Four to five days covers the coast and the river towns without feeling rushed — a couple of nights near La Rochelle or Rochefort, then inland toward Cognac and Angoulême.
Discover Authentic Charentes: A Local Travel Guide by Mercure
At Mercure, we believe you shouldn't need a guidebook to feel like you belong somewhere. That's the idea behind Discover Local: since 1973, every Mercure hotel has been built around its neighbourhood, not just dropped into it — from the décor on the walls to the flavours on the menu. Step into any Mercure and our teams are on hand with the kind of tips you won't find in a guidebook: the market stall locals queue for, the bar where nobody speaks English, the walk that skips the crowds. They live here. They know. Discover Local isn't a generic city guide — it's a short, honest list of the restaurants, markets and neighbourhoods our own hotel teams actually recommend to guests, updated as the city changes around us. Below, you'll find our picks for Charentes, an interactive map to help you find your way, and answers to the questions travellers ask us most. So — where will Discover Local take you?
Our map pins local favourites such as the Begonia Conservatory in Rochefort, the Musée Maritime de La Rochelle and the Port-des-Barques ecomuseum.
Top 5 Things to Do in Charentes
Cognac
The town gave its name to the spirit, and the big houses — Hennessy, Rémy Martin, Martell — line the Charente river with cellars you can actually walk through. Ask about the 'part des anges,' the share of every barrel that evaporates into the air each year; it's why the cellar roofs turn black with fungus over time.
Angoulême
Perched on a rocky plateau with ramparts you can walk in full, Angoulême has been France's comic-strip capital since the 1970s. Murals of characters like Lucky Luke and Corto Maltese cover building walls across town, and the city hosts a major comics festival every January.
La Rochelle
Two stone towers — Saint-Nicolas and the Chain Tower — still guard the entrance to the old port. The harbourfront is young and lively at night, and the aquarium is one of the largest in Europe if you're travelling with kids.
Île de Ré
Connected to La Rochelle by a toll bridge, this low, flat island is built for cycling — whitewashed villages, salt marshes, and oyster beds you'll pass on two wheels rather than four. Order a plate of the local oysters wherever you stop for lunch.
Rochefort
Home to the Corderie Royale, a 374-metre former rope-making hall built for the French navy — one of the longest buildings of its kind in Europe. Moored nearby is L'Hermione, a full-scale replica of the frigate that carried Lafayette to America.
Explore Charentes's Best Local Spots with Our Interactive Map
What's on the map in Charentes
We've mapped local spots around Rochefort and La Rochelle, and on to Poitiers.
Rochefort
Begonia Conservatory
Rochefort's conservatory holds the world's largest collection of begonias. Guided greenhouse tours last 45 minutes to an hour, Tuesday to Friday at 2.30, 3.30 and 4.30pm.
Rochefort · Botanical conservatory · Perfect for plant lovers
Atelier Le Bégonia d'Or
Sylvie Deschamps, the only gold-thread embroiderer named Master of Art by the French Ministry of Culture, runs this workshop and shop of made-in-France pieces. Tours on Tuesdays at 3.30pm.
Rochefort · Embroidery workshop · Made for craftsmanship
L'Accord Parfait Masonic Lodge
Founded in 1776, the oldest active lodge of the Grand Lodge of France. Its listed temple opens to visitors on Fridays at 4pm – book at the tourist office.
Rochefort · Historic building · Great for an unusual visit
Pont Transbordeur
France's last transporter bridge, carrying people and bikes across the Charente on a suspended platform. All aboard.
Rochefort · Bridge · Perfect for families
Corderie Royale
A 374-metre rope factory built in 1666 under Colbert for the Royal Navy, stretched along the Charente.
Rochefort · Heritage site · Ideal for history
Île Madame and its fort
A little island you reach at low tide along a submersible causeway, the Passe aux Bœufs. Check the tide times first.
Port-des-Barques · Island · Perfect at low tide
Domaine de la Chauvillière
A wine estate in Sablonceaux with cellar visits and tastings.
Sablonceaux · Winery · Made for tastings
Atelier Pierrot la Lune
A glassmaking workshop in Jonzac where you can watch – and have a go yourself.
Jonzac · Workshop · Great for crafts
La Rochelle & the coast
Musée Maritime de La Rochelle
Climb aboard three historic ships, including the weather ship France I, then see France's unique collection of small pleasure boats in the former fish auction hall.
La Rochelle · Maritime museum · Perfect for families
Port-des-Barques ecomuseum
In two former fishermen's huts on an oyster farm by the Charente, guides explain the oyster's life cycle – and children can try net fishing.
Port-des-Barques · Ecomuseum · Great for families
Dolmen de la Pierre Levée, La Jarne
A seven-tonne megalith standing on Place de la Liberté in La Jarne, fifteen minutes from our Mercure La Rochelle Vieux Port.
La Jarne · Megalith · Ideal for a short stop
Oyster cabins of Île d'Oléron
Colourful former oyster farmers' huts, now home to artists, artisans and restaurants. Wander from door to door.
Île d'Oléron · Craft village · Perfect for a stroll
Carrelets of Royan
Fishing huts on stilts with big square nets, reached by long piers along the Charente-Maritime coast. Beautiful at golden hour.
Royan · Coastal landmark · Great for photos
Canoë Salé
Guided canoe trips through the Fier d'Ars on Île de Ré. Paddle quietly and look around.
Île de Ré · Canoeing · Made for nature
La Martinière
Île de Ré's best-known ice-cream maker, with around forty flavours – oyster included. Dare you?
Île de Ré · Ice-cream shop · Perfect for a treat
Moulin des Loges
One of Europe's last working tide mills, in the Seudre marshes.
Saint-Just-Luzac · Tide mill · Ideal for curious minds
Île d'Aix
A small car-free island reached by boat – waving at Fort Boyard on the way. Hire a bike and explore.
Île d'Aix · Island · Great for cycling
Around Mercure Poitiers
Futuroscope
The famous theme park north of Poitiers, with 40 attractions and a night show.
Chasseneuil-du-Poitou · Theme park · Perfect for families
Vallée des Singes
More than 400 monkeys of 34 species roam free, with no cages or fences. Time it for a feeding session.
Romagne · Animal park · Made for families
Abbaye de Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe
A UNESCO World Heritage abbey with 700 m² of Romanesque frescoes, Europe's largest collection of medieval wall paintings. Look up.
Saint-Savin · Abbey · Ideal for art and history
FAQ
It's easily done from La Rochelle, but an overnight stay lets you see the island at its quietest — early morning on the salt marshes, before the day-trippers arrive.
A car is the most flexible option for reaching the vineyards and smaller river towns, though La Rochelle, Rochefort and Saintes are all connected by train.
A conservatory with the world's largest begonia collection, open for guided tours Tuesday to Friday afternoons.
Yes. The Musée Maritime lets you board three historic ships, including the France I.
At the Port-des-Barques ecomuseum, in two former fishermen's huts on an oyster farm.
Where to Sleep in Charentes
See our Mercure hotels across Charentes, ideally placed to explore these picks.