The Échappées Nature network covers 50,000 hectares of fragile and exceptional natural areas. Charente-Maritime also has 5,000 kilometres of walking trails—a foundation for trips where landscapes and culture can take centre stage in different ways. Routes run along the ocean, through marshland and forests, and include stops in towns and villages. Your choice of places will therefore also depend on whether you prefer hiking, visiting cultural sights or combining both.

Nature Trails and Outdoor Experiences

At Échappées Nature sites, you can take guided or self-guided walks and enjoy exceptional viewpoints. Workshops, unusual outings and events round out the offering. Activities for observing migratory birds are also available. If you have a particular event or workshop in mind, check the dates before travelling.

The Marais poitevin can be explored on foot, by bike or by boat. These different ways of getting around are available side by side, without needing to be combined into a single tour. If you’re interested in horse-riding trails, the Route des Cardinaux is an equestrian route linked to the tracks of D’Artagnan. Each option gives your nature itinerary its own character: a walk, birdwatching and a horse-riding route are distinct experiences.

Culture, Maritime History and Local Specialities

The Musée Ernest Cognacq presents the heritage of Île de Ré through archaeological, historical, ethnographic and artistic collections. The museum is housed in a late-15th-century mansion whose building is protected as a historic monument. It also offers a cultural programme for all audiences. In La Rochelle, the Musée maritime preserves a historic fleet of nine ships. Brouage, meanwhile, is a fortified village in the marshes that once served as a port for the salt trade. In Rochefort, the Corderie Royale is listed as a historic monument and is associated with the manufacture of ropes for the French Royal Navy.

Salt and oysters are also part of the region’s identity. The salt-making traditions of Île de Ré and the Marennes-Oléron area include hand-harvested sea salt. Oysters from Marennes-Oléron have IGP status; the Fines de Claires Vertes and Pousse en Claire varieties have also received Label Rouge awards. These precise designations help identify regional products without implying that the award applies to all oysters.

Plan Your Journey and Choose the Right Accommodation

La Rochelle station is served by TGV INOUI, OUIGO, INTERCITÉS and TER trains; regional rail services run to Rochefort and Saintes. Direct trains also operate between La Rochelle and Rochefort. You can also visit Charente-Maritime without a car: regional buses connect arrival stations with coastal towns. Check current train connections and bus routes before travelling, especially if your choice of destinations depends on a particular service.

