Camping in Charente-Maritime

Why we love holidays in the Charente-Maritime

Where the Atlantic meets western France, Charente-Maritime offers a delightful coastal playground of golden beaches, historic port towns, and sun-drenched islands. With its mild microclimate, this region enjoys around the same sunshine hours as the Mediterranean, but with a cooling onshore breeze, making it perfect for family holidays if you’re seeking a seaside holiday without the sizzle.

From the elegant streets of La Rochelle with its ancient harbour towers to the famous islands of Île de Ré and Île de Oléron, Charente-Maritime delivers the authentic essence of Atlantic France at a gentler pace than its busier southern neighbours. Take a deeper dive below, and see whether this captivating corner of France could be your family’s new favourite, like it is ours!

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The essence of Charente-Maritime

Island escapes

The islands of Île de Ré and Île d'Oléron (both easily reachable from the mainland via bridges), and Île d'Aix (via a 20 minute passenger ferry) offer beach-fringed seaside havens, each with its own character and with charm to spare. Discover whitewashed villages, sandy beaches, salt pans, and a network of cycle paths.

Maritime heritage

From La Rochelle's iconic harbour towers to Fort Boyard rising dramatically from the sea, Charente-Maritime's coastline tells stories of naval battles, trade, and maritime adventure that have shaped this region.

Natural bounty

The region's unique meeting of ocean, estuary, and marshland creates perfect conditions for oyster farming, salt production, and cognac vineyards, resulting in a gastronomic treasure trove you’ll love tucking into!

Our favourite beaches

Charente-Maritime is not short of wonderful coastline. It’s home to some of France's finest beaches, catering to every preference from family-friendly bays to wild surfing spots. The sheltered southern beaches of Île de Ré, like La Conche des Baleines, offer safe swimming in crystal-clear waters, while the endless golden sands of Grande Plage at Saint-Georges-d'Oléron provide space for everyone even in peak season.

The elegant resort town of Châtelaillon-Plage combines a magnificent sandy beach with a charming promenade and Belle Époque villas, creating a mesmerising French seaside experience just south of La Rochelle. But if you’re seeking more seclusion, the beaches of Île d'Aix remain blissfully uncrowded even in summer, accessible only by boat and free from cars, creating a peaceful haven where pine forests meet golden sands. Younger families particularly love the gently shelving beaches around Royan, where warm shallow waters and excellent facilities make for perfect days beside the sea.

Our favourite things to do in Charente-Maritime

Fun days out

There are so many great things to do in Charente-Maritime. Let’s start our journey at the fun port of La Rochelle. Its magnificent Aquarium ranks among Europe's finest, housing over 12,000 marine animals in 70 huge display tanks that take you on a journey through the world's oceans and their diverse (yet fragile) ecosystems. The Palmyre Zoo near Royan is one of France's most popular zoological parks, where you can observe more than 1,600 animals from 115 different species in spacious, natural settings.

For an educational adventure, Rochefort's Hermione shipyard showcases the impressive reconstruction of Lafayette's 18th-century frigate. On Île de Ré, children will delight in exploring the lighthouses, particularly the Phare des Baleines (Lighthouse of the Whales), where climbing the 257 steps is worth it for the view.

A couple cycling along a cycle path in Charente-Maritime

Getting active

Cycling reigns supreme in Charente-Maritime, especially on the islands where extensive networks of flat, dedicated cycle paths connect villages, beaches, and attractions—Île de Ré alone somehow manages to squeeze in over 100kms of trails perfect for riders of all ages and abilities.

If your family are water sports enthusiasts you have to head to the region's coastline, with sailing schools in La Rochelle and La Tremblade offering courses for beginners, while windsurfing, kitesurfing, and paddleboarding opportunities abound on beaches like Châtelaillon-Plage. The sheltered waters of the Gironde Estuary and the Marais Poitevin (often called France's Green Venice) provide ideal conditions for gentle kayaking expeditions suitable for families, allowing close encounters with the region's rich birdlife.

Cultural hotspots

La Rochelle's Old Port area has a tangible historic maritime atmosphere, framed by three iconic medieval towers that once guarded the harbour. You can climb these towers for magnificent views before exploring the old town's arcaded streets and excellent museums. The elegant spa town of Royan showcases remarkable post-war architecture, including the distinctive modernist Notre-Dame Church (one of our favourites), constructed after the WWII bombing.

On Île de Ré, the UNESCO-listed star-shaped fortifications of Saint-Martin-de-Ré tell the story of the island's strategic military importance, you’re able to walk the ramparts for spectacular views across the harbour. The Corderie Royale in Rochefort, once the longest industrial building in Europe, offers fascinating insights into the manufacture of ropes. No, really, it is fascinating!

Our favourite things to see in Charente-Maritime

Historic sites

Fort Boyard, the oval-shaped fortress rising dramatically from the sea between the islands of Aix and Oléron, has transformed from a military structure to a famous television game show location; while not open to visitors, boat trips offer close-up views of this remarkable construction.

The impressive Citadel of Château d'Oléron stands as a testament to it's strategic importance, with its massive stone walls and bastions offering panoramic views across the oyster parks and surrounding waters. In Saintes, the remarkable Gallo-Roman amphitheatre and Arch of Germanicus provide glimpses into the region's ancient past as an important Roman settlement. The formidable ramparts of Brouage, once an important 17th century salt trading port but now stranded inland due to silting.

Cities and towns worth seeing

La Rochelle combines historic sites with contemporary vibrancy, its old harbour framed by medieval towers and arcaded streets housing excellent seafood restaurants, while its modern marina hosts international sailing events. Saint-Martin-de-Ré is one of our favourite French coastal towns, with its picturesque harbour lined with cafés and ice cream shops, its UNESCO-listed fortifications, and whitewashed houses, you’ll love it too.

Rochefort, planned as a 17th-century ‘new town’ to serve the French Navy, maintains its elegant grid pattern of streets and impressive naval buildings, including the remarkable Corderie Royale rope-making factory. The stylish resort town of Royan offers magnificent beaches alongside interesting modernist architecture, built after WWII bombardment.

Natural wonders

We definitely recommend a visit to the Marais Poitevin. Not for nothing is this magical place often called Green Venice, with its testing maze of canals and waterways winding through silent marshlands and meadows, best explored by traditional flat-bottomed boats poled by local guides who reveal the secrets of this unique ecosystem.

The Côte Sauvage (Wild Coast) on the western side of Île d'Oléron is all dramatic Atlantic scenery and windswept beaches. Its pine forests, and impressive dunes create a protected natural environment perfect for shady hikes. Birdwatchers flock (excuse the pun!) to the Moëze-Oléron Nature Reserve, a crucial stopping point on migration routes where thousands of wading birds, waterfowl, and raptors can be observed.