| Get ready to discover a dazzling corner of France that lies between Bordeaux to the south and the Loire Valley to the north. With sandy beaches, a choice of three Siblu campsites and summery weather to rival the Med, the region has all of the ingredients to make the perfect family holiday. Charente Maritime’s gentle microclimate combines perfectly with a stunning coastline. This makes it the ideal spot for sandcastle-builders, water-sport enthusiasts and sun-worshippers, whichever Siblu camping option you choose! |
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In striking distance of our three holiday parks in Charente-Maritime – Les Charmettes, Bonne Anse Plage and La Pignade – Royan’s town beach, La Grande Conche, has superb family facilities and lifeguards in high season. Nearby, there are smaller sandy coves to visit. And further afield more adventurous beach-goers can experience the pounding waves and fragrant forest delights of La Côte Sauvage (surfboards recommended!). |
Why choose Charente Maritime?
Great weather
Its microclimate means it benefits from mild weather and low rainfall
Beaches
Enjoy water sports and relaxing on Atlantic Coast beaches
Islands and ports
Visit historic La Rochelle or the stunning Île de Ré
Embrace the outdoors
Explore the region by bike or on foot
Where to find them: Siblu Holiday Parks in France
Charente-Maritime- Exploring the Coast
Best beaches
You're certainly spoiled for choice when it comes to big, sandy beaches on this amazing stretch of the west coast of France.
Families love to head to the resort of La Palmyre with its sheltered beaches and coves, where little ones can swim safely in the calm bay. Further around the coast, the Côte Sauvage is the surfers’ spot where you can work up an appetite catching the crashing waves. A stroll along St Palais is perfect in the evening sun for a relaxing meal overlooking the sea, rocks and ‘King of Lights’ (the Lighthouse of Cordouan). One of the most beautiful seaside beaches can be found at Les Sables d'Olonne, which offers beautiful views of blue green waters, fine white sand, fragranced with salty sea air and grilled seafood. At dusk, sit on the beach and take in the breathtaking night sky.
Families love to head to the resort of La Palmyre with its sheltered beaches and coves, where little ones can swim safely in the calm bay. Further around the coast, the Côte Sauvage is the surfers’ spot where you can work up an appetite catching the crashing waves. A stroll along St Palais is perfect in the evening sun for a relaxing meal overlooking the sea, rocks and ‘King of Lights’ (the Lighthouse of Cordouan). One of the most beautiful seaside beaches can be found at Les Sables d'Olonne, which offers beautiful views of blue green waters, fine white sand, fragranced with salty sea air and grilled seafood. At dusk, sit on the beach and take in the breathtaking night sky.
Island Hopping
A three-kilometre bridge connects the city of La Rochelle to the chic Île de Ré, where the whole family can cycle up an appetite before visiting one of its fine restaurants. Or challenge everybody, old and young, to a surfing contest on the Ile d’Oléron, before exploring its ruined windmills and sand dunes. Then jump on a boat to get a closer look at the nearby 19th-century fortification Fort Boyard. The island of Yeu is an active fishing port, and is brimming with kilometres of diverse landscapes: dunes, coniferous woods, wild rocky coastlines, marshes, fields and picturesque houses with colourful shutters. Discover the lighthouses, beacons, harbours, and tiny streets of Port Joinville, and hear the legends and stories of the harbour at the old pot fishing village of Le Meule.
Lighthouses
The Cordouan Lighthouse is known as the King of Lighthouses, and remains a fantastic sight for visitors as one of the oldest French lighthouses in use, and one of the only lighthouses with a live-in keeper. What sets this lighthouse apart from the others is its Notre Dame de Cordouan chapel and the fact that it is set in the middle of the sea 4 miles/6km away from the coast. The Chassiron Lighthouse is perched on top of a rocky cliff on the west coast of the Ile d’Oléron, and is remarkable in that it has a light that can be seen 32 miles/50 km away! It also boasts award-winning sculpted gardens too. You can also explore the Phare des Baleines, called the 'Lighthouse of the Whales', because many whales used to get washed ashore here. It is considered to be one of the tallest lighthouses in France, and if you make it to the top of the 257 steps you'll be rewarded with stunning views over the Ile de Ré, Ile d’Oléron and the ocean!
Charente-Maritime- Towns & History
La Rochelle
The capital of Charente-Maritime, La Rochelle, is world-famous - and with good reason. As the protestant stronghold in catholic France during the fifteen hundreds, it is brimming over with historical facts and treasures waiting to be discovered. It was even a base for the Knights Templar! There’s lots on offer for little ones (and not so little ones), including one of the largest aquariums in France, the maritime museum, and the world war two bunker. Go and explore the old port and town where you’ll find many wonderful restaurants, markets and shops, offering all sorts local delicacies. And don’t forget to visit one of the three medieval towers guarding the entrance to the harbour, whose walls (marked with graffiti from prisoners from throughout the years) have borne witness to the town's fascinating history.
