| Beaches and the coast are an easy drive away from our Family Friendly gites in W France |
| Child friendly places to go Beaches Futuroscope La Palmyre zoo Aquarium Fort Boyard St Savinien Le Chateau des Enigmas Vallaies des Singes Paleosite Karting Swimming |
To visit the Ile de Ré requires you to
pay a toll over the bridge. This makes
it a much more peaceful and slightly
less touristy island to visit. It has a
wide variety of flora and fauna and
boasts more than one wildlife park.
The Phare Des Baleines is one of the
tallest lighthouses in France (55
meters) and has 250 steps to the top,
where you have a great view of the
mainland and the islands salt
marshes. The island's still produces
around 2,000 tons of salt every year.
The islands also boasts some fine
churches and well preserved
fortifications from the Middle Ages.
pay a toll over the bridge. This makes
it a much more peaceful and slightly
less touristy island to visit. It has a
wide variety of flora and fauna and
boasts more than one wildlife park.
The Phare Des Baleines is one of the
tallest lighthouses in France (55
meters) and has 250 steps to the top,
where you have a great view of the
mainland and the islands salt
marshes. The island's still produces
around 2,000 tons of salt every year.
The islands also boasts some fine
churches and well preserved
fortifications from the Middle Ages.
The coast and beaches are just an easy hours drive away (and please
note that this is a driving time within the speed limits !) There are
hundreds of miles of beaches all along the coast from La Rochelle
down to Royan. The region is the second most popular beach
holiday for the French after the south coast. Great weather and
amazing sandy beaches. There is something for everyone - bustling
beach resorts with restaurants, cafes, cycle hire, sunbed and parasol
hire or hidden gems with rock pools, cliffs and hardly any people
even in peak season ! Calm mainland waters with gentle beaches or
Atlantic beaches with big waves, it's all here and all within a
reasonable drive of our family friendly gites here in the Charente
Maritime region of western France.
note that this is a driving time within the speed limits !) There are
hundreds of miles of beaches all along the coast from La Rochelle
down to Royan. The region is the second most popular beach
holiday for the French after the south coast. Great weather and
amazing sandy beaches. There is something for everyone - bustling
beach resorts with restaurants, cafes, cycle hire, sunbed and parasol
hire or hidden gems with rock pools, cliffs and hardly any people
even in peak season ! Calm mainland waters with gentle beaches or
Atlantic beaches with big waves, it's all here and all within a
reasonable drive of our family friendly gites here in the Charente
Maritime region of western France.
The peninsula of Fouras, stretches from
Yves Bay to the Charente River. It is also
historically interesting and has long been a
heavily, fortified area. Originally the
fortifcations were needed to fight off the
Normans and then the British. Nowadays, the
only invaders are tourists. There is a great
view from the fort, along the coast to La
Rochelle and across to the islands. This area
also boasts four large beaches and lots of
woodland.
Yves Bay to the Charente River. It is also
historically interesting and has long been a
heavily, fortified area. Originally the
fortifcations were needed to fight off the
Normans and then the British. Nowadays, the
only invaders are tourists. There is a great
view from the fort, along the coast to La
Rochelle and across to the islands. This area
also boasts four large beaches and lots of
woodland.
The islands of Oleron and Re are also popular for their beaches. They take slightly longer to get to particularly in
summer as traffic over the bridge - particularly to Ile de Oleron, can be quite heavy. Top tip - go early !
summer as traffic over the bridge - particularly to Ile de Oleron, can be quite heavy. Top tip - go early !
Chatelaillon de la plage is another popular place for its beaches and probably one of the closest. In summer it has a fun fair atmosphere with lots of activities going on for the children.
Oleron is the largest of the islands. It has been inhabited since prehistoric times. The
Romans called the island "Ularius" which it is thought to of developed into Oléron. For a
time the island was under British rule, but it was returned to France in the 14th Century and
later became a Protestant stronghold. Like most of this part of the coast the island was
heavily fortified and the Château Fort is a lasting reminder of this time
Romans called the island "Ularius" which it is thought to of developed into Oléron. For a
time the island was under British rule, but it was returned to France in the 14th Century and
later became a Protestant stronghold. Like most of this part of the coast the island was
heavily fortified and the Château Fort is a lasting reminder of this time
Oleron is now linked to the mainland by a road bridge, so you can easily visit the island and enjoy the beaches, the fishing or the forest. There are numerous footpaths in the forest
where you can explore or a favourite with children - Le Petit Train Touristique Forestier which will take you along the dunes and the beaches and through the forest.
where you can explore or a favourite with children - Le Petit Train Touristique Forestier which will take you along the dunes and the beaches and through the forest.
Our favourite beach is just outside Meschers just south of Royan - door to door its one
hours drive. It's great, particularly at low tide when the rocks create fab rock pools full
of tiny fish, shrimp and crabs. Theres also a small headland which when you paddle
around you discover an amazing cave complete with blow hole - brilliant for keping the
children entertained.
hours drive. It's great, particularly at low tide when the rocks create fab rock pools full
of tiny fish, shrimp and crabs. Theres also a small headland which when you paddle
around you discover an amazing cave complete with blow hole - brilliant for keping the
children entertained.
| Contact Chris and Wendy Blakeman on oo 33 546330902 or email us at wendyblakeman@googlemail.com |
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La Rochelle has a nice beach - not huge but big
enough and when the tide goes out there are loads
of rock pools (right). Ideal if you arn't big beach
fans and an hour for the children will keep them
happy. tie it up with an aquarium visit, nice seafood
lunch and walk around this historic city.
enough and when the tide goes out there are loads
of rock pools (right). Ideal if you arn't big beach
fans and an hour for the children will keep them
happy. tie it up with an aquarium visit, nice seafood
lunch and walk around this historic city.