10 Best Things to Do this Summer in Poitou-Charentes

La Rochelle is a resort town on the rocky coast of Charente in southwestern France, known for its vibrant maritime history and charming medieval townscape. In La Rochelle, you’re also treated to great dining options and fun summer activities like cycling tours around the town and Atlantic Coast – there’s a local community bike-sharing scheme that’s free for your first few hours.

Explore the Vieille Ville or Old Town to take in the splendid Renaissance architecture and passageways or catch the seafaring vibes and history at the old harbour of Vieux Port and the huge and modern Les Minimes marina. La Rochelle’s beaches aren’t the best, but you’d simply need to cross the bridge to Île de Ré for that.

The Marais Poitevin Regional Nature Park (Parc Naturel Régional du Marais Poitevin) is a go-to for cool escapes into the lush greenery of the Poitou region in western France. One of the best things to do in summer in Poitou-Charentes is exploring the Marais’ lovely marshlands by rowboat, canoe, or gondola via leafy canals. On these tours, you’ll have picture-postcard countryside views and be able to spot rich birdlife along the way.

You can also explore this largest marshland on France's Atlantic coast by bike. There are hundreds of miles of waymarked cycling trails throughout the park and along the main waterways. Or, simply take a leisurely hike –stroll along white paths and over small bridges above creeks, under the cool shade of ash trees.

Île d'Oléron, or simply Oleron, is a beautiful summer island getaway off the west coast of France. The island is connected to the mainland of the Charente-Maritime department by the 2.8-km-long Pont De L'ile d'Oleron bridge. The island is known for its great collection of scenic and sandy beaches as well as vineyards that you can ride past along its great network of cycling routes.

Oleron’s popular beaches include the beautiful Plage de la Remigiasse and the Grand-Village-Plage – both have golden sand and azure waters. There are many out-of-the-way stretches of sand and saltmarshes for quiet escapes, as well as beaches with favourable surf and wind conditions that have evolved into surfers’ playgrounds. Le Château d'Oléron, just one of the island’s many fishing port towns, is a go-to for seafood, particularly oysters.

Grande Plage de Châtelaillon is one of the best beaches on the coast of Charente-Maritime in southwestern France. Stretching for about 2 km, the beach offers wide golden sand that’s met by waveless and shallow waters – great for families with little kids to frolic in. If you’re here to swim, avoid low tide as the water may recede a few kilometres out.

There are surfing, sailing, and other water sports at both ends of the long beach. You can also enjoy a stroll while taking in the views along the beach promenade – some parts of the beach are wheelchair friendly. Many come or stay on until the late afternoons to enjoy the magical sunsets.

La Flotte is a charming seaside village on Île de Ré, among the islands off the coast of the Charente-Maritime department in southwestern France. The village is also known as the island’s oldest, offering great summer sightseeing with its splendid collection of historical landmarks that date back as far as the 12^th and 17^th centuries. These include the must-see grand Abbaye des Châteliers abbey and the clifftop Fort la Prée on the island’s north-eastern tip.

Take a stroll under medieval arches and through the Marché de la Flotte morning market for a colourful range of fruits, cheeses and freshly baked goods. It’s a great starting spot to pack a picnic before hitting the island’s gorgeous beaches such as Gollandières or Plage de Montamer.

Futuroscope is one of the world’s most unique theme parks, emphasising fun 3D and 4D multimedia technologies. The theme park is among the best things to do in summer in Poitou-Charentes, especially with kids in tow. Besides offering fun for all ages, Futuruscope offers a good choice of attractions that grownup thrill-seekers will truly want to experience.

Among the many adrenaline-pumping attractions are Destination Mars and Dance with Robots, which take you for dancing lessons with giant robots and send you waltzing around 23 ft up in the air. You can also live the action from Luc Besson’s movie series Arthur and the Invisibles in a 4D adventure that lets you ride a ladybug through Minimoy land.

Add the Cognac Festival (Fête du Cognac) to your calendar and time your visit to western France with one of the biggest summer celebrations. The festival celebrates the region’s vineyards, particularly its heritage in the fine brandy that came to be known the world over as Cognac. However, the celebration goes far beyond that.

Cognac Festival is held each July in the namesake commune. It also features local wines and regional produce such as the Charentais melon – a flavourful local variety of cantaloupe. You can also expect Marennes-Oléron oysters, served at fishermen's huts and around Charente’s marinas. Top that with live evening pop and rock concerts, and you’ll have a lasting memory of your trip to this corner of Charente.

Plage de la Palmyre is a large and unique beach that faces the bay of Bonne Anse in Mathes, southwestern France. The bay is known for its stunning dunes formed at the mouth of the Gironde as it flows into the Atlantic. This adds to the striking seascape of Palmyre. The beach itself has a long spire of sand that stretches for about 4.5 km.

In favourable weather and wind conditions, the bay area becomes a desirable playground for windsurfing and kitesurfing. The beach has lifeguards on duty in the summer months and is also well-facilitated with dining spots and public restrooms. You can combine your visit with a stopover at the nearby Zoo La Palmyre. In any case, do stay until dusk for truly unforgettable sunsets.

The Castle of Riddles (Le Château des Enigmes) is the nickname given to Château d'Usson in Pons, one of the many stately French chateaus dotting the Charente-Maritime region. This enigmatic theme comes from it being more than just a majestic landmark to take your Instagram photos against. At the castle, you and your family can engage in treasure-hunt-like escape games.

The premise is you get locked up inside one of the castle’s chambers, and the clock starts ticking before you and your team of up to 5 try to solve your way out. The castle is a 20-minute drive from Cognac. It’s a thrilling way to spend a few hours inside a truly historic landmark.

Château de La Rochefoucauld is both the name of a charming village in Charente, southwestern France, and the magnificent chateau that towers above it. Set on top of a rock and overlooking the Tardoire river, the castle dates back to the 11^th century. Parts of this splendid building are open for public visits.

The history of the château is closely linked with the history of the La Rochefoucauld family – it has been their home for over 1,000 years. About 20 furnished rooms including 7 drawing rooms still have old paintings and furniture belonging to the family intact. Outside, you can walk over the bridge and admire the beautifully maintained gardens around it.