Off Rochefort, Oléron island is the biggest island off the French Atlantic coast. Benefiting from a mild climate perfect for mimosa flowering, Oléron island offers visitors attractive fine sand beaches and beautiful forests of maritime pines. Lovers of relaxation and walks will be delighted!

The Oléron island is also famous for its oyster breeding. The Oléron Oyster House situated in Saint-Trojan-les-Bains explains how oysters are cultivated and displays the associated instruments.

In Saint-Pierre-d'Oléron, the Oléron island museum is dedicated to popular arts and traditions.

Not to be missed, La Cotinière is a delightful picturesque and lively fishing port.

46 metres in height, the Chassiron lighthouse is open to visitors. There is a panoramic view from the top.

Numerous boat trips depart from the island, in particular to see the exterior of Fort Boyard, made famous by the TV show.

The oyster beds of Marennes-Oléron, including the mouth of the Seudre estuary, the East coast of Oléron island, and the coast situated north of Marennes, are recognised for the quality of their oysters. The oysters are bred in beds 5 km out at sea, then matured in shallow ponds called claires. These salt-water marshes and the very picturesque oyster ports are interesting places to visit. The Cayenne port in Marennes is very typical with its brightly-coloured oystermen's huts.

The Oyster City (Cité de l'Huître) at Marennes, along the Cayenne Canal, has a museum area devoted to oyster-farming, split up into five themed sheds, as well as an educational oyster farm, where a guided tour can help visitors learn more about the work of an oyster farmer. You can also explore, on foot or by bicycle, the Claires Path (Chemin des Claires). This interpretation trail, which has illustrated information boards at intervals along the way, will round your visit off pleasantly.

8,000 hectares in size, the Coubre forest, composed of holm oaks and maritime pines, offers a view of the coastal dunes of the Arvert peninsula. At the Coubre headland stands a two-colour lighthouse of 60 metres in height. From its top, a beautiful panoramic view of the Coubre forest and the wild coast (côte sauvage).

This 14-hectare zoo is situated in a wonderful environment around La Palmyre and brings together more than 1,600 animals coming from the five continents. Sea lion and parrot shows are among the attractions.

City of Art and History on the edge of the Charente river, Rochefort has preserved much evidence of its maritime past. Built by Colbert in the 17th century, the naval dockyard comprises the Royal Rope Factory (La Corderie Royale) and dry docks, one of which is where a replica of the 18th-century frigate Hermione is currently being built. La Corderie Royale, a building 374 metres in length, used to supply rope to the French Royal Navy. Today it houses the International Sea Centre.

The town of Rochefort is the birthplace of Pierre Loti. The house where he was born is now a museum exhibiting exotic objects and souvenirs of the famous French travel writer.

Located at the entrance to the Gironde estuary, the seaside resort of the Beauté coast became famous in the 19th century, when the fashion for sea bathing developed. Rebuilt after the bombardments of 1945, the town of Royan today offers many examples of modern architecture, including residential blocks and the Notre-Dame church. It is though still possible to admire charming villas of the Belle Époque period, especially in the prestigious district of Pontaillac. Beautiful fine sand beaches, among which the Grande Conche beach and the beautiful beach of Pontaillac, as well as the numerous activities on offer make Royan a renowned seaside resort.

On the "Treasures of Saintonge" circuit, in Saint-Porchaire, the magnificent castle of La Roche-Courbon built in the 15th century is open to the public (interior and formal gardens).

At the north end of Médoc, the Grave headland (Pointe du Grave), between the Gironde estuary and the Atlantic Ocean, offers extensive views of the mouth of Europe's biggest estuary, as well as Royan, a famous seaside resort on the Charente-Maritime coast. In the middle of the sea near the headland stands the famous Cordouan Lighthouse, the oldest working lighthouse in France, which can only be visited after crossing the sea by boat from Le Verdon-sur-Mer harbour…

For those who don't have great sea legs or would like to find out more about this historic monument, head to the Grave headland lighthouse, which as well as offering lovely views of the Gironde estuary, also has a museum about the history of the famous lighthouse in the sea and the operation of the lighthouses and beacons.

In the middle of the sea, at the mouth of the Gironde estuary, off the coast of Royan and the Grave headland, the famous Cordouan Lighthouse, built between 1584 and 1611, is the oldest working lighthouse in France. Known as the Versailles of the sea, this imposing sentinel of white Saintonge stone, a listed Historic Monument, stands 67.5 metres tall and has six storeys in the Renaissance style.

