| The Beaches near our Child Friendly Gites in the Charente Maritime in south west France |
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. Originally the
fortifcations were needed to fight off the
Normans and then the British. Nowadays,
the only invaders are tourists. There is a
great view from the fort, along the coast to
La Rochelle and across to the islands.
This area also boasts four large beaches
and lots of woodland.
Yves Bay to the Charente River. It is also
historically interesting and has long been a
heavily, fortified area. Originally the
fortifcations were needed to fight off the
Normans and then the British. Nowadays,
the only invaders are tourists. There is a
great view from the fort, along the coast to
La Rochelle and across to the islands.
This area also boasts four large beaches
and lots of woodland.
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.
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 another popular place for its beaches and
probably one of the closest. In summer it has a fun fair starting every
afternoon, plenty of restaurants, bouncy castles on the beach, sunbeds to
hire and always lots of activities going on for the children.
probably one of the closest. In summer it has a fun fair starting every
afternoon, plenty of restaurants, bouncy castles on the beach, sunbeds to
hire and always lots of activities going on for the children.
The islands of Oleron and Ré 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 !
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 !
Oleron is now linked to the mainland by a road bridge, so you can easily visit the island and enjoy the beaches, the
fishing or the forest. There are numerous footpaths in the forest where you can explore or a favourite with children
- Le Petit Train Touristique Forestier which will take you along the dunes and the beaches and through the forest.
fishing or the forest. There are numerous footpaths in the forest where you can explore or a favourite with children
- Le Petit Train Touristique Forestier which will take you along the dunes and the beaches and through the forest.
To visit the Ile de Ré 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.
St Martin de Re is gorgeous, a mini La Rochelle and a wonderful place to
hire a bike (and tag along or child seats too) and take a leisurely cycle along
the quiet cycle tracks and lanes.
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.
St Martin de Re is gorgeous, a mini La Rochelle and a wonderful place to
hire a bike (and tag along or child seats too) and take a leisurely cycle along
the quiet cycle tracks and lanes.
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Just south of Royan on the coast road to Meschers are some lovely beaches. Far less touristy with fewer facilities but quieter and also because of the cliffs along that
area of coast, there is shade, large caves to explore and rock pools, ideal for when the tide goes out.
La Palmyre coast line also has some excellent beaches. Dunes have been man made to provide salt water lakes, so when the tide is out (it goes out along way) there
is still water for the children to swim in and the adults to cool down in.
area of coast, there is shade, large caves to explore and rock pools, ideal for when the tide goes out.
La Palmyre coast line also has some excellent beaches. Dunes have been man made to provide salt water lakes, so when the tide is out (it goes out along way) there
is still water for the children to swim in and the adults to cool down in.