places to visit around les charmettes

distance to beaches

• La Palmyre (3 miles)
• Côte Sauvage (3 miles)
• Ronce-les-Bains (6 miles)
• St. Palais (6 miles)
• Royan (12 miles)

sun baking

With sheltered beaches and coves, the beach resort of La Palmyre is ideal for families. But if you prefer catching the waves,then head further round the coast near the lighthouse for excellent surfing. There’s also a good bay here for windsurfing.

going to the zoo

Your children will love the zoo at La Palmyre - particularly as many of the animals will happily munch popcorn out of their hands, the elephants and giraffes seem particularly keen on the stuff. Just don’t let them try this with the lions! The zoo is one of the biggest in Europe with 1,600 animals. It runs breeding programmes for endangered species but something makes me suspect that your children are going to be more interested in the parrot and sealion shows, the baby monkeys and zebras, and the extrovert meercats who love to play up to an audience.

cognac

If you're after a day out to keep dad happy then a visit to Cognac works a treat.  Also, it's not too dull for the kids, which of course helps.

The town, just in case you didnt' know, gives its name to one of the world's best-known types of brandy or eau de vie.   Spend the day exploring the town's medieval quarter, "Vieux Cognac" running from the Tours Saint-Jacques, alongside the river, up to the Saint-Léger church.  You'll love gazing at the unusual buildings on the narrow cobbled streets, built between the 15th and 18th centuries, and you can also play the game of spotting the ugliest gargoyle.

If you can, fit in a visit to one of the Cognac making houses. The Martell house is well organised, with a sound and light show and taste testing.  

on your way back home why not visit futuroscope.. one of the leading tourist attractions in france

Thrills, imagination, discovery.. at Futuroscope, choose amongst more than 30 fascinating experiences to amuse yourself while exploring another world. New for 2008, dare to try the all new experiences; the topsy-turvy world of the 'Castle of Giddiness', get up very close to 'Dinosaurs', fly at high speed around the Artic circle with the 'Lapland Express' and live out a world exclusive extraordinary experience 'Animals of the Future'.

travel tips

Make your journey easier with the following options:

• Overnight stop at a hotel in Orleans
• Motorail Calais to Bordeaux
• Flydrive via La Rochelle