Atlantic Cognac, the natural choice
Get ready to explore the various trails around Charente! Explorers of all ages will want to unwind, reconnect with nature and breathe in the wood-scented air. Make the most of the natural environment by walking, cycling, horse riding – and even rollerblading – by the sea or through the vineyards.
Keen cyclists will be able to throw themselves into long-distance routes including La Vélodyssée® (the French part of the Eurovélo 1 connecting Norway to Portugal), La Flow Vélo® (from Île d’Aix to Thiviers), La Vélo Francette® (connecting Ouistreham to La Rochelle), Le Canal des Deux Mers à Vélo (from Royan to Sète) and even La Scandibérique® (which takes you into the heart of Haute-Saintonge). All promise to pleasantly surprise those who like to venture off the beaten track. If you want to try some of these trails and plot your route, you can use our Loopi app.
Keen hikers and walkers can follow the very large network of marked trails, car-free greenways, paths and hiking routes. Laid out and identified in national guides, these trails meet the standards of the French Hiking Federation. Among them, the Camino de Santiago has to be the most well-known: 125km of it cross Charente-Maritime, punctuated by stone markers. From the Poitou to the banks of the Gironde, this UNESCO World Heritage path leads you in the footsteps of pilgrims through history, nature and incredible heritage.
Those who enjoy unusual experiences can choose from horse riding beside the sea, hot air ballooning over the mainland or islands, parachuting, interactive treasure hunting and helicopter flights.