SAINTES
COGNAC
POITIERS
ANGOULEME
LA ROCHELLE
ROYAN
ROCHEFORT
COAST and BEACHES
CHATEAUX
BORDEAUX
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| Coast, Beaches, Chateaux and Bordeaux | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SIGHT SEEING AROUND OUR GITES SAINTES COGNAC POITIERS ANGOULEME LA ROCHELLE ROYAN ROCHEFORT COAST and BEACHES CHATEAUX BORDEAUX |
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| 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 beaches all along the coast from La Rochelle down to Royan. Chatelaillon de la plage is probably one of the closest. In summer it has a fun fair atmosphere with lots of activities going on for the children. 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. This area 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 ! Ol�ron is linked to the mainland by a road bridge, so you can easily visit the island and enjoy the beaches, the fishing or walks through the forest. There are numerous footpaths in the forest where you can explore. To visit the Ile de R� requires you to pay a toll over the bridge. This makes it a much more peaceful and 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. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Chateaux Roche Courbon is one of the many Chateaux and castles that are open to the public within easy travelling distance of our gites here in the Charente Maritime. Chateau Douhet was constructed around 1680. It is just a 20 min drive away on the way to Saintes. Chateau de Dampierre is in the process of being reconstructed after a terrible fire destroyed much of the roof, but is now re opened to the public | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bordeaux The world famous vineyards of Bordeaux start just an hours drive away and the city itself just 1.5hrs drive. Take a boat over from Royan to the Medoc penninsular and have a leisurely drive through villages such as Margaux and St Estephe. In fact virtually every village you drive through is known to the wine lover. Some of the more famous Bordeaux Chateaux are open to the public, others you must make an appointment with if you want to participate in a wine tasting. The city itself is well worth a visit too, great shopping and fantastic architecture and for a major city is easily accesible and easy to park in. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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