Discovering our beautiful region

Charente-Maritime is cradled along its coastline by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The department is defined by 463 km of coastline and embraced by an archipelago of islands that bring you the good life: the islands of Oléron, Ré, Aix and Madame.

Alongside La Rochelle and its old port, the royal rope factory of Rochefort and its arsenal from which the Hermione sets sail for America, Saintes and its arenas, the old fortifications of Vauban, several sites are listed as world heritage sites by UNESCO: The citadel of Saint Martin de Ré, the Basilica of Saint-Eutrope of Saintes, the Pilgrims' Hospital of Pons and the Church of Saint Pierre de la Tour d'Aulnay.

The Seudre estuary invites you to explore its salt marshes and oyster farms. Its hinterland abounds with architectural treasures and boasts vineyards: Cognac and Pineau are integral to the region. At the forefront of gastronomy, the area blends seafood and local produce.

To the west, its vast oyster-farming basin has made the department famous for its fine and special oysters from the claires, known worldwide and best enjoyed with Surgères butter. Other notable products include mussels raised on bouchots (mussel beds), its famous potato with a slightly briny taste, salt harvested from the salt marshes, and its specialty cheese, Jonche, made from cow's milk curd placed on a rush mat from the marshes. Samphire, a marsh plant, is used as a condiment, pickled or eaten raw.

Charente-Maritime is an ideal playground for sports and nature lovers. At sea, you can enjoy a variety of water sports: sailing, surfing, sea kayaking, and paddleboarding. The 50 km coastal path is perfect for hiking, as are the inland areas and forests. The Haute Saintonge region offers numerous horseback riding trails. The marshes provide a vast fishing ground, as do the rivers and coastal shores.