Saintes
Saintes is steeped in history from Roman times, and a trip to the amphitheatre will transport you and your family back to the days of togas and gladiator fights. This ancient town is dotted with ancient roman remains and classical facades, which makes it a charming and interesting location for a day trip. The amphitheatre dates back to around the 1st century and is almost as big as the Colosseum in Rome, and you can also view the grand arches of Germanicus and the Abbaye aux Dames... It’s also a fantastic place to taste the regional delicacies, with lots of cognac and pineau tasting opportunities in many of the local chateaux. You can also enjoy a cruise down the river Charente, or stroll along its banks and watch the world go by.
Château de la Gataudière
Situated 1.5km away from the sea, this magnificent castle combines history and adventure playground and has something for every member of the family. The castle sits in the middle of around 50 hectares of land and when you step inside you can admire the grand stone staircase and the jaw-dropping French regency decoration complete with colourful furnishings and gilt mirrors. Outside, kids can zip around on the zip lines, cross wobbly walkways in the trees, jump on quad bikes or get messy playing paintball.
Cognac
If you're after a day out to keep the parents happy then this will work a treat. The town gives its name to one of the world’s most well-known types of brandy. Spend the day exploring the town’s medieval district ‘Vieux Cognac’, and take in the unusual architecture and narrow cobbled streets. Make sure you fit in a visit to one of the Cognac making houses and sample the iconic brand. The Martell house keeps its visitors well-occupied, with sound and light shows as well as taste testings.
Charente-Maritime- Culture & Attractions
Luna Park & Youpiland
This funfair offers tons of thrills and excitement for children and big kids alike, just 1.5km away from Bonne Anse. Dare to bear the drop tower, get carried away on the carousels or defy gravity on the pendulum rides. For those unable to stomach all that, why not admire the fireworks, play games at the stalls or get in to win prizes for the tombola. An evening sure to entertain everyone. Or visit Youpiland, it's a children’s wonderland of fun, as it’s almost packed with inflatable castles, slides, ball pools, small trains, swings, inflatable climbing walls! While the children play, adults can relax and have a refreshing drink, ice cream or sweets on the terrace. Everything’s equipped here for the family, with a picnic and baby area.
Futuroscope
Why not break your journey on the way to the park or when heading back home by stopping off at Futuroscope, one of France’s largest and most popular theme parks? One day here and you’ll start finding the present old fashioned – you can go on an adventure to the animated world in one of the many Imax cinemas, have a drink on top of the world in the Aerobar, or even go dancing with giant robots! The light and water show in the evening is sure to amaze the whole family, and you can even stay the night in one of the futuristic hotels.
La Palmyre Zoo
Don’t miss the fantastic zoo at La Palmyre with its 1,600 furry, feathered and scaly creatures. It’s a great day out for all the family and your kids will be enchanted by the animals - the elephants and giraffes in particular! The zoo runs breeding programmes for endangered species but something makes us suspect that your children are going to be more interested in the parrot and sea-lion shows, the baby monkeys and zebras, and the extrovert meercats who love to play up to an audience.
Royan & Violon sur le Sable Concert
The seaside town of Royan is the capital of the Côte de Beauté (Beautiful Coast) region around the vast Gironde Estuary. As well as its bustling marina and fishing port, Royan is the setting for the Violon sur le Sable classical music festival, held each year in late July when the beach becomes a free open-air concert hall. Visitors can enjoy a picnic as well as the wonderful music, and in the evening there are firework displays.
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PLANE The nearest airport to our Charente-Maritime parks is La Rochelle- Île de Ré airport. Ryanair runs direct flights from Dublin to La Rochelle during the summer season. FERRY Many of our holidaymakers opt for the ease of bringing their own cars to Charente Maritime by getting the ferry from Ireland. Cherbourg and Roscoff ferry ports easily accessible from Ireland thanks to crossings with Irish Ferries (from Dublin), Brittany Ferries (from Cork and Rosslare) and Stena Line (from Rosslare). Irish Ferries Irish Ferries have a number of crossings throughout the summer, running every other day of the week Route: Dublin-Cherbourg Stena Line Stena Line run crossings 3 times a week Route: Rosslare-Cherbourg Brittany Ferries Our partnership with Brittany ferries gives you a 5% discount on your ferry crossing! Routes: Rosslare-Roscoff Departs: Monday evenings. Returns: Tuesday evenings Cork-Roscoff Departures: Saturday nights *Make sure to check the ferry providers' websites for the most up-to-date information about crossings |
Distances/driving time from La Rochelle airport
La Pignade
77km/ 1hr 2 mins drive
Les Charmettes
87 km/ 1 hr 10 mins drive
Bonne Anse Plage
92 km/ 1hr 16 mins drive
Distances/driving time from Roscoff ferry port
La Pignade
517km/ 5 hrs 45 mins drive
Les Charmettes
533 km/ 5 hrs 55 mins drive
Bonne Anse Plage
532 km/ 5 hrs 55 mins drive
Distances/driving time from Cherbourg ferry port
La Pignade
547 km/ 5 hrs 50 mins drive
Les Charmettes
558 km/ 6 hrs drive
Bonne Anse Plage
563 km/ 6 hrs 5 mins drive