Charentes Maritme
The Charentes Martitime is situated on the west coast of France with a wonderful sunny climate, 460 miles of Atlantic coastline and many sandy beaches. It has an important historic and cultural heritage with splendid architecture, especially the beautiful Romanesque churches.
From your self catering holiday rental you can really relax in this lovely environment and have ample space to enjoy the peace and quiet as well as finding all the places of interest easily accessible.
Activities
Apart from the usual water sports available along the coast this region offers the opportunity to explore the inland forests, hiking, cycling, bird watching, fishing, canoeing and of course golf. There are many excellent golf courses in this area such as, The Pree Golf Club at La Rochelle, Marine Gaudin Golf Course near Royan and the Louis Rouyer Golf Course at Saintes. All these golf courses are set in delightful surroundings with views on to the coast and outstanding facilities.
Cuisine
This area always makes a memorable feast of fresh seafood, especially the renowned oyster being the king of cuisine in these parts. You will also find freshwater fish such as trout and pike. Prime meat and wild fowl, along with wonderful cheeses make up a variety of mouth watering dishes everywhere in this region. The wines from the Haut-Poitou, Deux-Sevres and Charente are an excellent accompaniment to the menus on offer.
Towns
La Rochelle is the capital of Charentes Maritime and is well known for its picturesque old port which was an inspiration to many artists. Take a stroll, from your holiday apartment, along the waterfront and on to the beautiful ancient alleyways of the old town and admire the old timber-fronted houses, the impressive buildings from the Renaissance period and maybe browse around the numerous excellent shops and smart boutiques. La Rochelle also has a wonderful aquarium which will delight adults and children alike.
Saintes has a Roman amphitheatre, remains of Roman Baths along with an interactive museum dedicated to the region’s pre-historic past. The fine art museum and the Gothic church of St - Pierre at Aulnay are worth a visit.
Royan is one of the largest seaside resorts of France with wonderful beaches and a lively night life. A visit to the Notre-Dame church is also worthwhile. For golf lovers, the excellent golf course of Maine Gaudin is nearby.
The islands of Oleron, Aix and Re provide many attractions with Vert Bois having the loveliest of beaches. Here you can also sample oysters or mussels that come from the shallow waters and oyster beds on Oleron. Re has a wonderful nature reserve with saltwater marshes where many species of rare birds can be found.
Cognac is a pretty town famous for its production of many quality brandies and where you can visit the famed cognac museum. The River Charente provides opportunities for boating enthusiasts and of course fishing.
For great value holiday accommodation in Charentes Maritime, search through the large selection of holiday rentals on Rent Property Direct and enjoy an unforgettable holiday in France.