Things to Do in Charente-Maritime – Montendre & Beyond
Things to Do in Charente-Maritime – Montendre & Beyond
Chatenet Holiday Gites is an ideal base for exploring Charente-Maritime and finding things to do near Chatenet. The small town of Montendre is just 15 minutes away, while a little further afield you can discover Atlantic beaches, traditional French markets, vineyards, historic towns and attractions for all ages.
We also offer wine tasting at Chatenet Holiday Gites, giving you the opportunity to discover and taste wines from the surrounding region without having to leave the property. It is one of the special features of staying with us and a great way to enjoy the wine and food culture of Charente-Maritime.
Whether you want to explore the local countryside, enjoy a day at the coast, discover the wine regions around Cognac and Saint-Émilion, visit historic places such as the Citadel at Blaye, or simply find something fun for the family, there is plenty to see and do within easy reach of our gîtes.
Things to Do in Montendre
Montendre is a small market town in the Haute-Saintonge area of Charente-Maritime, around 15 minutes by car from Chatenet Holiday Gites. It makes an easy half-day or full-day visit, with a historic château, lake and beach, local markets, shops and seasonal events.
Château de Montendre
The ruins of the Château de Montendre are just a 15-minute drive from Chatenet Holiday Gites. Standing at over 110 metres above sea level, the château provides wonderful views across the surrounding countryside, with its mix of pine forests, vineyards and agricultural fields.
The château is within easy walking distance of the centre of Montendre, with fortifications having been established here since the ninth century. You can find more information about the history of the château on the official Château de Montendre website.
The enclosure at the top of the château has been converted into an open-air theatre where events are held throughout the year. A visit to the château can easily be combined with exploring the town and its Thursday morning market.
Lac Baron-Desqueyroux
Lac Baron-Desqueyroux is around 10 minutes from Chatenet Holiday Gites and is a popular place to enjoy the outdoors. Set amongst the pine forest, the lake has a sandy artificial beach and a public swimming pool, together with walking routes and seasonal activities.
Activities around the lake include swimming, walking and water sports, making it a good choice for families as well as anyone looking for a relaxing day outdoors. For current information about activities at the lake, see Jonzac Haute-Saintonge Tourism.
Montendre Market
Montendre's Thursday morning market is a great opportunity to experience local French life and discover regional food and produce. The town also has Intermarché and Super U supermarkets, both with petrol stations, making Montendre a convenient place to stock up during your stay.
Montendre's Marchés Nocturnes
During the season, the Marchés Nocturnes on Tuesday evenings are a particularly enjoyable way to experience the atmosphere of a traditional French evening. They combine food, local produce and entertainment and are well worth looking out for when you're staying in the area.
Family Activities & Places to Visit
There are plenty of family-friendly things to do and attractions in Charente-Maritime and the surrounding area. From water parks and outdoor adventures to cycling and historic attractions, there are options for children and adults alike, whatever the weather.
Les Antilles de Jonzac
Les Antilles de Jonzac is a great choice for a family day out, particularly when the weather isn't ideal for the beach. This large tropical-themed aquatic centre has a lagoon with waves, waterfalls, jets, a 35°C Roman bath and a waterslide, as well as outdoor areas and other activities.
There is also a restaurant and snack area, so it is easy to spend several hours here. Visit the official Les Antilles de Jonzac website for current opening times, activities and prices.
Château des Énigmes at Pons
For something a little different, Château des Énigmes at Pons turns a visit to a historic château into an adventure. Families can follow a large outdoor puzzle trail through the château grounds, solving clues and completing challenges as they explore.
The park covers 10 hectares and the main adventure takes around three hours, making this a good choice for a full family outing. There are also escape games for older children and adults. Find out more about Château des Énigmes.
Port Vitrezay & the Gironde Estuary
Port Vitrezay is a nature area on the banks of the Gironde Estuary, where you can enjoy the riverside scenery and discover more about this fascinating part of Charente-Maritime. It is a quieter alternative to the busier coastal resorts and a good place for a walk, a picnic or a boat trip when seasonal activities are running.
For current activities, events and ideas for exploring the area, see the Haute-Saintonge Tourism website.
Voie Verte – Cycling & Walking
The Voie Verte de Haute-Saintonge provides a safe and enjoyable way to explore the countryside without having to worry about traffic. The 14-kilometre route between Chevanceaux and Clérac follows a former railway line and is reserved for walkers and non-motorised activities including cycling, roller skating and horse riding.
Its gentle gradients make it particularly suitable for families, with picnic areas and views across woodland, vineyards and the Lary valley. Find out more about the Voie Verte de Haute-Saintonge.
Best Day Trips from Chatenet in Charente-Maritime
Chatenet Holiday Gites makes a great base for exploring further afield. Within a comfortable drive you can reach Atlantic beaches, beautiful villages, historic towns, famous wine regions and some of the best-known destinations in south-west France.
Royan & the Atlantic Coast
For a traditional seaside day out, head west towards Royan and the Atlantic coast. Royan has long sandy beaches, a lively seafront and distinctive 1950s architecture, while the surrounding Côte de Beauté offers many more beaches, coastal walks and places to explore.
For ideas on beaches, activities and places to visit, see the official Royan Tourism website.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux makes an excellent day trip for anyone interested in history, architecture, food and wine. The city centre is full of elegant buildings and attractive squares, while the Garonne riverfront is a great place to explore on foot. Bordeaux is also an ideal starting point for discovering the famous vineyards surrounding the city.
