Escape for a weekend in Charente-Maritime

Want to get some fresh air this weekend? Charente-Maritime is a vast playground for all lovers of sports, nature, culture, and gastronomy. The Charente Maritime Guide offers a range of activities to enjoy with family, as a couple, or with friends.

Set off on a Tèrra Aventura

Embark on an adventure with your children in Charente-Maritime thanks to Tèrra Aventura, the geocaching site in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. This free, life-size treasure hunt immerses you in a captivating world. Using your mobile phone and the dedicated app, choose a route based on its theme, duration, or difficulty. Clues have been hidden in the heart of urban or natural heritage; set out to find them and answer the riddles you encounter. You'll be rewarded with the discovery of Poï'z, the small Tèrra Aventura characters to collect. A great opportunity to enjoy sports in a fun and cultural way with family or friends.

Cycling on the Vélodyssée

From La Rochelle to Royan, you can cycle no less than 130 kilometers on a section of the Vélodyssée. This sporty ride runs along the ocean, takes you through marshes and canals, and allows you to explore the Arvert peninsula via the Coubre forest. After the effort, the reward! The beaches of Royan await you for a well-deserved rest!

Visit La Rochelle and its aquarium

Once a fishing village and a trading port for salt and wine, the Old Port of La Rochelle is today the city's emblem, framed by the three towers of Saint-Nicolas, Lanterne, and Chaîne. It's pleasant to stroll through the cobbled streets of the old town after passing through the Porte de la Grosse Horloge. On the quays, take the time to observe the renovated old fishing huts, admire the half-timbered houses and the 18th and 19th century mansions .

Several museums enhance a visit to La Rochelle, including its Aquarium, number 1 in Europe, which allows visitors to travel to the depths of the Atlantic coast and other continents. More than 1,200 varieties of fish and marine animals are available to discover, allowing them to explore the heart of the oceans. The Aquarium of La Rochelle is both a spectacle of wonder and a fun and educational space that seeks to raise awareness among visitors about the marine world and its protection.

Discover Rochefort and the Corderie Royale

Rochefort is a veritable open-air museum of the great era of naval arsenals and shipbuilding. Even the houses of Rochefort have symbols evocative of its maritime and military past!

This is where the famous Hermione, the frigate that brought Lafayette to the United States during the Revolutionary War, was rebuilt. Nearby, in the harbor, don't miss an unusual activity: treetop adventure on a boat. With Accro-mâts, thrills are guaranteed!

A masterpiece of military architecture, the Corderie Royale is the jewel of Rochefort and the longest rope factory in Europe at 374 meters long. This Versailles of the sea, built during the reign of the Sun King, welcomes the public of all ages for an immersive visit to the epic of sailing ships. Models, machines, images, films, objects and ropes to handle, holographic projections, interactive games, practical workshops and demonstrations... This interactive, staged space allows visitors to travel through two centuries of rope production.
Before heading out again, stop for a drink at Place Colbert. With its fountain and tide clock, it's the city's must-see, vibrant spot.

Explore the island of Oléron and meet its artisans

The island of Oléron is the second largest French island after Corsica. Salt marshes, maritime pine forests, dunes, cliffs, beaches... So many different places to explore thanks to the 100 km of marked and secure cycle paths. A fantastic outdoor playground, the ocean invites you to practice water sports, surfing, and swimming.

In the center of the island, Saint-Pierre-d'Oléron is the economic and commercial center of the island, where you can meet many artisans. Heading south, you will reach the port of La Cotinière, the first fishing port in Charente-Maritime where sea bass, sols, langoustines, etc. are unloaded. At the northern tip, the Chassiron lighthouse, 46 meters high, houses a museum and offers a superb panorama of Oléron, the islands of Aix and Ré. Finally, in the far southeast, admire a typical landscape of oyster huts.

Taste the local gastronomy

Charente-Maritime is synonymous with a treat for the taste buds, with, of course, the oysters from the Marennes-d'Oléron basin ! Bouchot mussels are also renowned, eaten as mouclade charentaise (marinière with crème fraîche) or en éclade, which is cooked in pine needles. Fish is also a delight for gourmets.

On the Île de Ré, enjoy the new potatoes with their unique flavor. With a touch of fleur de sel, it's a real treat! And have you heard of samphire ?

Pineau, the Charente-Maritime aperitif, and local wine with its marine and sunny accents go wonderfully with local specialties and products.

Dive into the heart of the cellars and taste cognac

The fruit of ancestral know-how, cognac is intimately linked to Charente-Maritime. There's nothing like a visit to the cognac vineyard to discover the myriad facets of this spirit's production process, from vinification to distillation. Produced through a double distillation process, this precious eau-de-vie is then aged in oak barrels, sometimes centuries old!

Small producers and renowned cognac houses open their doors to reveal their secrets and put your palate to the test! To appreciate the subtleties of different cognacs, depending on their aging period, a tasting is a must. A wonderful taste journey awaits!

Did you like our article? Visit the Charente Maritime Guide blog and the Charente Maritime Guide Facebook page to discover great tips, beautiful photos and information about this region. You can also find us on Instagram @guidecharentemaritime