Discover our top places to visit in Charente-Maritime
The team at your campsite in Charente-Maritime also plays tourist… rarely while the campsite is open, but in winter we’re always on the lookout for what we recommend during your stay. Here are our favorites! But there’s plenty more to discover. Just ask at reception, and we’ll point you in the right direction. At reception, you’ll also find a wide range of brochures on the Saint-Jean-d’Angély area (we guarantee you won’t get bored!) as well as on tourist sites in the département and the region!
Don’t forget: the Val de Boutonne campsite is an hour’s drive from all the major tourist attractions – La Rochelle, Rochefort and Ile d’Oléron, Saintes and Cognac, the Marais Poitevin, La Palmyre Zoo and the La Rochelle Aquarium – , as well as the Futuroscope… From the campsite, you can also visit the Puy du Fou, a two-hour drive… And Bordeaux is only an hour and fifteen minutes away, with its city center, the banks of the Gironde and the Cité du Vin!
From the campsite, you can get away from it all and enjoy a wonderful holiday full of surprises!
The Puychérand path: discover the banks of the Boutonne river
A pedestrian path in Saint-Jean-d’Angély to discover the banks of the Boutonne from another angle.
Just a stone’s throw from the campsite, the Chemin du Puychérand is a wonderful discovery on foot along the banks of the Boutonne. A pedestrian path in Saint-Jean-d’Angély, laid out in harmony with Mother Nature along the water’s edge and vegetable gardens. You’ll discover a corner of nature that will take you from the lake to the foot of the Deux Tours and the Cordeliers museum. You’ll be able to watch wild ducks take flight, moorhens swim and listen to the lapping of the water. A wonderful discovery in golden Saintonge!
You can also take this path to Mat&Lie’s gardens, where you can pick organic vegetables to embellish your summer dishes.
Explore Brouage, a fortified town on the Charente-Maritime marshes
A small fortified town in the heart of the Charente-Maritime marshes between Rochefort and Ile d’Oléron, Brouage is less than an hour from the 3-star Val de Boutonne campsite.
On the way to Brouage, you can stroll through the marshes and, at certain times of the year, even see storks, herons and many other species of nesting birds. Brouage is one of Charente-Maritime’s little-known gems. Founded around 1555, Brouage was once a salt and war port, and its imposing ramparts stand in the heart of the Charente marshes between Rochefort and Oléron Island. On arrival, you can walk around the ramparts and enjoy a magnificent view over the marshes and surrounding villages. Along the way, you’ll come across historic buildings such as the citadel, which now hosts exhibitions.
Hidden throughout the city are a number of artists’ boutiques selling souvenirs for young and old, including jewelry, decorations, toys and even handmade sweets.
Cycling getaway: enjoy bike touring from the campsite!
The Val de Boutonne campsite team tests activities in the Saint-Jean-d’Angély area to help you make the most of your vacation.
Discover the Charente-Maritime countryside from inland. An outing for the whole family.
Good news: a cycle route has just been created that passes right by the Val de Boutonne campsite, the rives de Boutonne. On a fine summer’s day, we decided to give it a try. We set off in the direction of Dampierre, following the signposted path. Each village we passed had its own charming little nooks and crannies, with buildings to see and people to meet.
Far from being regular cyclists, we didn’t think we’d make it all the way to the end of our stage, and yet… The road was beautiful and fairly flat. It took us almost 3 hours, but we took our time! We stopped at quite a few places, to take photos, have a snack, etc. It’s possible to do the whole route in one go. So it’s possible to do the route in much less time, leave for a full day and pack a picnic or eat on the spot, depending on where you want to go. You can even make a round trip in a day. From Saint-Jean-d’Angély, over 115 km of small roads lead to Tonnay-Boutonne, Puyrolland, Torxé and the Vélodyssée. Remember to reserve your bikes with our partner VDS Mobilité, who will deliver them directly to the campsite.
Our good restaurants in Saint-Jean-d’Angély
The Val de Boutonne campsite team also likes to dine out at the best restaurants in the area, to give you the best advice. After a day’s sightseeing in Charente-Maritime, here are three restaurants we tried out and recommend with our eyes closed.
