Sustainable tourism in Charente-Maritime

Tourism habits have changed! Closer destinations are now preferred. New trends have emerged as a result. They have the advantage of being as economical for the planet as they are for your wallet. Let's take a look at eco-friendly holiday concepts and best practices to adopt to be an eco-responsible tourist in Charente-Maritime!

Cover photo: Île Madame and its road revealed at low tide

Slow tourism and micro-tourism

Slow tourism is a concept of tourism that embraces a slower pace. The idea is simple: disconnect from our hectic daily lives to reconnect with nature and take the time to savor a peaceful vacation. This awareness of one's environment leads to ecological concerns.

Microtourism, on the other hand, offers the opportunity to enjoy unique experiences close to home. The advantages include spending less time traveling, leaving more time for activities; saving money on transportation costs, allowing you to allocate more to outings; and, of course, reducing your carbon footprint.

We will suggest a set of best practices to adopt to be an eco-responsible tourist:

• Avoid overly distant destinations and favour micro-tourism;
• Use environmentally friendly modes of transport;
• Choose alternative and responsible accommodation;
• Collect your waste and sort it;
• Pay attention to your immediate surroundings: where you walk, what you pick up…

Ecolabels for tourist accommodation

Choosing an eco-certified vacation rental is a key element of your environmental commitment! This ensures that the accommodations you select are committed to respecting their surroundings. The criteria are very diverse and cover renewable energy, resource conservation (such as water), efficient waste management, and eco-friendly maintenance.

Follow the principles of " Soft Mobility " when getting around

Sustainable mobility lives up to its name, encompassing all modes of transport that are gentle on the planet. But that's not its only advantage. It's also very economical and often involves physical activity. Walking and cycling, buses, coaches, carpooling, trains, and trams are all available to help you get around in an eco-friendly way. Here are a few tips:

• The gentlest mode of transport is undoubtedly walking. To combine business with pleasure, you will explore charming country lanes, forest paths, and the routes of the Grande Randonnée and Compostelle.

• You're more of a cyclist. Cycling is widely recommended for eco-friendly travel. To enjoy it with peace of mind, be sure to check out the many greenways, cycle paths, and cycle routes available for sharing the road with motorists. In Charente-Maritime, it's easy because the terrain is generally flat and the department has a good network of cycle routes.

• For your intercity journeys, use public transport. It's also very convenient for families with children.

Seaside resorts in Charente-Maritime awarded the " Blue Flag " label

Are you familiar with the Blue Flag label* ? It's based on environmental quality criteria, concerning the management of beaches and the coastline, as well as the preservation of the seabed within the maritime domain of municipalities. As a tourist, you can be sure you'll relax on a clean beach, swim in pristine water, and do your part for the ocean!

• La Rochelle : Chef de Baie beach ;
• Le-Bois-Plage-en-Ré : Gros-Jonc, Les Gollandières ;
• La Couarde-sur-Mer (Ile de Ré): Peu Ragot beach ;
• Royan : Foncillon, La Grande Conche, Le Chay, Le Pigeonnier ;
• Ile d'Oléron : the Port of Saint-Denis-d'Oléron;
• Saintes : Port Larousselle.

*This list was updated in June 2026.

The most beautiful villages of Charente-Maritime, classified as " Green Resorts "

The "green resort" label * recognizes villages that are making an effort towards ecological transition, in terms of recycling, renewable energy, and land management. Green resorts in Charente-Maritime:

• Jonzac ;
• Montendre.

*The list was updated in June 2026.

The "Great Sites of France" of Charente

The Federation of " Grands Sites de France " was created to protect and promote remarkable landscapes, whose environment, heritage, and panoramas are among the most beautiful in the country. These are top-tier tourist destinations committed to sustainable tourism.

In Charente-Maritime, this network is particularly well represented*:

• The Charente Estuary and the Rochefort Arsenal officially benefit from the prestigious "Grand Site de France" label, highlighting this historic river and its exceptional maritime heritage.
• The Marais Poitevin, part of which extends into the north of the department, is also labeled "Grand Site de France" (known as the Marais Mouillé or "Green Venice").
• The Brouage Marsh, nestled between the Charente and Seudre estuaries near Rochefort, is actively engaged in a project to obtain this label in turn.

*This list was updated in June 2026.

The natural parks of Charente-Maritime

Areas classified as "Natural Parks," "Nature Reserves," or "Natura 2000 sites" are protected for their flora and fauna. You can explore them, but be very careful not to leave any trace of your visit. In Charente-Maritime, the following natural areas are accessible:

• The National Nature Reserve of the Bay of Aiguillon ;
• The Lilleau des Niges Nature Reserve on the island of Ré ;
• The Bird Marsh on the island of Oléron ;
• The Moëze-Oléron Nature Reserve ;
• The Yves Marsh Nature Reserve ;
• The Vitrezay Nature Center ;
• The Nature Hub of the Cabane de Moins.

Eco-friendly tourism activities

Having fun during family activities while being a responsible tourist is possible! We give you a few ideas to please the whole family without impacting the environment:

• An unusual discovery of the northern coastline of the island of Oléron by sea kayak ;
• The best kitesurfing spots in Charente-Maritime ;
• A bucolic outing by paddleboard or canoe-kayak on the Rompsay Canal in La Rochelle ;
• Rent a boat in La Rochelle, to go coastal cruising along the Charente coast ;
• Exotic journey to the heart of the Matha Bamboo Grove ;
• Mornac-sur-Seudre, an invitation to travel on the banks of the estuary ;
• Discovering the Sèvre Niortaise and Marans rivers ;
• The Vélorail de la Saintonge...

Markets and producers of Charente-Maritime

Going to a market means meeting local producers, tasting regional products, supporting the local economy, and reducing your carbon footprint by buying through short supply chains. We'll take you to the markets and producers of the Charente region:

• The Central Market of Royan, the kingdom of joviality ;
• Eat local with the Ré-Unis producers' farm!
• Enjoy the organic kiwis from Meux ;
• The salt workers of the island of Ré: the secrets of white gold ;
• Seaweed from the island of Ré ;
• Saffron, the red gold of the Île de Ré...

Wine tourism in Charente-Maritime

And to accompany these delicious local dishes, all that's missing is a good wine. For environmentally responsible wine tourism, we invite you to visit estates committed to respecting their land and ancestral know-how.

Here, between the ocean and the estuaries, winegrowers are actively involved in the sustainable development of viticulture. Whether it's Charentais country wines, Pineau des Charentes or Cognac, many professionals are choosing biodiversity : natural grass cover between the rows of vines, reduction or abandonment of chemical inputs, and a return to gentler harvesting and winemaking methods.

Going to meet them means discovering what goes on behind the scenes through educational visits, thoughtful tastings, and walks through vineyards certified organic, biodynamic, or High Environmental Value (HVE). A wonderful opportunity to savor the terroir while preserving the beauty of our landscapes.

Promoting local crafts

If you want to promote the local economy and support craftsmanship, don't hesitate to visit designer boutiques to find original items or to visit the workshops of artisans and artists to discover their works.

Choosing Charente craftsmanship means supporting local producers and unique expertise, often inspired by the surrounding nature. From pottery to leather goods, and including woodworking, our artisans are brimming with imagination, bringing raw materials to life. By meeting them directly, you'll discover passionate individuals who embody the spirit of our region, pass on ancestral techniques, and are increasingly committed to eco-design. Taking home one of their pieces means carrying an authentic piece of our region.

We hope we have inspired you to visit Charente-Maritime in a different way and we wish you a happy eco-friendly holiday.

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