Family vacations in Charente-Maritime

Are you looking for fun activities for a family holiday in Charente-Maritime? Between the beaches and water sports centres, hiking and cycling, museums and other tourist sites in the region... You won't be bored! Whether you want to explore the coastline and natural countryside areas, play sports in a group, enjoy leisure areas to have fun with the family, or visit authentic villages... You'll find what you're looking for in Charente-Maritime. Let's go for a nature, sports, cultural or fun holiday, but with the family of course!

Photos of the article © Guide Charente Maritime

Discover the Charente-Maritime region, from the coast to the Charente countryside

Charente-Maritime is appreciated for its beaches and its Atlantic coastline, its archipelago of islands, its picturesque villages and ports, its Saintonge countryside and its Haute-Saintonge wine-growing region... Territory by territory, we take you to the most pleasant places to visit with the family.

Doing outdoor sports

With 5,000 km of hiking trails, hiking enthusiasts will be in for a treat in Charente-Maritime. The Routes of Santiago de Compostela cross the region and will introduce you to remarkable monuments of religious heritage. The trails run along the coast, between beaches, dunes, and pine forests.

If you prefer the countryside, part of the Marais Poitevin is located in Charente-Maritime and will offer you bucolic walks.

There are also plenty of bike rides to enjoy. Whether you're a fan of long cycle routes or quiet greenways, some are famous: the Vélodyssée, the Vélo Francette, the Scandibérique, etc. Others are new additions to the list of cycle tours, such as the Flow Vélo.

Enjoy the pleasures of water in a water park

If you don't want to swim in the sea and get sand between your toes, water sports centers are a good option! The facilities are completely safe for children and there are areas reserved for them. In addition, they have the advantage of offering activities suitable for all ages : inflatable structures, slides, sports pools, paddling pools for little ones, relaxation area... There are many activities, especially during the summer season.

Have fun in an amusement park

To please the children, nothing could be simpler… You take them to a leisure park. This is a good opportunity to have fun, share good times of laughter and make great holiday memories. Indoor play parks, outdoor inflatables, karting and quad tracks, adventure parks in the great outdoors… There is something for all tastes, all ages and all desires!

Learn history through its historical monuments

The region is quite significant in the history of France and has intensely experienced each of the major historical periods. Over the course of time, from the Gallo-Roman era to modern times, we offer a journey through time to introduce your children to the history of France and satisfy your curiosity:

• Prehistory at the Saint-Cézaire Paleosite.
• The Gallo-Roman period in Saintes, with its ancient monuments: amphitheater, thermal baths and other Roman remains... and the Site of Fâ de Barzan.
• The Middle Ages at the Château fort de Saint-Jean-d'Angle : this leisure park is a fairy-tale kingdom for budding princesses and knights.
• For older children, Pons is a very well-preserved medieval town. You can explore its dungeon there.

• The Renaissance at the Château de la Roche Courbon : it offers activities for all ages such as the Castle game, Préhistozen, ancient games, a trail for children...
• Modern times, under the reign of the Sun King and the era of Vauban's famous fortifications, at the fortified citadel of Brouage.
• The Wars of Religion in La Rochelle : this ancient Protestant city is the ideal place to understand this bloody religious conflict and this war which divided the French.

We hope that these few ideas have inspired you for your next family vacation in Charente Maritime.

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Article written by Stéphanie Tempier for the Charente-Maritime Guide.