Campsite in Charente-Maritime
Staying at Camping Sable Vignier is a great way to discover our beautiful region and all its treasures. The Charente-Maritime department includes two historic regions: Aunis (La Rochelle and Rochefort areas) and Saintonge (Saintes, Oléron and Royan areas).
These lands were built and elevated (many 12th-century buildings) in the Middle Ages by Eleanor of Aquitaine, Duchess of Aquitaine, then Queen of France and Queen of England. The English presence on our coasts both developed our ports and forged our maritime and commercial relations.
So in Oléron, under the name of the village of Ors (today), you’ll find the village of Horse (formerly), where the stables of the Château’s knighthood were grouped together.
Add to that the Wars of Religion and the Hundred Years’ War, Cardinal Mazarin and Cardinal Richelieu, and you’ve got a life-size playground of history!
- Brouage 16th century
This stronghold with its many watchtowers was originally a busy trading port. It is now silted up… several kilometers from the Charente coast.
Brouage was the scene of many historic events, from the salt trade to the Netherlands, to the wars of religion between Catholics and Protestants. It was also the port of departure for Samuel Champlain, who founded Quebec City in 1603. Cardinal Mazarin also sent his niece Marie Mancini, to keep her away from a Louis XIV madly in love with her….
A great treasure hunt (available from the tourist office) through the village will delight all families!
- Rochefort
This 17th-century new town (complete with sidewalks and underground drainage!) was designed by Vauban and Colbert to become the armory of Louis XIV’s fleet.
Most recently, theHermione was built and armed here using the shipbuilding techniques of the time.
A whole adventure to discover in the exhibition dedicated to him. It returns regularly to its port…Also worth a visit: La Corderie Royale, the port, the thermal baths, and the Pont Transbordeur, its 19th-century suspension bridge. (unique in the world).
Capital of Charente-Maritime. This magnificent city, the scene of decisive events in French history, needs no introduction.
The port, with its famous St Nicolas and Chaîne towers (not forgetting the Lantern Tower a little further on), the shopping streets, the Big Clock, the gardens and the beautiful houses of the town center. Don’t miss theAquarium de La Rochelle, the Port des Minimes and its splendid pleasure boats. In summer, La Rochelle plays host to the Francofolies festival, an essential stage for French music. To the north of the town, the bridge linking the mainland to the Ile de Ré.