Then match your planned destinations to the train or bus services that suit you. When choosing a hotel, check how the specific accommodation connects with your own plans rather than assuming a particular connection or location.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Arces-Sur-Gironde, Chassiron, Chaucre, Dirée, Dolus-D'oléron, Dompierre-Sur-Mer, Epargnes, Foulerot, Fouras, Grand-Village-Plage, Ile-D'aix, L'houmeau, La Brée-Les-Bains, La Couarde-Sur-Mer, La Flotte-En-Re, La Rémigeasse, La Rochelle, La Tremblade, Lagord, Le Château-Doléron, Les Mathes, Saint-Just-Luzac, Medis, Meschers-Sur-Gironde, Rivedoux-Plage, Royan, Saint-Denis-Doléron, Saint-Georges-De-Didonne, Saint-Palais-Sur-Mer, Saint-Xandre, Sainte-Soulle, Saujon, Soubise, Talmont, Trizay, Vandré, Vaux-Sur-Mer, Vert-Bois, Montendre, Montlieu-La-Garde, Saint-Martin-De-La-Coudre, Chenac-Saint-Seurin-D'uzet, Mornac-Sur-Seudre, La Natonnière, Saint-Martin-De-Ré, Ars-En-Ré, Salles-Sur-Mer, Jonzac, Rochefort, Breuillet, Saint-Trojan-Les-Bains, Saint-Fort-Sur-Gironde, Tonnay-Charente, Tonnay-Boutonne, Saintes, Puilboreau, Marennes, Marans, Le Bois-Plage-En-Ré, Cierzac, Châtelaillon-Plage, Aytré, Sainte-Marie-De-Ré, Saint-Jean-D'angély, Gémozac, Saint-Augustin, Saint-Sauvant, Saint-Mard, Asnières-La-Giraud, Blanzay-Sur-Boutonne, Sainte-Gemme, Cramchaban, Aujac, Port-Des-Barques, Villars-En-Pons, Bourcefranc-Le-Chapus, Chantemerle-Sur-La-Soie, Saint-Crépin, Salignac-Sur-Charente, Les Portes-En-Ré, Muron, Saint-Hippolyte, Périgny, Port-D'envaux, Rouffignac, Mosnac, Saint-Clément-Des-Baleines, Loix, Ozillac, Saint-Palais-De-Phiolin, Saint-Maigrin, Bernay-Saint-Martin, Etaules, Pont-L'abbé-D'arnoult, Pons, La Jarrie, Cozes, Saint-Vivien, Léoville, Chérac, Archingeay, Fontcouverte, Dompierre-Sur-Charente, Saint-Bris-Des-Bois, Berneuil, Surgères, Saint-Sornin, Mirambeau, Soubran, Matha, Rouffiac, Brie-Sous-Archiac, Saint-Hilaire-De-Villefranche, Arvert, Taugon, Boresse-Et-Martron, Villiers-Couture, Migron, Soulignonne, Nieul-Le-Virouil, Benon, Thénac, Saint-Simon-De-Pellouaille, Saint-Loup, Clavette, Jarnac-Champagne, Thézac, Saint-Aigulin, Nieulle-Sur-Seudre, Saint-Maurice-De-Tavernole, Grézac, Lorignac, Semussac, Saint-Pierre-D'oléron, Saint-Georges-D'oléron, Luchat, Crazannes, Boisredon, Réaux, Aigrefeuille-D'aunis, Cravans, Chaillevette, Échillais, Vérines, Le Gua, La Benâte, Sablonceaux, Péré, Forges, Breuil-La-Réorte, Rétaud, Les Essards, Chaunac, Annepont, Vouhé, Marsilly, La Gripperie-Saint-Symphorien, Beurlay, Paillé, Mortiers, Burie, Pisany, Chambon, Thairé, Mazeray, Saint-Léger, Saint-Genis-De-Saintonge, Aulnay, Taillebourg, Saint-André-De-Lidon, Dampierre-Sur-Boutonne, Romegoux, La Barde, Neuvicq-Le-Château, Contré, Cressé, Saint-Savinien, Rioux, Cercoux, Bougneau, Villemorin, Pessines, Landrais, Bagnizeau, Croix-Chapeau, Gourvillette, L'éguille, Boscamnant, Saint-Jean-De-Liversay, La Genétouze, Loiré-Sur-Nie, Fontaines-D'ozillac, St-Pierre De Pérignac, Sousmoulins, Néré, Cherbonnières, Charron, Ciré-D'aunis, Tanzac, Guitinières, Saint-Pierre-De-Juillers, Saint-Sulpice-De-Royan, Saint-Denis-Du-Pin, Préguillac, Saint-Dizant-Du-Gua, Nieul-Sur-Mer, Prignac, Beaugeay, Angoulins-Sur-Mer, La Clisse, Souméras, Nuaillé-Sur-Boutonne, Vergné, Tesson, Saint-Christophe, Saint-Pardoult, Geay, Chaniers, Boutenac-Touvent, Champagnac, Courpignac, Mortagne-sur-Gironde, Archiac, Courçon, Loulay, Yves, Saint-Thomas-de-Conac, La Ronde, Louzignac, Barzan, Hiers-Brouage, Courcelles, Aumagne, Saint-Coutant-le-Grand, Saint-Cyr-du-Doret, Champdolent, Saleignes, Montguyon, Siecq, Saint-Germain-de-Lusignan, Montpellier-de-Médillan, Saint-Ciers-du-Taillon, Meursac, La Jard, Villars-les-Bois, Varaize, Beauvais-sur-Matha, Sonnac, Fléac-sur-Seugne, Saint-Médard-d'Aunis, Brives-sur-Charente, Saint-Simon-de-Bordes, Saint-Sauveur-d'Aunis, Saint-Hilaire-du-Bois, Saint-Georges-du-Bois, Nantillé, Chepniers, Saint-Séverin-sur-Boutonne, Genouillé, Chadenac, Saint-Porchaire, Clérac, Saint-Ouen-d'Aunis, Chervettes, Vinax, Saint-Césaire, Haimps, Sainte-Lheurine, La Vergne, Bouhet, Saint-Laurent-de-la-Prée, Bussac-Forêt, Le Fouilloux, Sainte-Ramée, Le Gicq, Saint-Bonnet-sur-Gironde, Pouillac, Saint-Germain-de-Vibrac, Clam, Saint-Sulpice-d'Arnoult, Saint-Romain-sur-Gironde, Saint-Seurin-de-Palenne, Brie-sous-Mortagne, Allas-Bocage, Avy, Clion, Bazauges, Vervant.

For the broader travel overview: Poitou Charentes.