| Beaches and the coast are an easy drive away from our Family Friendly gites |
| 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.
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 is just an easy hours drive away (and please note that this is a driving time
within the speed limits !) There are beaches all along the coast from La Rochelle down to
Royan
within the speed limits !) There are beaches all along the coast from La Rochelle down to
Royan
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.
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 !
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 !
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.
has a fun fair atmosphere with lots of activities going on for the children.
Oléron 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
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
Oléron 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.
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.
Our favourite beach is just outside Meschers just south of Royan - door to door its one hours drive. Even less
when the new road is finished. Its 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.
when the new road is finished. Its 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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