La Rochelle
Little over an hour from Le Logis du Paradis you reach the best of the French Atlantic coast. Starting from the north, this includes the ultra-fashionable Ile de Re; low-key, but now extremely sought after by the rich and maybe famous.
Then the ever-enjoyable port of La Rochelle. Great yachting centre and beautiful inner harbour lined with smart cafes and seafood restaurants. The little known but fascinating peninsular of Fouras, is also a stepping-off point for the traffic-free Ile d’Aix and views of Fort Boyard.
Then the former naval centre of Rochefort with the 18th century dockyards preserved for you to see the traditional ropeworks and also the reconstruction of the Hermione, Lafayette’s flagship which is being built to traditional standards over a period of years and will eventually set sail from here for Boston.
Moving south you find Marennes, the traditional heart of the oyster beds and housing a fascinating new centre called le Cite de l’huitre with an innovative restaurant aimed at oyster addicts. There is the nearby village of Brouage, a Vauban fort now left stranded in the marshes by the retreating coastline. Then across the bridge to the Ile d’Oleron, the largest of the islands, with lovely sandy beaches.
Finally the Foret de la Coubre and the end of the Gironde estuary with the old fashioned French seaside resorts of St Palais, Royan and St Georges de Didonne.
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