This is the 2017 calendar for festivals and events of all kinds in the Charente-Maritime, a coastal destination of note situated in the heart of the French Atlantic coast. From jazz music to the classics, from films to rock concerts, from brass bands to violins, from cognac to water-sports - there are festivals to suit every age, taste and interest. The Stork Festival – Saint-Jean d’Angle – … [Read more...]
Products & Produce in the Charente-Maritime
Charente-Maritime can really be described as a chef's dream kitchen with a cupboard full of specialist ingredients. Famed for the oysters grown off the shores of this department on France's Atlantic Coastline, there's also salt, sea urchins and potatoes from the Ile de Ré, saffron from the Marais-Poitevin and the "hens with the golden eggs" from Marans among many other gourmet delights. The … [Read more...]
Gastro Grazing in the Charente-Maritime
In the first part of our foody outreach for the Charente-Maritime, we highlight some of the excellent gastronomic products that have meritted official certification - and where to find them: 2 AOC (appellation d'origine controlee) Cognac and Pineau des Charentes 2 AOP (appellation d'origine protégée) Butter Charentes-Poitou, potatoes of Ré 2 IGP (indication geographique protegée) Wine … [Read more...]
Hermione sets sail The Americas for the first time since 1780
Rochefort, 15th April 2015 – On Saturday 18th April the replica 18th Century frigate, Hermione is scheduled to depart French shores en route for The Americas, retracing the journey that took Lafayette over the Atlantic for the War of Independence. Hermione is the largest and most authentically built tall ship created in the past 150 years. Over the past two decades, she has been recreated using … [Read more...]
Gastronomic Charente-Maritime
December 2014…Charente-Maritime has a wealth of gastronomic delights whether it’s locally produced oysters or goat’s cheese, fresh sea salt or Bouchot mussels, Surgères butter or Mojhettes beans. The Charente wines are well respected and the unique fortified wine (Pineau de Charentes) together with cognac, give the area worldwide renown. Looking at a couple of products a little more … [Read more...]
Cycling in Charente-Maritime
May 2014…In France the bicycle is nicknamed ‘La Petite Reine’ (The Little Queen) and in the Charente-Maritime they offer something for different levels of cyclists that holiday in the area to enjoy. The Citybreaker… La Rochelle is home to the Yélo velo (Yellow Bike) – very distinctive and easy to find in all parts of the town. Best of all they are completely free! There are 160 kilometres of … [Read more...]
Events in Charente-Maritime 2014
Charente-Maritime offers the visitor a wealth of events and festivals to enjoy throughout the year. Please find below a selection of what there is to see this year. Special mention should be made of the Maraisthon celebrating its fifth anniversary in 2014, and the Francofolies – thirty years old this year. April - May - June Kite Flying Festival - Chatelaillon– 19th – 20th April An annual … [Read more...]