6-Day Charente-Maritime Itinerary: Spring Holiday in France

Our Charente-Maritime itinerary was an improvised holiday break in France. Bordered by five French departments, Charente-Maritime enjoys a mild weather and is a person of France’s most well-known destinations. Its Atlantic coast has 463 km of coastline, of which 230 km on the islands, these kinds of as Ile d’Oléron opposite of Bourcefranc-Le-Chapus and Ile de Ré linked to La Rochelle. And a few rivers, the Charente, the Seudre, and the Sèvre Niortaise, cross the region’s lush environmentally friendly countryside. Perched on the hills, the vineyards in Charente-Maritime make some of the most popular spirits in the world, these as Remy Martin and Hennessy.

In Germany, colleges have Easter vacations, but not in France. As a result, we experienced a excellent time exploring this significantly less crowded and a lot less high-priced area without the need of trouble. We could not program our Charente-Maritime itinerary just before our vacation. After the vacation, we realized how lots of things to do we had carried out within just a 7 days. Below is the depth of our just one-7 days Charente-Maritime Itinerary:

• 1^st Day: IIe d’Oleron
• 2^ed Working day: Fort Louvois and Salt marshes on the island of Oleron
• 3^rd Working day: ile de re (Plage des bidons V)  La Rochelle
• 4^th Day: In the holiday property in Bourcefranc
• 5^th Working day: Cognac Tasting in Cognac, France
• 6^th Day: Dune seashore, Le Phare de La Coubre, la Palmyre, Royan, Grottes du Régulus

1^st Day: IIe d’Oleron

Beach strolling

From Bourcefranc-Le-Chapus, we handed the extended bridge related to the island and turned to the still left towards the Forest of Saint-Trojan. The beach, Plage de Saint-Trojan-les-Bains, is powering the forest. I walked on the broad seashore aimlessly, viewing the waves rippling carefully. There was no clump of seaweed washed on the beach front. Wanting significantly out, I observed a line of nickel-silver, the horizon! 

A number of attractive beaches stretch kilometres together the blue Atlantic, a paradise for beachgoers in the summertime. 

Stroll all over the imposing ramparts near the citadel of Le Château-d’Oléron 

The citadel and ramparts bordering the medieval district of Le Château-d’Oléronare are obtainable yr-round. The ramparts of the web page offer you a panoramic see of the Pure Reserve of Moëze-Oléron. It is attention-grabbing to look at how the tides improve the landscape of the port. 

Discover colourful oyster huts

All around lunchtime, we strolled in the port of Château-d’Oléron and remarkably uncovered numerous vibrant huts, Cabanes de créateurs (the designer huts). They employed to be oyster huts. The artists, from sculptors, and jewelers, to cutlers, have been establishing and repainting people huts for decades. My eyes ended up drawn to a blue hut, a pink a person, and a yellow one particular at the waterfront. What a fantastic spot for photographers!

Climbing at the northern suggestion of the island

In the late afternoon, we drove to the northern and had a cliff wander around the lighthouse, the Phare de Chassiron. The round walk close to the lighthouse rewarded us with rocky coastal sights. However, the sunset was continue to having difficulties as a result of the wet clouds, offering us a lightning chance to capture the sights. Some places have warning signs given that the cliff has erosions. We experienced to get safeguards going for walks on the cliffside.

2^ed IIe d’Oleron (Fort Louvois and boat journey in Salt marshes on the island of Oleron)

Fort Louvois

From the back garden, we could see Fort Louvois when it was obvious climate. Before we took the boat excursion in salt marshes on the IIe d’Oleron, we produced a stopover there. This 17th-century maritime fortification is straightforward to access at reduced tide on foot and by boat at higher tide. The street to the fortification was even now soaked since the minimal tide started off and coated by seaweed. For that reason, the walking path was pretty slippery. 

Bost vacation in Salt marshes in Le Grand Village Plage

A massive place of the island is salt marshes. Various salt producers welcome people to share their enthusiasm, giving excursions introducing salt farming will work and historical past. We hired a boat at Le Port des Salines and used about 45 minutes in the canals among the the salt marshes. It was a boat rowing activity for our son. So, after the boat excursion, we still expended some time there seeing the salt marshes on foot. 

