Saintes
  A beautiful historic Roman town, with wonderful architecture, narrow streets with interesting shops and street cafes. It still has traces of its Gallo-Roman past such as the Roman Amphitheatre. The river runs through the town and there are some lovely parks, bars and cafés along the river. You can take boat trips down the lovely Charente River.
 
       
The Charente River, Saintes
       

Cognac

A beautiful town with parks and markets. There are three famous distilleries, Remy Martin, Hennessey and Martell. Here you can take a free-guided tour, taste the delicious Cognac and buy at a discounted price from the on-site shop. The town of Cognac is pedestrianised. There is good shopping, bars, cafés and restaurants.

St Jean d’Angely

This has an excellent water park, with 5 swimming pools, water slides etc. There is also canoeing, kayaking, pedaloes and fishing. Lovely old buildings and cobbled streets, lots of quaint shops, bars, cafés and restaurants. There is a market every Wednesday and Saturday morning.

     

La Rochelle
Ancient walled port town with arcaded streets. Two towers overlook the old port. There is also a beach and an excellent Aquarium. This is the place for seafood, masses of restaurants line the harbour. A great place to have a meal and people watch. Street buskers will entertain you. The natural history museum is recommended. La Rochelle is a great place for boutique style shops. If you are there in July don’t miss the international music festival.

 

Ile d’Aix

No cars on this island. You can hire bikes or just walk around this peaceful, beautiful place. There are plenty of little coves and beaches, and nice restaurants.

Ile d’Oleron

Accessed by a 2-mile long viaduct. A lovely day out, drive around the island and discover the pretty towns. Some truly beautiful beaches backed by forests.

Ile de Ré

Miles of sandy beaches and small coves, good swimming and nice cycling. Where the French celebs go for their holidays.

Rochefort

Good shopping and a nice town square where you can sip a drink or two! Good wildlife in the surrounding marshes.
     

Royan
  One of the largest seaside resorts of France, it is modern and very clean. You can hire sailing boats at the Marina and take a trip around the bay. Good boutiques. Nearby Saint-Georges-de-Didonne has excellent beaches with sand dunes and pine trees - this is especially nice for picnics.    
       

La Palmyre

La Palmyre has the award-winning zoo – and nearby are excellent beaches and restaurants. It’s possible to get a day ticket for the zoo and pop out for lunch and a walk on the beach before going back to see more of the animals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
La Petite Romade
17460 Varzay, FranceTel: 0033 5 46 95 88 06 email: peter_hounsham@hotmail.com