This part of France benefits from a
wonderful warm climate extending from March right
through to October due to the effect of the Gulf Stream
– in fact it is the second sunniest area in
France after the Riviera.
The beautiful blue flag sandy beaches and coves of
Meschers, Saint-Georges-de-Didonne and Royan are 25
- 30 minutes drive away. The historic towns of Saintes
or Pons are under 30 minutes away. Within an hour
you can be in the beautiful ancient port of La Rochelle,
cross over to the Ile de Re, or in the vineyards of
Bordeaux or the lovely mediaeval town of Saint Emilion.
St Fort is a delightful village 3km inland (and a
lovely cycle ride) from the tiny estuary fishing village
of Port Maubert, which has a very good ‘rustic’
restaurant. Saint Fort has all the local amenities
you need – including bakers, bank, post office,
chemist, tourist office and bar – plus a famous
12th century church. It is surrounded by vineyards
that produce the local Pineau des Charentes as well
as Cognac. This is great countryside for walking,
cycling and birdwatching. Tennis, fishing, horseriding
and canoeing are also available locally. There are
fifteen Michelin featured restaurants within a fifteen
mile drive with seafood, salt-marsh lamb, foie gras
and duck the specialities of the area. And, if you
want to eat in, there are also many local markets,
including those at Cozes, Mirambeau and Gemozac (not
to mention the twice weekly one outside the front
door in Saint Fort), where you will find fresh fruit
and vegetables, cheeses, meat and plenty of the local
seafood.
Click here to find out more
about the area around Chateau de la Place. Click here
to view more images of the area. |
Sandy Beaches
Within 25 minutes drive of Saint Fort you will find
some of the best sandy beaches in Europe including the
3 star Michelin rated 2km long fine sandy beach at Royan,
Saint-Georges-de-Didonne, Meschers and La Plage des
Vergnes where you will also find caves and rock pools.
The beaches of the Cote Sauvage (north of Royan) have
the best waves for water sports and fabulous sand dunes.
Similarly the islands of Ile de Re and Ile d’Oleron
have some wonderful stretches of sand.
|
|
Watersports
As well as bathing and basking in the sun, Royan and
the Ile d’Oleron are centres for water sports
such as windsurfing and sailing. Boat trips and rentals
are also available.
|
|
Cycling & Walking
There is a network of quiet lanes winding amongst the
vineyards around Saint Fort, with some lovely views
of the estuary beyond the vineyards. There are numerous
cycle tracks in the area. Either bring your own bikes
or hire them locally (this can be arranged in advance).
From St Palais-sur-Mer near Royan there is 60 km of
cycle track through the forest and along the coast.
There are also marked routes for mountain bikes.
|
|
Golf, Tennis & Horse Riding
Golfers are well catered for with excellent courses
at Royan, Saintes, Cognac and Bordeaux. Two tennis courts
are available for public use at Saint Fort. There are
several good horse riding facilities locally - we can
arrange lessons or days out on request.
|
|
Bird Watching
There are always birds of prey circling the vineyards
and you are likely to see black redstarts, cuckoos,
black kites, hen harriers, buzzards, goshawks, herons,
pied flycatchers and hoopoes, amongst others. The area
as a whole is excellent for spotting migratory birds
(particularly spring and autumn). At Rochefort, about
50 minutes north of Saint Fort, 74 hectares of ecological
lagoons welcome thousands of birds each year.
|
|
Fishing
Trout, pike, perch, big carp and whitefish are among
the first class catches that the fishing enthusiast
can pull out of the waters of the River Charente and
other rivers and lakes in the area. The local tourist
office in Saint Fort has details of where permits can
be purchased. Deep sea fishing is also available at
Royan.
|
|
Go Karting, Flying and Parachuting
If you are an adrenalin junkie there is plenty more
to offer locally. At Royan there is an excellent outdoor
go-karting track, which caters for children (over 1.3m
tall) as well as adults. Also at Royan is a flying school
which also offers helicopter flights, parachuting and
paragliding.
|
|
Wine Tasting
You can taste (and buy) Cognac, chardonnay, sauvignon
or pineau at a number of vineyards around Saint Fort.
Within an hour is Cognac itself, where you can visit
the famous producers and then, of course, there is the
famous wine growing region of Bordeaux. St Emilion is
a charming place to spend a day - wander round its cobbled
streets, lunch in one of its many restaurants, sample
the wine and take the little train around the best-known
vineyards and their chateaux. Or you could take a tour
of the Medoc, just across the estuary by ferry and home
to some of the most famous Bordeaux vineyards.
|
|
The Zoo at La Palmyre
In the heart of one of the most beautiful pine forests
in the area just north of Royan lies La Palmyre zoo
(45 minutes’ drive). The most famous zoological
park in France and recently voted European Zoo of the
Year, it is the most visited tourist attraction in the
department of Charente-Maritime. As a breeding zoo it
is different from most people’s idea of a zoo
with many animals free to roam – there are more
than 1600 in all!
Visit the Official Website
|
|
History and Culture
There are many places of historic interest within an
hour’s drive of Saint Fort: Saintes, full of Roman
history, in particular its impressive amphitheatre;
Rochefort with its Corderie Royale and the reconstruction
of Lafayette’s ship Hermione; the old fortified
port of La Rochelle with its hidden streets lined with
arcades and boutiques (a great place for shopping) plus
its fabulous new aquarium; Cognac, the birthplace of
Francois 1 and home to the fine brandy which bears its
name, made in cellars many of which are open to visitors;
elegant Bordeaux, the regional capital of Aquitaine
and the charming walled village of Talmont with its
Romanesque church, to name just a few. |
|
| Shopping
For keen shoppers, Bordeaux, La Rochelle, Saintes
and Royan all have a great range of designer boutiques,
fantastic food shops and department stores.
|
|
Places to Visit
Click here to find out more
about the area around Chateau de la Place. |
|
 |
|
|
|
| |
|
