Villages · Charente-Maritime
1 La Flotte
A fishing community since Antiquity, the village developed in the eleventh century around the castle of the Mauléon family.
View full page →What to see in Charente-Maritime in 3 days
Charente-Maritime combines La Rochelle, the islands of Ré and Oléron, Rochefort, the salt marshes and the coastal forts. Maritime heritage is very rich here.
This itinerary spreads the best-rated sites in the catalogue over three days.
Our day-by-day itinerary
The map shows the numbered stops in visiting order, with one colour per day. The line follows the roads where available; otherwise it joins the stops as the crow flies. Distances and times are approximate (by car, without traffic).
Day 1 — La Flotte to La Rochelle
This day brings together 3 sites close to each other: villages, aquariums and towns and cities. It passes through La Rochelle. Allow half an hour to an hour and a half per site, plus travel time.
Aquariums · Charente-Maritime
2 Aquarium de la Rochelle
In the town centre, facing the Old Port, discover one of the largest private aquariums in Europe.
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Towns & cities · La Rochelle
3 La Rochelle
Prefecture of Charente-Maritime and a great historic Atlantic port, famous for its medieval towers guarding the entrance to the Old Port.
View full page →Day 2 — Ars-en-Ré to Dunes de l'Ile d'Oléron
This day brings together 3 sites close to each other: natural wonders and villages. Allow half an hour to an hour and a half per site, plus travel time.
Villages · Charente-Maritime
4 Ars-en-Ré
In the western part of the Île de Ré, just after the narrow isthmus sometimes submerged by the great equinox tides, Ars-en-Ré lies near the salt marshes of the Fier d'Ars.
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Natural wonders · Charente-Maritime
5 Dunes de l'Ile de Ré
The Île de Ré stretches for nearly 30 km. It is formed of a series of islets, now joined, the three main ones being Ré, Loix and Ars.
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Natural wonders · Charente-Maritime
6 Dunes de l'Ile d'Oléron
The Île d'Oléron is the largest of the French islands after Corsica. It is separated from the coast by the Pertuis d'Antioche and the Pertuis de Maumusson.
View full page →Day 3 — Foret de la Coubre to Château de Panloy
This day brings together 6 sites close to each other: villages, castles and natural wonders. Allow half an hour to an hour and a half per site, plus travel time.
Driving for the day: about 127.9 km, or 2 h 19 behind the wheel in total (excluding visits).
Natural wonders · Charente-Maritime
7 Foret de la Coubre
The Coubre forest extends over about thirty kilometres, from Saint-Palais-sur-Mer to Ronce-les-Bains, along the ocean.
View full page →↓ 25.0 km · about 28 min by car to the next stop
Villages · Charente-Maritime
8 Mornac-sur-Seudre
The Seudre is a small coastal river of 70 km whose estuary is part of the Marennes oyster basin.
View full page →↓ 22.5 km · about 28 min by car to the next stop
Caves · Charente-Maritime
9 Grottes du Régulus
Troglodyte dwellings among the most original in France, since they are dug into living cliffs.
View full page →↓ 6.6 km · about 10 min by car to the next stop
Villages · Charente-Maritime
10 Talmont-sur-Gironde
Built on a small rocky promontory jutting out over the north bank of the Gironde, the tiny village of Talmont gives off a refreshing impression of serenity with its narrow lanes flowered with hollyhocks and lined with pretty little white houses enhanced by shutters in pastel tints.
View full page →↓ 32.9 km · about 36 min by car to the next stop
Castles · Charente-Maritime
11 Château d'Usson
The Château d'Usson is original in its history and architecture. It stands today at Les Égreteaux, but only since the end of the nineteenth century!
View full page →↓ 40.8 km · about 37 min by car to the next stop
Castles · Charente-Maritime
12 Château de Panloy
Built on the banks of the Charente under Louis XV, this château has kept all its period furniture and many objects bearing witness to the lifestyle of old.
View full page →When to go
From May to September the weather is more favourable. Summer is very busy, especially on the islands. Spring and autumn are calmer.
Getting around
A car is practical, but a bike is ideal on the islands. La Rochelle is explored on foot. In summer, the bridges to the islands are very busy.
Our tips
- Start early to avoid traffic jams in summer.
- Rent a bike to explore the islands.
- Check tide times for coastal sites.
- Taste Marennes-Oléron oysters and pineau.
If you have more time
Museums · Charente-Maritime
Le Bunker de La Rochelle
An incredible 300 m² blockhouse in the middle of the town centre to discover the history of La Rochelle from 1939 to 8 May 1945, the date of its liberation!
Zoos & wildlife parks · Charente-Maritime
Zoo de La Palmyre
La Palmyre is a beachside zoo; polar bears, giraffes, monkeys or flamingos have taken up residence in the Charente-Maritime at La Palmyre zoo. A true Eden for these very special tenants.
Castles · Charente-Maritime
Château de la Roche-Courbon
Set on the banks of a watercourse, the Bruant, this site, wedged between two cliffs, was at all times chosen by man.
Lighthouses · Charente-Maritime
Phare de Chassiron
More than 150 years old, the Chassiron lighthouse is meant to assist sailors navigating the Pertuis d'Antioche, one of the most dangerous places in the Charente-Maritime.
Beaches · Charente-Maritime
Plage de la Conche des Baleines
A large wild beach at the western tip of the Île de Ré, at the foot of the Baleines lighthouse.
Lighthouses · Charente-Maritime
Phare des Baleines
The Baleines lighthouse is at the western tip of the Île de Ré (Charente-Maritime), in the commune of Saint-Clément-des-Baleines.
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