Local tourist attractions
The Charente-Maritime region, brimming with major tourist attractions, offers a whole range of sites to visit. Here are just a few ideas.
The Port of La Rochelle
Gateway to the Atlantic, the port and its two towers, standing firm in the offshore wind, is blessed with the strongest of nautical structures. The Old Port is the meeting place of the native Rochelais and town’s tourists.
The Francofolies of La Rochelle
The Francofolies Festival attracts more and more spectators each year as they discover francophone artists of all kinds. Created in 1985 by Jean-Louis Foulquier, this musical spectacular show takes place during the week of July 14, and lasts for 4 days.
The Aquarium of La Rochelle
The aquarium of La Rochelle displays more than 12000 marine animals. Its 65 basins recreate the environment of each of the presented species as faithfully as possible.
The Poitevin marshlands
The marsh, with its picturesque villages, is a haven of peace. The so-called Green Venice is best discovered in a traditional boat to savour the calm and typical atmosphere of the maze of waterways.
The Charentais archipelago
Four unique and delightful islands will offer you a mix of scenery to explore and experience: Île d’Oléron, the largest French island after Corsica, Île de Ré, ideal for bike riding, Île d’Aix, with its walled village and fortresses and Île Madame, the smallest and closest to nature.
Fort Boyard
This fort was built between 1801 and 1859 to protect the mouth of the river Charente and the harbour, the port and especially the large arsenal of Rochefort from the assaults of the English navy. It was transformed into a prison just a few years after its completion. The building is now essentially known for the televised game show of the same name shot on site since 1990.
The House of Pierre Loti – Rochefort-sur-Mer
The House of the novelist Pierre Loti is certainly the most exotic and the most original of the houses of the nineteenth century. An officer in the Navy as well as a writer, Loti brought from his many travels around the world objects, draperies and decorations, memories that have served to transform his birthplace.
The Corderie Royale – Rochefort-sur-Mer
The Royal rope-making factory, which was built under the supervision of the famous military engineer Vauban, is 374 m long. It is built on a bed of planks buried in the muddy ground. Since 1985, it has housed the International Centre of the Sea Museum.
Transporter Bridge – Rochefort-sur-Mer
In 1900, the engineer Arnodin completed the construction of this nacelle (or gondola) bridge, linking the two banks of the river Charente, a revolutionary work at the time; it was classified a historical monument in 1976. Today, tourists can cross it as they could during the “Belle Époque”.
Hermione shipyard – Rochefort-sur-Mer
In the double dry dock of the Rochefort arsenal and dockyard, an adventure is reborn. The reconstruction of the Hermione, the eighteenth-century frigate that shipped La Fayette to the United States.
Contact: Glen CARDING
+33 (0)5 46 66 39 63 – +33 (0)6 81 12 88 47
contact.leshotesduparadis@gmail.com
LES HÔTES DU PARADIS – 4 rue du Paradis 17290 FORGES
Guest house and self-catering gite in Charente-Maritime (17)