarating micro-climate offers much interest. You can explore historic market towns such as Saintes, Poitiers and Angouleme with their beautiful sandstone facades, visit the revered brandy houses of Remy Martin, Martell and Courvoisier in Cognac or head for the coastline with it’s many sun-drenched sandy beaches and islands.

Beautiful beaches

                                                Zoo at La Palmyre

For those a little more energetic, guests can choose from a selection of bikes and explore the pretty local villages and pineau vineyards (not forgetting to try a few tipples along the way). Alternatively there is canoeing and fishing, along the Charente River, local golf courses, and water sports along the coastline. For the children there are zoos, aquariums, mini train rides, boat trips to the Islands of Ré, Aix and Oleron and the Futuroscope adventure park near Poitiers.

Aquarium at La Rochelle