The Charente coast

The Charente Coast

The Gîte de la Gravee is practically equidistant between the Vendée coast and the Charente coast.

Therefore we invite you to continue your journey around the Aiguillon bay but this time we will take you along the Charente coast to Rochefort.

The Charente coast extends further to Royan, a seaside resort on the Gironde Estuary.

The Aiguillon Bay, Charente coast

From Saint Michel le Cloucq, we can take the road to Marans. Marans was built around the river Sèvre Niortaise, and is a river port and a sea port.

Stopping off at Charron, a small fishing village famous for its mussels which are farmed here.

We carry on to Esnandes. Still in the Aiguillon bay, Esnandes is a small ancient port situated on a cliff overlooking the bay and here you can learn how mussels are farmed in the maison de la mytiliculture.

You can also learn about plaice fishing.

The Charente Coast

Let’s cross La Rochelle in the direction of Châtelaillon-Plage, a seaside resort from the ‘Belle Epoque’, just a few kilometres south of La Rochelle. Its beach is over 3 km long.

Further south and we arrive at Fouras. It is situated on the peninsular of Rochefort and it’s from this seaside resort – one of the very first in France – that you can take a boat to the island of Aix and also to Fort Boyard.

Fort Boyard is opposite Fouras and although you cannot visit the island you can take a boat trip to see it.

A little further south is the Port des Barques – from where you can visit the Madame Island.

The Charente coast is well known for its oysters ‘Marennes-Oléron’. The Oléron island is a little further south not far from Royan. There you can see the many oyster beds.

Rochefort

Follow the mouth of the river Charente and you arrive at Rochefort, known for being the home of the l’Hermione Frigate. This replica of La Fayette’s frigate salutes the French heroes of the American War of Independence.

Louis IV chose Rochefort as the place to house his powerful arsenal on the Atlantic coast.

The Corderie Royale (Royal Ropewalk) is an interesting place to visit where you can see how marine ropes were made and walk the 374 metre long ropewalk.

Our recommendations for local specialities

As in Vendée the Charente Maritime is well known for its mussels. But did you know that it is also well known for its mussels from Marennes-Oléron?

Drinks-wise: you have certainly heard of Cognac and Pineau Charentais?