Only accessible after a boat ride of about 45 minutes - be prepared to wade through the sea upon landing! - Cordouan Lighthouse can be visited from April to November, departing from Royan or Le Verdon-sur-Mer. Note that visiting hours may change daily depending on the tides and weather conditions... A climb of this must-see landmark's 301 steps will lead you up to the lantern balcony, from which you can enjoy an exceptional view of the ocean, coastline and the largest estuary in Europe! When visiting this prestigious lighthouse with its unique architecture, you will have the opportunity to admire the King's apartment adorned with pilasters on the first floor, the majestic chapel with stained glass windows on the second floor, and the Girondins room paved with grey and black marble on the third floor.

Still inhabited by guards, the Cordouan Lighthouse has fully automated since 2006, and continues to protect and guide sailors, night after night...

If you have not been able to go to the king of lighthouses or if you simply want to learn more, take a trip to the Museum of the Cordouan Lighthouse and the Lighthouses and Beacons, located at the foot of the Grave headland, which has a collection of plans, models and documents telling the story of the famous monument in the sea, and describing the operation of the lighthouses and beacons.

This unspoiled island, lined with sandy beaches and creeks, is the realm of walkers and cyclists. The 7-km long Douaniers footpath (custom officers' footpath) is the ideal route to take around Aix island's coastline.

The Napoléon museum, situated in the house where Napoleon stayed from 12 to 15 July 1815 just before he was sent into exile, has a collection dedicated to the memory of the French Emperor.

The charming seaside resort of Châtelaillon-Plage offers a pleasant mix, with its beautiful seafront, its three kilometres of sandy beaches, its Belle Époque villas, its Casino, its thalassotherapy centre and its pleasant walk alongside the beach.

The international kite festival taking place during the Easter weekend offers wonderful kite displays.

Opposite the Old Harbour in La Rochelle, Charente-Maritime, one of the largest private aquariums in Europe invites lovers of the undersea world to get to know its 12,000 residents, who live in some 3 million litres of sea water in an area covering 8,000 m².

Audioguide in hand, for two hours you will experience a real journey under the sea, discovering the diversity of the world's oceans. You can admire many fascinating species, from clownfish to sharks, not forgetting turtles, the star attraction. You will be fascinated by the fabulous defensive powers of all this mysterious wildlife, such as camouflage, armour or poison. You can admire the wonderful ballet of the jellyfish, and wander in the exotic tropical forest where piranhas and carnivorous plants thrive.

La Rochelle Aquarium's mission is to help people discover and understand the undersea environment, but it is also a place of scientific research with its own sea turtle observation and care programme. It is committed to training and raising public awareness for the protection of the ocean environment.

Monday: 10:00 AM – 08:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 08:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 08:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 08:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 08:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 08:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 08:00 PM

Capital of the Charente-Maritime, La Rochelle is well known for its postcard-pretty Old Port picture. Protected by the Chaîne tower and the Saint-Nicolas tower, the old port has inspired numerous artists. After a walk on the quays, the visitor is invited to go along the beautiful narrow streets of the old town. It is packed with interesting mansions, Renaissance residences, and old timber-framed houses. The numerous shops lining the pedestrian streets and under the arcades will delight shopping fans.

The main Renaissance building of the town hall dates from the 15th and the 16th centuries, and boasts a surrounding wall of Flamboyant Gothic style. A building not to be missed! The visit of the city continues with the Fine art museum, the New World museum dedicated to the history of the relations between La Rochelle and the Americas, the natural history museum and the Orbigny-Bernon museum exhibiting earthenware collections, carvings and paintings.

The vast Minimes port is entirely devoted to sailing and attracts sailors from all over the world. Not far from the old port, the aquarium of La Rochelle allows those who love the marine world to discover fauna and flora of the seas and oceans of the globe.

To relax on after visiting the fortified town, there's nothing like a break on the beaches of La Rochelle.

Numerous events liven up the city: the International Sail Weeks in May and June; the International Film festival of La Rochelle, the famous Francofolies music festival in July, Grand Pavois, an international boat show on water in September, and the Jazz music festival between the two towers in October.

Situated between the Breton strait and the Antioche strait, Ré island alternates between between salt marshes, pine forests, vineyards, beachgrass-covered dunes, fine sand beaches, and white-washed villages. 8,532 hectares in size, Ré island is crossed by numerous cycle paths. Pure joy for cycling fans!

The main town, Saint-Martin-de-Ré is an essential place to visit, with its 17th-century fortifications and its charming port great for wandering around. Situated in the Clerjotte mansion, the Ernest-Cognacq museum looks back at the history of the island.

La Flotte, Ars-en-Ré, La Couarde-sur-Mer, Rivedoux-Plage, and Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré are charming villages edged with beautiful beaches great for swimming.