There are many places to visit and things to see and do during your stay here and whether you are a regular visitor to the Charente-Maritime region or it is your first stay here there will sure to be plenty to interest you. As well as the following suggestions we have also dedicated a page on the web site to the estuary itself and its places of special interest and of course being the home of the famous pineau des charentes cognac based apperitif you will be welcome at many of the local producers and chateaus. They will be delighted to show you how the product is produced and of course let you sample their wares, look for the sign visite et degustation.


mortagne sur girondeJust 4km by road and a shorter pleasant walk along the marais, the pretty port of Mortagne is a lively place to visit. Throughout the season there are many fetes, brocantes, markets and special themed entertainments, together with several bars and restaurants.
There is also the 'Ermitage'  to visit, plenty of marked walks as well as the opportunity for horseriding, canoeing  or take an unusal walk with a donkey to carry your pack!
Up in the town of Mortagne there are plenty of shops, P.O. etc and a Tourist Office (l'Office de Tourisme') where you will be able to find information on all that is going on in the immediate area as well as in the rest of the Charente-Maritime.


TalmontThis is a real jewel of a village with the fortified church of Saint Radegonde perched on the edge of the tiny peninsula.
The village is a maze of tiny streets and alleyways lined with hollyhocks and pretty cottages with beautifully flowered gardens. The village also has numerous workshops and galleries for artists and craftsmen and throughout the season there are many demonstrations and events taking place. You can also get a close up look at the carrelets, the traditional fishing cabins perched on stilts.

grottes de regulusMeschers is another lively port and small town situated around 8 miles from the house. Meschers has many shops including a supermarket, safe sandy beaches, markets both in the daytime and evening during the season, a  port area for both fishing and pleasure boats with trips available both down the estuary and out into the Atlantic.there are also the  cave dwellings to visit Regulus and Matata. From Meschers right through then to Royan and beyon there are lots of beaches both large and busy with lifeguards and smaller more secluded ones to seek out.

RoyanRoyan is the largest resort town in the area. With its superb beaches,  covered market not to be missed for   local  produce and fish (visit in the monings),  and all you would expect to find. Restaurants and bars galore, museums, galleries, wonderful old houses from the belle epoque era, The Gardens of the World, and a wealth of events and entertainment provided by the town throughout the season. Not to be missed if they coincide with your stay here, the Festival of Icarus, concerts of Violin on the Beach (Violin sur le Sable), the parades for the Belle Epoque and the huge firework display in mid August.

SaintesSaintes is one of the main towns in the area and is the sous-prefecture for the Charente-Maritime department. A gallo-roman city there is a wonderful old town to visit with some fine buildings and churches. You will find also in Saintes the remains of a roman amphitheatre right in the heart of the town, where there are a series of spectacular FREE evening shows in August (check tourist office for details), as well as the Abbey aux Dames, the crypt and church of St Eutrope, a national stud and many other places of interest. You can take a boat trip along the river Charente and there is a regular market, if you are here on the first Monday of the month then that is the foire, which is an enormous market stretching right through the town and going on all day.
BROUAGE - 17th century citadelle developed by Richelieu is a truly magic place, it is also the birthplace of Champlain the man who discovered Quebec. It is also the where Marie Mancini came to after being spurned by Louis XIV in favour of a Spanish princess.The citadelle has been beautifully preserved with some wonderful buildings and ramparts and many events take place there throughout the season.
LA PALMYRE - many of our guests say that the zoo at La Palmyre is a must visit. Even if you are not normally a 'zoo person' it certainly is a great day out. Take a picnic there are plenty of shady spots inside the zoo. The La Palmyre area also has miles of beaches backed by acres of pine forests.
COGNAC - famous of course for the spirit bearing the towns name you can visit any of a number of the famous and less famous cognac houses. There is also a pleasant old town and of course the obligatory petit train (little train) for the tour of the town.
LE TRAIN DES MOUETTES (THE SEAGULL TRAIN) - a touristic steam train which was put back into service in 2004 by the General Council of the Charente-Maritime and it runs from Saujon (NE of Royan)  to La Tremblade, following the river Seudre.
EPARGNES - a village just a few miles from the house which hosts a 3 day festival each year to the Pineau des Charentes.
PORT MAUBERT - see estuary page
LE FA AT BARZAN - see estuary page
THE ESTUARY PARK - see estuary page
VITREZAY - see estuary page
GOLF - for golf enthusiasts there are courses at Royan, Pons & Cognac.
MARKETS - in addition to the ones already mentioned at Saintes and Royan there are regular markets at Cozes, Gemozac, Meschers, Saujon plus evening markets in season at St Georges de Didonne, Cozes and Meschers and then many smaller local ones scattered throughout the area.
THIS IS JUST A HINT OF WHAT IS AVAILABLE IN THE AREA, WE ARE SURE YOU WILL FIND YOUR STAY IN THIS LOVELY, SUNNY AREA TRULY MEMORABLE.
                                                                PLEASE VISIT THE ESTUARY PAGE