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 from Pays Charentais and oysters from Marennes Oléron
Label Rouge (red label) for the moules de filières (mussels)

Salon de la Gastronomie - 24th - 25th September (10.00 - 19.00) sees the second gastronomic festival in the town of Marans housed in the covered market. Beware - visitors will be tempted by the delicious local products from the area such as Marans Chickens, Galettes Charantaises (biscuits made with angelica), mussels, oysters, the tourteau fromager (a scrumptious cake made with cheese that has a texture similar to madeira cake), cognac and pineau etc.

Escales Gourmandes à Châtelaillon-Plage - The restaurateurs of Châtelaillon-Plageare coming together this 10th - 16th October to present the very best of the regional flavours, tastes and products of the Charente-Maritime. This third year will see cooking classes and tastings in convivial surroundings.

Le Chai du Rouissoir - A few steps from Jonzac, the Chapon family have been cultivating vines for several generations. It was however in 1973 that Guy and his son Didier took the business in a new direction, enlarging the vineyard area and installing their own distillery equipment. They now produce their own cognac which is called Bouilleurs de Crus and it was thanks to their 1970s business plan, that they can now offer cognacs that have been aged in their own barrels.

They now offer visitors the opportunity to play at being a vigneron, with one - three hour interactive guided walks through the vineyards and woods on the banks of the River Seugne.

Un Voyage Sensoriel - La Maison de la Vigne et des Saveurs d’Archiac delves into the wine culture of the Haute-Saintonge dedicated to Cognac and Pineau des Charentes. The exhibition offers a great introduction to Cognac where visitors discover the differences between the grape varieties, the importance of the soil or terroir etc. This experience is part of Vignobles et découvertes et Les étapes du Cognac.

From Grape to Grain - Beer lovers will enjoy the artisanal brewery in Brasserie de Bercloux. The brewers have created six different varieties of Bercloise Beer - one based on Cognac, one white beer etc - all made in a Charentais alambic. Their newest and most exciting development however comes in the form of artisanal whiskey. To avoid disapointment tours and vists are best booked in advance.

Where to graze

Restaurant de l’Ile aux Papilles - Having opened this February, Sarah and Sébastien’srestaurant dreams have been realised by crowd-funding as they attempt to have a 100% sustainable business with no wastage. Based on L’Ile d’Oléron, they serve the best of local bio produce.

Gourmet Afloat - This unusual 38 metre long barge has become a restaurant bistronomique, launching this spring. Moored in Saintes on the River Charentes, Le Batiâ is modelled on the Freyssinet brand popular in the 1900s. A cosy and convivial atmosphere with musical accompaniment.

Tropical Dining with a view - For views over the old harbour in La Rochelle, the rooftop restaurant Le Café de L’Aquarium La Rochelle is unbeatable. Situated within a tropical environment featuring vanilla trees, hibiscus, giant ferns, palm trees etc, the menu uses the best of the area’s seasonal produce.

Must visit - La Suite restaurant in La Rochelle is presided over by Johan Leclerre, a Meilleur Ouvrier de France since 2007. This Rochelais returned to his home town in 1998 having done his apprenticeship in some of France’s best restaurants under the tutelage of the great Troisgros, Ducasse and Gagnaire.

Photo credit thanks to: CMT17 C. Vaurigaud / CMT17 C. Triballier / De l’ile aux papilles / © Aquarium La Rochelle / Chai du Rouissir /

Notes to Editors: Situated in the heart of the French Atlantic coast, the Charente-Maritime destination is the premier tourist destination in France for French travellers. The Charente-Maritime offers the visitor a lovely choice of coastal destinations such as Royan or the Ile de Ré, city breaks to Saintes or La Rochelle and beautiful countryside such as the Marais Poitevin or Cognac Country. Charente-Maritime has more wellness centres (six) than any other French ‘department’ and a number of UNESCO World Heritage sites. It is a gastronomic destination of note – oysters, mussels, sea salt, pineau des Charentes, and is easily accessible by road, rail or air from the UK. It boasts a Mediterranean climate of around 300 sunshine days a year as well as a whole host of events taking place throughout the year. For more information visit www.france-atlantic.com.

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:

Where to graze

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