3^rd ile de re (Plage des bidons V)  La Rochelle

Ile de Ré 

In the summer time seasons, Ile de Ré is exactly where you will uncover fifty percent of Paris owning its holiday getaway there. Strips of uninterrupted golden fluffy sand shorelines protect much of the island’s coast. This very small island is connected to La Rochelle by means of a toll bridge.

About lunchtime, we drove to Plage des bidons V on the western facet and discovered ourselves approximately on your own on the seaside, other than two horse riders. There have been some wild crops on the beachfront, which I could not notify the identify. 

La Rochelle

The previous harbour of La Rochelle is the centre of the city and is extremely hectic. But the 1st factor that caught my eyes was the graffiti on the partitions. They had been all substantial but nicely painted. From the centre of the harbour, we could see 3 medieval historic towers of LA Rochelle. Just one of them, the Lantern Tower, served as a Lighthouse and jail all over its heritage.

Perfectly, the strongest perception of this area is the number of its places to eat. In the entire old town, we observed restaurants and bars providing speedy food items, home made French foodstuff, international meals, and gourmand dishes. Given that most eateries open up all over 19:30, we experienced a good deal of time to look at menus. 

4^th  In the holiday getaway home in Bourcefranc

In the early morning, we woke up and noticed massive tar-black clouds transferring towards our put. We experienced a quick test exactly where to expend the day but regrettably learned that the full place would be a wet working day. We acquired up early plenty of and had breakfast, hoping the climate altered mercifully.

Quickly, I listened to the to start with splatter of rain tapping on the window, and then the drops had been drumming on the terrace. The rainfall became extreme in the subsequent hour. We had planned to check out numerous spots, but none of them experienced excellent climate. So, it was recreation enjoying and ebook examining day. 

5^th Cognac Tasting in Cognac, France

For the reason that the temperature turned greater, we were equipped to stick to our Charente-Maritime Itinerary, traveling to the city of Cognac and joined a Cognac Tasting tour. Cognac is not only the famed spirit but also the position wherever the spirit is generated. We planned to see the touristic town and the historic property of Rémy Martin. But sadly, the property was under renovation and getting ready for the upcoming 300 year’s celebration. Discontented with the problem, we went to its shop up coming doorway to purchase cognac as planned.

There, we obtained a chance to sign up for a cognac tasting tour. The 1-tour was not free of charge, but it was the only English tour of the week all through the off-season. Given that we have been unsure which brand or merchandise to obtain, it was a probability to know the solution of this high quality spirit.

6^th Lighthouse of La Coubre and Grottes du Régulus

Climb up the Lighthouse of La Coubre

The Lighthouse of La Coubre is the tallest in the Charente-Maritime, with a peak of 64 metres. It was straightforward to climb up the tower, in spite of of slender stairs. At the time on the best of the lighthouse, we had sights of the gorgeous coastline and shifting dunes.  

Grottes du Régulus

Proceed driving toward the south, and right after obtaining a swift prevent at la Palmyre, we made a decision to have lunch at Royan. Royan is a seaside resort with limitless shores of the ocean and its 5 sandy beach locations proudly flying the Blue Flag. 

Found 12 km from Royan, the Grottes du Régulus (Caves of Régulus), a municipal troglodyte site, is open to the general public for a few months of a yr. There are a handful of caves together this stretch of coast. But this a single is a municipal. 

Travel strategies for planning Charente-Maritime itinerary

Wherever to remain

We stayed in Bourcefranc-Le-Chapus. The getaway household is just on best of the cliff and future to the sea. Each and every early morning, I viewed the sunshine shining over the coastal place and the sun disappearing powering the horizon in the evening. It was such a superb residence with a whirlpool in the yard. Each and every place has a absolutely outfitted bathroom. There are several unique varieties of lodging in the region, but you need to guide ahead if you program to have a getaway there.  

The greatest getaway bases would be La Rochelle, Ile de Ré, and IIe d’Oleron. If we went there in the summertime, we would incorporate several seaside actions to our Charente-Maritime itinerary.

How to get there

• You can arrive at Charente-Maritime from 5 nearby airports: Bordeaux, Nates, La Rochelle, Biarritz, and Limoges. 
• Spending plan travellers can consider lengthy-haul buses, for instance, Paris – La Rochelle or Bordeaux – La Rochelle. Come across all the locations on the Flixbus web-site.  
• TGV sells tickets from Paris Montparnasse to La Rochell. The ride is about 2H50. 
• If you choose to travel, motorways A10 and A83 will acquire you to La Rochelle.