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What are the most popular destinations to visit in Charente-Maritime?
There are many lovely places to stay for a holiday trip or just for a weekend in Charente-Maritime. From HomeAway travelers, the most popular destinations to visit are:
- Île de Ré: 3,279 vacation rentals
- La Rochelle: 2,439 vacation rentals
- Champagne: 314 vacation rentals
- Royan: 1,899 vacation rentals
- Saint-Martin-de-Ré: 1,919 vacation rentals
And HomeAway offers you the chance to discover many other popular destinations in Charente-Maritime! Please use our search bar to access the selection of vacation rentals available in other popular destinations.
What are the main cities to discover in Charente-Maritime?
Whether you're traveling with family or friends, here are the cities with the largest selection of vacation rentals for a holiday trip or just for a weekend in Charente-Maritime:
- La Rochelle: 2,439 rentals
- Champagne: 314 rentals
- Royan: 1,899 rentals
- Saint-Martin-de-Ré: 1,919 rentals
- Rochefort: 525 rentals
For other cities, please use our search bar to access the selection of vacation rentals available.
Can I find easy-access vacation rentals when traveling by plane to Charente-Maritime?
Yes of course. Our owners offer a large selection of vacation rentals near airports. The airports with a large selection of vacation rentals in Charente-Maritime are:
- La Rochelle-Ile de Re Airport (LRH): 4,332 vacation rentals
- Saintes (XST): 882 vacation rentals
- St Agnant Airport (RCO): 3,008 vacation rentals
For other airports, please use our search bar to access the selection of vacation rentals available.
Near which points of interest can I spend my holidays in Charente-Maritime?
HomeAway offers a large selection of rentals near lovely places in Charente-Maritime. From HomeAway travelers, the most popular points of interest to stay for a holiday trip or just for a weekend are:
- Royan Beach: 2,616 rentals
- Museum of Saint Jean d'Angely: 369 rentals
- Museum of the Island of Oleron: 4,058 rentals
- Royan La Palmyre Racecourse: 2,794 rentals
- Les Antilles de Jonzac: 425 rentals
But there are many other points of interest around Charente-Maritime listed on HomeAway where you can find your place to stay. Just write your wanted destination in our search bar and have a look at our selection.
Charente-Maritime is a French gem
The department of Charente-Maritime occupies a scenic stretch of France's south-west coast. Its historical sites, sandy beaches and surprising amount of annual sunshine have made it one of France's vacationing hotspots in recent years. Its almost 500 kilometers of coastline provide endless water sport opportunities. It doesn't matter if you're into sailing, kite surfing or water skiing, you can find it all near your Charente-Maritime vacation rental. One day you could be splashing around in the sea, the next pulling up and shucking oysters at the local beds in Marennes-Oleron and the following one ambling around a Romanesque church.
Seafarers and landlubbers love Charente-Maritime
You don't need to worry about what you are going to do when you stay at a Charente-Maritime vacation rental. Its position along the Atlantic Ocean means many outdoor activities are centered around the sea. You can take your pick from windsurfing, kayaking or sailing and if you don't know how, you can always take lessons. Landlubbers won't miss out. Jogging along the coastal trails is popular, as is cycling through the parks. Alternatively, find a sunny spot along the shoreline and cast in your line or saddle up for a day on the equestrian trails.
France's most beloved zoo in Charente-Maritime
When you stay at the Charente-Maritime vacation rental, you'll have one of France's most beloved zoos right on your doorstep. The 50-year-old La Palmyre Zoo spans 18 hectares and houses more than 1,600 critters. For more wildlife, swing by the Aquarium de La Rochelle where you can get face-to-face with many creatures of the deep, including sharks, jellyfish and shoals of piranhas. Those with an interest in botany shouldn't skip the Jardins du Monde in Royan. Other than the beautiful manicured gardens packed with tropical flora and bonsai trees, you can admire the country's largest orchid greenhouse.
Summer sees the most visitors to Charente-Maritime
Being located along the French coastline, it will come as no surprise that the biggest influx of travelers is during the summer. Between June and August, Charente-Maritime vacation rentals get booked up by families looking for a beach break and to escape the stuffy cities. If you plan to visit during the warmer months, try to score a rental early. With some luck, the shoulder seasons can have a very agreeable climate and with rental prices taking a nosedive and far fewer people on the beaches and hiking trails, it can be just the ticket if you're looking for a bargain getaway.
Herons and crooking frogs in Charente-Maritime
The marshlands, rivers and woodland of the Marais-Poitevin provide a habitat for lots of wildlife. There is birdlife here aplenty, including magnificent herons which paddle in the shallows in search of fish before taking off and skimming just above the water's surface. Along the rivers and streams you will hear the croaking of frogs and the sound of crickets. The scenic waterways, with overhanging weeping willows, are best seen from one of the wooden boats called "barques" that ply the rivers. When you stay in a Charente-Maritime vacation rental, the nearby reserve in Saint-Denis-du-Payre is another good introduction to the flora and fauna.