The 10 tourist and natural sites to visit in Charente Maritime

Charente-Maritime is full of magnificent natural sites. And be careful, we're not just talking about beaches! Nature, adventure, fun, and unusual visits... Family vacations, romantic vacations, sports or relaxation, cultural or natural... There's something for everyone! We've prepared a selection of visits to please you according to your desires!

The Roche Courbon Castle

In the Val de Saintonge, in the commune of Saint-Porchaire, the Château de la Roche Courbon is the largest castle in Charente-Maritime. It contains many treasures to discover during the guided tour : period furniture, painted ceilings, ceremonial staircase... Let's not say more! You will also find a Prehistory Museum, old games for adults and children, workshops and activities...

But above all, its listed gardens have a unique feature in France : they are on stilts. And to fully enjoy them, everything is planned: pretty refreshing walks along the canal, its large ponds or a stream in the undergrowth ; a belvedere with a panorama of the castle and the park; and even an escape game in the heart of nature !

The Paleosite

Near Saintes, we go back in time, to Prehistory, at the Paléosite of Saint-Cézaire. You will have access to the first interpretation center in Europe, at the cutting edge of technology. You follow an indoor route with interactive rooms: projections, virtual reality, life-size prehistoric animals... Then you walk in a shaded natural site with reconstructions, animations and workshops to experiment with the techniques of the time.

Photo: Paleosite

The fortified castle of Saint Jean d'Angle

In the Pays d'Aunis, this fortified castle has several towers up its sleeve. No wonder, you are in the kingdom of the fairy Mélusine ! In this medieval park of Saint-Jean-d'Angle, families are well received. Children follow a treasure hunt, in the form of riddles. For parents, it's a quiz that allows you to wander around the castle and its exteriors.

A real adventure, in costumes, punctuated by staging and entertainment during the summer. Everything is done to make you appreciate castle life : reconstruction of the castle mound, medieval-inspired garden, trebuchet shooting, farmyard and farm animals, rose garden, old games... And to make things a little more challenging, do a little sport with the orienteering course and lose yourself in the corn maze.

The Towers of La Rochelle

Capital of the Pays d'Aunis, La Rochelle is a rebellious city with a troubled past. It's difficult to summarize it in a few cultural visits, but its famous towers are very significant of its history. To make the visit even more enjoyable, the panorama takes in the city, the port and the islands.

THE Oyster City

South of Marennes, in the heart of the oyster parks, the Cité de l'Huître offers you a fun and lively visit. Themed cabins, trails , introductions, films, games and activities... Something to learn for all ages ! A real immersion in this harsh environment, through a traditional profession, practiced by enthusiasts, to discover oyster farming.

The Regulus Caves

On the Arvert Peninsula, in Meschers sur Gironde, this troglodyte site, dug into the limestone cliffs, served as a habitat before welcoming you. Today, it is transformed into a Cagouille rally or a little shrimp treasure hunt... As you can see, it is as a family that we wander through its caves.

The Gallo-Roman Museum and Site of Fâ

At the end of the Arvert Peninsula, in Barzan, you enter a Gallo-Roman town renowned for its thriving economy. A museum to better understand the site, a walk through the ruins and activities during the summer allow you to understand life at the time. The size of the site is impressive and the excavations are still in progress, so it evolves every year...

Photo: Gallo-Roman Museum and Site of Fâ

Fort Boyard and the Island of Aix

We set off to explore the islands of the Charente archipelago via its famous Fort Boyard ! Since it's not open to the public, treat yourself to a cruise : a guided tour to learn all about its history or simply a romantic stroll at sunset. More invigorating : would you like to tour the Fort by catamaran ?

Photo: Fort Boyard, photo by Lesley Williamson

Its white houses with colorful shutters and its hollyhocks make it a friendly and warm place, ideal for a family day out. The island of Aix is also its fort, so atypical. Fort Liédot is nicknamed the Fort de la Sommité, because it dominates the highest point of the island at 9 m high! Its architectural heritage is also notable: church, priory, drawbridge, port and its lighthouse of course... Finally, we relax on its fine sandy beaches.

Photo: Aix Island, photo by Lesley Williamson

The Little Train of Saint-Trojan

Our cruise From island to island ends gently, on the island of Oléron. In Saint-Trojan-Les-Bains, it's the P'tit train, which takes us quietly through the pine forests of the Côte Sauvage d'Oléron. And for a romantic getaway, there's nothing better than the Trains du Soleil Couchant. Romance is on the agenda, admiring its landscapes and sunsets.

The island of Oléron is also its castle, its typical villages: Saint-Georges-d'Oléron, Saint-Pierre-d'Oléron, the Marais aux Oiseaux.

Photo: The Little Train of Saint-Trojan

The blue lakes of Touvérac

We're heading to Haute-Saintonge, a place full of mystery. You're already dreaming of calm, crystal-clear waters... Over time, the old white clay quarries have been transformed into lakes. Nestled in the middle of the forest, it's an exotic and now preserved world that offers breathtaking landscapes.

Photo: The blue lakes of Touvérac, photo by Lesley Williamson

We hope that this discovery of the territories of Charente-Maritime has inspired you, because there are so many other tourist and natural sites to visit that this list can only be exhaustive.

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Article written by Stéphanie Tempier for the Charente Maritime Guide.