Find things to see and do on the official Bordeaux Tourism website.
Cognac
Cognac is a fascinating destination for anyone interested in wine, spirits and French heritage. The town sits on the Charente River and is home to some of the world's best-known Cognac houses. Visits and tastings provide an opportunity to discover how Cognac is produced and aged, while the historic town itself is well worth exploring.
Cognac also gives you the opportunity to discover more about Pineau des Charentes and the vineyards of the surrounding region. For information about visiting the town and its attractions, see Cognac Tourism.
Aubeterre-sur-Dronne
Aubeterre-sur-Dronne is one of the most picturesque villages in the region and a wonderful choice for a day trip. Officially classified as one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France, the village is built into the hillside above the River Dronne, with pretty white-stone houses, narrow lanes, cafés and artisan shops.
One of Aubeterre's highlights is the remarkable underground Church of Saint-Jean, carved directly into the rock. Down by the river, the setting changes completely, with a riverside beach and opportunities for swimming and canoe and kayak trips along the Dronne.
It's an especially good destination for families or anyone wanting to combine beautiful scenery and sightseeing with an outdoor activity. Find out more about Aubeterre-sur-Dronne, including the village, underground church and activities on the river.
Saint-Émilion
The beautiful medieval village of Saint-Émilion is surrounded by some of the world's most famous vineyards. Its cobbled streets, historic buildings, wine shops and restaurants make it an enjoyable place simply to wander around, while wine lovers can explore the surrounding vineyards and châteaux.
The official Saint-Émilion Tourism website has information about visits to the village and surrounding vineyards.
Blaye & the Gironde Estuary
Blaye is one of the easier day trips from Chatenet Holiday Gites and combines history, scenery and wine. Its impressive Citadel is part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Vauban fortifications and offers wonderful views across the Gironde Estuary.
The surrounding Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux wine region also offers opportunities to visit vineyards and meet local producers. For current information about the Citadel, the estuary and wine experiences, see Blaye Tourism.
Saintes – Roman History & Shopping
Saintes is an excellent day trip if you want to combine sightseeing with shopping, cafés and a stroll around a lively historic town. With more than 2,000 years of history, Saintes has some of the most impressive Roman remains in the region, including its Gallo-Roman amphitheatre, the Arch of Germanicus and the remains of the Roman baths.
The historic centre is also well worth exploring, with pedestrian streets, independent shops, cafés and restaurants. You can easily combine a visit to the Roman sites with some shopping and a walk along the River Charente.
For more information about the Roman heritage, shopping and things to do in the town, see the official Saintes & Saintonge Tourism website.
Markets & Food in Charente-Maritime
One of the pleasures of staying in this part of France is discovering the local markets and enjoying the food and produce of the region. Markets are a great way to experience everyday French life, pick up ingredients for a meal at your gîte or simply find something delicious for lunch.
Local Markets
The surrounding towns and villages have regular markets where you can discover fresh local produce, bread, cheese, meat and other regional specialities. Jonzac and Blaye both have regular markets, while smaller villages hold their own markets and seasonal events.
During the summer, keep an eye out for Marchés Nocturnes, when local food, drink and entertainment come together for a relaxed French evening.
Local Food & Regional Specialities
The Charente-Maritime region is particularly well known for its seafood, with oysters, mussels and other shellfish featuring strongly along the Atlantic coast. Further inland, you'll find local cheeses, meats, fresh vegetables and seasonal produce, often available directly from markets and local producers.
The region is also closely connected with the production of wine, Pineau des Charentes and Cognac. Exploring the local food and drink is therefore very much part of discovering the character of south-west France.
Eating Out
There is a good choice of cafés, restaurants and places to eat in the surrounding towns and villages, from simple French cafés to restaurants specialising in local produce. Jonzac, Montendre and Blaye are all useful places to look for a meal when you're out exploring.
And of course, staying in a self-catering gîte means you can also make the most of the local produce you've discovered at the markets and enjoy a relaxed meal back at Chatenet Holiday Gites.
Wine & Vineyard Experiences
Chatenet Holiday Gites is ideally placed for discovering the wines of Bordeaux and South-West France. The surrounding countryside is dotted with vineyards and wine producers, while the famous wine regions of Bordeaux and Saint-Émilion are also within reach for a day trip.
Wine Tasting at Chatenet Holiday Gites
One of the special features of staying with us is the opportunity to enjoy wine tasting at Chatenet Holiday Gites. Through Va-Va-Vin, we offer relaxed and informal tastings designed to help you discover and enjoy wine in a friendly setting.
The tastings explore wines from different producers and châteaux, allowing you to compare different styles and discover what you actually enjoy drinking. We also look at the people, places and stories behind the wines, making the experience about more than simply what's in the glass.
There are different tasting experiences available, from an introduction to wine tasting featuring five selected Bordeaux wines to tastings exploring different Bordeaux styles and wines from other regions of France.
Find out more about Va Va Vin wine tastings.
Discover the Wines of Bordeaux
Bordeaux is one of the world's great wine regions and is within easy reach of Chatenet Holiday Gites. Although the region is particularly famous for its red wines, there is a remarkable variety to discover, including white, rosé, sparkling and sweet wines.
One of the pleasures of exploring Bordeaux wine country is discovering the differences between regions, grape varieties and individual producers. