Charente-Maritimeholidays Your Guide to the Region’S Coasts, Beaches and Heritage
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Tourist guide 2016/17 in Charente-MaritimeHolidays Your guide to the region’s coasts, beaches and heritage FREE This magazine is available online at www.rheamarketing.fr n°8 Contents THE ATLANTIC COAST La Rochelle ...................................................4 to 9 L’île de Ré ................................................ 10 to 18 Châtelaillon-Plage .................................. 19 to 20 Rochefort ................................................. 21 to 23 Rochefort Océan ............................................... 24 The Marennes-Oléron Basin .................. 25 to 28 L’île d’Oléron ............................................ 29 to 34 Le Pays Royannais .................................. 36 to 38 THE INLAND Saintes ............................................................... 42 Saint-Jean-d’Angély ......................................... 43 Pons ................................................................... 43 Jonzac ............................................................... 43 FURTHER AWWAY IN CHARENTE Cognac ..................................................... 44 to 45 Editorial in chief: Nathalie Vauchez Editorial: Catherine Bréjat - Translation: David P.Holland Cover and page design by RCE, Aytré 05 46 44 74 41 Copyright: Offi ces de Tourisme : La Rochelle, ACTIVITIES IN CHARENTE MARITIME Rivedoux, Ars-en-Ré, Saint-Martin-de-Ré, Châtelaillon-Plage, Rochefort, Brouage, Royan, Saintes, Cognac, Marans, Mornac-sur- Local products and produce ........................... 46 Seudre. Maison du Tourisme Marennes-Oléron. Musées de La Rochelle. Destination île de Ré. - Cover : Incognito Nightspots.......................................................... 54 Advertising: Rhéa Marketing North of Charente-Maritime: Flore Amaral Where to enjoy the best ice-cream ? ............ 55 La Rochelle: Lara Laurençon île de Ré: Valérie Darcy Theme parks ............................................ 58 to 60 South of Charente-Maritime: Frédéric Delantes 19 av de Philippsburg - BP 43 - 17410 Saint-Martin-de-Ré Wildlife parks and attractions......................... 61 Tel. +33 (0)5 46 00 09 19 - mail: [email protected] ............................... 63 Printer: La Rochelaise Fun activities for children Legal deposit upom publication. Sports ...................................................... 65 to 66 Holidays in Charente-Maritime is published by Rhéa Marketing. Holidays in Charente-Maritime L’éditeur n’est pas responsable des inexactitudes, erreurs ou omissions parues dans Holidays in Charent-Maritime. Aucun article de cette publication ou omissions parues dans Holidays in Charent-Maritime. des inexactitudes, erreurs n’est pas responsable L’éditeur ns publicitaires. totalement ou partiellement ni utilisé à des fi reproduit ne peut être du copyright. du copyright. Les photos des publicités sont fourniesen cas de non respect Les photos des publicités sont fourniesen cas de non respect par les annonceurs qui sont responsables par les annonceurs qui sont responsables is printed on a PEFC paper. DIARY 10-31-1240 3 The history of La Rochelle has been shaped over the centuries by its seafaring traditions and its reputation as a rebellious stronghold. La Rochelle he Romans were the fi rst to found a settlement on the site of today’s city and they planted vineyards and developed the art of farming salt by evaporating seawater in the salt beds. TIn 1152, following the annulment of her marriage to French King Louis VI, Eleanor of Aquitaine married Henry Plantagenet who became King Henry II of England in 1154. From this moment onwards, La Rochelle was to fall successively under the control of English and French forces as the two nations battled for supremacy in the region right until the mid-15th century. The city’s wine trade reached its height in the 13th century as Cistercian and Cluny monks expanded the vineyards in the area. Wines and salt were shipped to England, Flanders, Scandinavia and the Baltic countries. This bustling business was to bring Reformist ideas in La Rochelle. Louis XIII looked unfavourably upon the growing infl uence of La Rochelle and despatched a trusted governor to bring the city to heel. His adviser, Cardinal Richelieu, was merciless and laid siege to the city in 1627-1628 when it lost three quarters of its population. La Rochelle prospered again with the growth in the slave trade and fell into decline with its abolition and did not prosper again until the early 20th century with the construction of a harbour capable of accommodating huge fi shing trawlers. The modern city has developed its fi shing industry and has also built the largest marina in Europe at Les Minimes. In recent years, popular events such as the Grand Pavois boat show in September and the Francofolies music festival in July have transformed La Rochelle into a major regional attraction. La Rochelle is a stylish and modern city with a wide range of fashionable shops and some excellent restaurants which have earned the city a reputation as a centre of gastronomic excellence. Before you do anything else, be sure to visit the Tourist Offi ce where you can fi nd out about the different types of tourist passes available for public transport and which entitle you to special rates in the museums. Tourist Offi ce 2 quai Georges Simenon La Rochelle Tél. +33 (0)5 46 41 14 68 4 LA ROCHELLE THE TOWN With its outstanding architectural and cultural heritage, old port, bustling market and a wide variety of restaurants to cater to all tastes and budgets, La Rochelle is a delightful city for locals and visitors alike. The Old Port The Old Market The Vieux Port is the historic heart The Halles du Marché co- of La Rochelle. From here, you face vered market was built the three towers that are the em- in 1836 and is a hive of blem of the town and which guarded activity on Wednesdays the entrance to the harbour for cen- and Saturdays when tra- turies. They were built in the 14th ders set up their stalls and 15th centuries and have made inside the market and in La Rochelle famous worldwide: the the neighbouring streets. Tour Saint-Nicolas, the Tour de la This is the place meet lo- Lanterne and the Tour de la Chaîne; cals and get a feel of the the latter now houses a permanent city lifestyle. The market is surrounded by many exhibition on the ties between La fi ne houses dating from the Middle Ages, some of Rochelle and Quebec. The tree-lined which have retained their half-timbered facades. Cour des Dames, looking out to sea, is lined with restaurant terraces where you can enjoy seafood plat- Town Hall ters and mussels with French fries. This pedestrian area is perfect for window At the end of Cour des Dames, you shopping among the stores and boutiques will fi nd La Coursive Scène Nationale, under the traditional La Rochelle arcades a theatre and performance venue that were built to protect the gentle bour- set in the former Carmelite convent, geoisie of the 17th cen- and rue Saint-Jean du Pérot, which is tury from the rain. Rue almost entirely given over to restau- Saint-Yon and Rue Mercier rants. Opposite, on the other side of are criss-crossed by a nu- the harbour, which you can reach by mber of smaller streets boat (crossings every 15 minutes) is lined with shops. This is the area known as Le Gabut, the old the place-to-be for serious fi shing district that was renovated shoppers in La Rochelle! in 1989. There is also a nearby sea shuttle to the marina at Les Minimes. 5 Church of Saint-Sauveur At the heart of this district, the Hô- tel de Ville is the most visited histo- rical building in La Rochelle. Around the church of Saint-Sauveur, explore the little side streets to discover won- ders such as the cloister and chapel at Le Cloître des Dames Blanches. The Saint-Nicolas district This former fi shermen’s district is a lively area for nightlife. It is popular with young people and sailors who fl ock to its many bars including Ge- neral Humbert’s, a lively Irish pub, and the much appreciated Cave de la Guignette. The surroun- ding streets are home to second-hand clothes stores, art galleries, bookshops and boutiques offering the latest fashions. At the heart of this area, the Place de la Fourche is a pleasant spot to enjoy a relaxing drink or a meal. Parks & Gardens La Rochelle features many public parks and gardens, the largest being Parc Charruyer. Locals come here for a Sunday stroll with the family, a morning run or for picnics with children who can also enjoy the play- ground. Parc d’Orbigny, along the attractive Allée du Mail thoroughfare, is noted for its delightful bandstand while the Parc de la Porte Royale is laid out with Engli- sh-style gardens. Parc Franck Delmas features a host of remarkable botanical species while nature lovers will be captivated by the Parc des Pères south of Les Minimes marina and Parc Massiou with its two orangeries. 6 The Museums FINE ARTS MUSEUM Located in the Hôtel Crussol d’Uzès, the museums gives a panorama of European painting from the 15th to the 20th centuries. Most of the paintings are by 19th century artists with works by Camille Corot, Paul Huet, Gustave Doré and local artists such as William Bouguereau, Eugène Fromentin and Théodore Chassériau. The 20th century is illustrated through some outstanding works by Alberto Magnelli, Maurice Denis and Gaston Chaissac. n 28 rue Gargoulleau - La Rochelle - Tél. +33 (0)5 46 41 64 65 NEW WORLD MUSEUM The museum illustrates the history of the ties between La Rochelle and the Americas since the 16th century. As a busy port, La Rochelle played a major role in trade and emigration to the New World. The collections evoke the West Indies, Canada, Louisiana and Guyana while some fi ne furniture and artefacts recall the tastes and wealth of the great ship-owners of the past. n 10 rue Fleuriau - La Rochelle Tél. +33 (0)5 46 41 46 50 Hôtel ★★★ Saint Jean d’Acre Ideally situated right in the heart of the old city, the Hotel Saint Jean d’Acre has 60 air-conditioned and equipped rooms. Many gastronomic restaurants, remarkable eateries and brasseries offer you a vast range of culinary delights.