Sightseeing
Saintes
Abbaye aux Dames
Angoulême
Angoulême Cathedral
Planet Exotica
5 Av. des Fleurs de la PaixThis coastal city is rightfully one of France’s favourite summer destinations, with a glorious old harbour defended by the Tour de la Chaîne and Tour Saint-Nicolas.
Idle over a long, leisurely meal at a quayside restaurant and wander the city’s historic arcaded streets.
Family attractions here are all about the ocean, so you can find out about the history of French seafaring at the Maritime Museum or see the huge aquarium, with tanks totalling three million litres.
For beach-time cross the bridge Île de Ré, which has a host shallow golden beaches, as well as a UNESCO-listed port, Saint-Martin, fortified by Vauban in the 17th-century
514 Einheimische empfehlen
La Rochelle
This coastal city is rightfully one of France’s favourite summer destinations, with a glorious old harbour defended by the Tour de la Chaîne and Tour Saint-Nicolas.
Idle over a long, leisurely meal at a quayside restaurant and wander the city’s historic arcaded streets.
Family attractions here are all about the ocean, so you can find out about the history of French seafaring at the Maritime Museum or see the huge aquarium, with tanks totalling three million litres.
For beach-time cross the bridge Île de Ré, which has a host shallow golden beaches, as well as a UNESCO-listed port, Saint-Martin, fortified by Vauban in the 17th-century
Down from La Rochelle the coastline, with its sweeping ocean beaches, is known as the Côte de Beauté and has enough opportunities for tourism to appeal to all kinds of tourism.
For heritage there’s Rochefort , near the mouth of the Charente River and chosen by Louis XIV has his royal dockyard.
The Corderie Royal (Rope Factory), and a reproduction of the 18th-century French frigate Hermione are vivid reminders of this historic role.
The Île-d’Aix is a delight too, and completely carless.
Catch the ferry out and then see the island from the comfort of a horse-drawn carriage.
81 Einheimische empfehlen
Île-d'Aix
Down from La Rochelle the coastline, with its sweeping ocean beaches, is known as the Côte de Beauté and has enough opportunities for tourism to appeal to all kinds of tourism.
For heritage there’s Rochefort , near the mouth of the Charente River and chosen by Louis XIV has his royal dockyard.
The Corderie Royal (Rope Factory), and a reproduction of the 18th-century French frigate Hermione are vivid reminders of this historic role.
The Île-d’Aix is a delight too, and completely carless.
Catch the ferry out and then see the island from the comfort of a horse-drawn carriage.
The pedestrianised centre of this historic city is heart-achingly beautiful, with so many churches and palaces that it can be hard to know where to look! One of the more modest looking, the Baptistère Saint-Jean, is claimed to be the oldest Christian building in all of France, and perhaps even Western Europe.
It dates to the 4th century and has awesome frescoes from the 1100s.
You can’t leave without seeing the cathedral either, which was built under the orders of Eleanor of Aquitaine and King Henry II, with 13th-century wooden choir stalls that might also be the oldest in France.
In the evening, you also have to stop by the Church of Notre Dame, when the gothic friezes on the facade are illuminated in a multicoloured display.
188 Einheimische empfehlen
Poitiers
The pedestrianised centre of this historic city is heart-achingly beautiful, with so many churches and palaces that it can be hard to know where to look! One of the more modest looking, the Baptistère Saint-Jean, is claimed to be the oldest Christian building in all of France, and perhaps even Western Europe.
It dates to the 4th century and has awesome frescoes from the 1100s.
You can’t leave without seeing the cathedral either, which was built under the orders of Eleanor of Aquitaine and King Henry II, with 13th-century wooden choir stalls that might also be the oldest in France.
In the evening, you also have to stop by the Church of Notre Dame, when the gothic friezes on the facade are illuminated in a multicoloured display.
One way this zoo will differ from most you’ll have visited is that it offers visitors the chance to feed many of the animals: You can hand out straw to the elephants and popcorn to the giraffes, which is a photo opportunity that you won’t find in many other places!
The zoo was opened in the 60s, which means some of the enclosures can be on the small side, but it also ensures that you’ have no trouble spotting all the animals, which include giant tortoises, rhinos, lemurs and orangutans.
It also has a stellar record for conservation, recording up to 300 births a year.
401 Einheimische empfehlen
Zoo von La Palmyre
6 Avenue de RoyanOne way this zoo will differ from most you’ll have visited is that it offers visitors the chance to feed many of the animals: You can hand out straw to the elephants and popcorn to the giraffes, which is a photo opportunity that you won’t find in many other places!
The zoo was opened in the 60s, which means some of the enclosures can be on the small side, but it also ensures that you’ have no trouble spotting all the animals, which include giant tortoises, rhinos, lemurs and orangutans.
It also has a stellar record for conservation, recording up to 300 births a year.
Abbaye de Fontdouce
Historic Landmark
Educational museum & history center located at a large unearthed Neanderthal habitation site.
18 Einheimische empfehlen
Paläosite
Educational museum & history center located at a large unearthed Neanderthal habitation site.
Saint-Jean-d'Angély
Food & Drink
Cognac
Discover the Old City of Cognac
Take a tour in a Cognac distillery
Been here twice and was not disappointed. The Sommeillier Olivier helps select the perfect wine for the perfect occasion. Trendy wine bar. Fabulous selection of wines. Enjoy freshly prepared charcuterie and fromage
Le verre à pied
28 Place BayardBeen here twice and was not disappointed. The Sommeillier Olivier helps select the perfect wine for the perfect occasion. Trendy wine bar. Fabulous selection of wines. Enjoy freshly prepared charcuterie and fromage
We have dined here twice and the food is exceptional. Dine inside or in the courtyard, this is a fabulous place to enjoy specially prepared food. Excellent.
Restaurant La Belle Epoque
25 Rue d'AngoulêmeWe have dined here twice and the food is exceptional. Dine inside or in the courtyard, this is a fabulous place to enjoy specially prepared food. Excellent.
Took the family here in October for my wife's birthday. Good food, great prices. perfect location. Friendly and helpful staff made for a great memorable experience.
9 Einheimische empfehlen
Restaurant L'Atelier des Quais
1 Av. de Lattre de TassignyTook the family here in October for my wife's birthday. Good food, great prices. perfect location. Friendly and helpful staff made for a great memorable experience.
Catch a fresh Trout and have the chef cook it to your liking on a wood BBQ, enjoy with side dishes and wine. Great day out
Catch a Trout
11 Moulin de la VergneCatch a fresh Trout and have the chef cook it to your liking on a wood BBQ, enjoy with side dishes and wine. Great day out
Whether dining in or out, this is a great Italian restaurant. We came here in July and ate alfresco. Great location on the banks of the Charente
9 Einheimische empfehlen
La Scala Cognac
7 Rpe du ChâteauWhether dining in or out, this is a great Italian restaurant. We came here in July and ate alfresco. Great location on the banks of the Charente
A traditional Bistro founded in 1908. Beautiful decor. Great menu
12 Einheimische empfehlen
Le Coq d'Or
33 Pl. François 1erA traditional Bistro founded in 1908. Beautiful decor. Great menu
Nice place to take an early coffee and watch the world go round. Best coffee in town. Enjoy a pastry too, from the boulangerie next door.
Brasserie l'Express
17 Pl. François 1erNice place to take an early coffee and watch the world go round. Best coffee in town. Enjoy a pastry too, from the boulangerie next door.
Auberge de la fontaine
87 Route de Clermont-FerrandBeautiful local restaurant, fantastic food
Cognac Tasting / Tours
We took are family here in October for the Cognac Tour. It was fantastic and a must do when visiting Le Charente. Tours in both French and English. Reservations required.
35 Einheimische empfehlen
Hennessy
Quai Richard HennessyWe took are family here in October for the Cognac Tour. It was fantastic and a must do when visiting Le Charente. Tours in both French and English. Reservations required.
Remy Martin Cognac
20 Rue de la Société VinicoleWith many Cognac tours on offer the choice is endless.
Check out the rooftop cocktail bar. 360 views of Cognac and the surrounding area
6 Einheimische empfehlen
Martell Cognac's Visitors Center
16 Av. Paul Firino MartellCheck out the rooftop cocktail bar. 360 views of Cognac and the surrounding area
Just 25 minutes walk from Les Quatre Filles, this is a must see. The proprietor Daniel, gave our party a very warm welcome and we were not disappointed, it was extremely informative and a great introduction to the art of Cognac production. Highly recommended, a little gem of a place.
Puits Faucon SCEA
8 Rte de Chez GaillardJust 25 minutes walk from Les Quatre Filles, this is a must see. The proprietor Daniel, gave our party a very warm welcome and we were not disappointed, it was extremely informative and a great introduction to the art of Cognac production. Highly recommended, a little gem of a place.
Odd places to see
Try this quirky bar on the banks of the Charente. Eclectic mix of old and modern seating. A cold beer or glass of wine hits the spot.
Bô Bar
Le Port du LysTry this quirky bar on the banks of the Charente. Eclectic mix of old and modern seating. A cold beer or glass of wine hits the spot.
La Bambouseraie Joan Brisson
16 Rue du MoulinA bamboo "forest" that is the stuff of dreams and serenity
Golf du Cognac
2 Rue de la MaurieIdeally situated between Jarnac and Cognac
Water sports
Enjoy kayaking on the Charente. Instructions in multiple languages. Great fun and good value. Wear waterproof shoes, you will need them.
6 Einheimische empfehlen
Cognac Canoe Club
1 Pl. du SolenconEnjoy kayaking on the Charente. Instructions in multiple languages. Great fun and good value. Wear waterproof shoes, you will need them.
X'eau
1 Place de l'azuréSport
BOWLING DE SAINTES
19 Rue des RochersEntertainment
Cinéma Galaxy
57 Av. Victor Hugo