– Le Scorlion, housed in a wing of the Abbaye Royale in Saint-Jean-d’Angély, has become a local institution over the years. Since 2009, chef Thomas Routhieau has been offering fine local cuisine, with exotic touches brought back from his travels. Old stonework, a shady terrace on the Abbey side, a fine wine list recommended by Claire: the perfect address for a memorable dinner during your stay. More info on restaurant-le-scorlion.fr.
– Aux Bons Vivants, on rue Gambetta just a stone’s throw from the Abbaye Royale, lives up to its name. Julien and his team specialize in barbecued meats: skirt steak, flank steak, rib-eye, roast knuckle, suckling pig shoulder, single, double or even triple burgers… all with home fries. A friendly atmosphere, a shady terrace in summer, and value for money rarely seen elsewhere. Open 7/7 for lunch and dinner in season, remember to book! Find them on their Facebook page.
– Au Jardin d’Ô, on the banks of the Bernouët lake – which you reach by taking the footbridge at the campsite entrance – is the perfect spot to extend a day’s vacation. French cuisine with suggestions from the West Indies, accras, pineapple carpaccios, homemade desserts… all to be enjoyed on the terrace, facing the water. Every weekend, concerts from around the world enliven the premises (jazz, West Indian sounds, Celtic music) and for children, there’s even a miniature golf course, inflatable games and pedal boats. Available from April to September. More info on their Facebook page.
And of course, if you’re looking for other good addresses, just ask at reception – we’ve always got a little idea in the back of our minds!
Château de la Roche Courbon, 30 minutes from the campsite
Just 30 minutes from your vacation destination, this château is the perfect place to spend the day with family and friends.
Château de la Roche Courbon is a privately-owned historic monument with a rich heritage that’s sure to impress! Its French-style gardens, which have been awarded the “Remarkable Garden” label, its large ornate rooms and its year-round park make it an ideal destination for a day out with family or friends.
Guided or self-guided tours will introduce you to the rich history of the site and help you discover this beautiful building and its gardens. You can also visit an archaeological site and a prehistoric museum. Children will be delighted by the games designed for them and the discovery of ancient games. An escape game is also available!
We can advise you on rates and availability, or you can go directly to the Château de La Roche Courbon website for more information.
The Baudet du Poitou asinerie, an atypical visit
Opt for an unusual and instructive visit in the heart of nature, just a stone’s throw from Dampierre-sur-Boutonne, a charming village in the Charente-Maritime region.
Just 23 minutes from the campsite, on the edge of a forest near Dampierre-sur-Boutonne, on a typical Saintonge farm, you’ll discover the Pôle Nature de l’asinerie du Baudet du Poitou. The Baudet du Poitou is France’s oldest breed of donkey, and this is where you can learn about its breeding and use. Fun and educational activities are on offer.
Great walks in the forest too.
Find out more about this accredited site on the Charente-Maritime nature breakaways website.
L’asinerie du Baudet du Poitou:
YouTube video
Aulnay-de-Saintonge, on the road to Compostela
For lovers of stone and culture, a jewel of Romanesque art.
From the Val de Boutonne campsite in Saint-Jean-d‘Angély, take the opportunity to visit a jewel of Romanesque art, the town of Aulnay-de-Saintonge… 20 minutes by car, 1 h 15 by bike… A lovely detour!
By bike or by car, don’t hesitate to visit Aulnay de Saintonge, famous for its historic heritage and its emblem, thechurch of Saint-Pierre, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a stage on the Tours route of the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, an architectural masterpiece that will amaze lovers of art and history. And don’t forget to extend your visit to the medieval garden behind the church for a timeless interlude. To discover these marvels, contact the tourist office, which offers tours of these sites. Fun tours are also available for families. A nice detour, a nice walk. Green Charente-Maritime is full of surprises! On Sunday mornings, you can take advantage of theopen-air market in the town of Aulnay-de-Saintonge to discover a wide selection of fresh produce and local products, and enjoy a snack or meal at the town’s various food outlets.
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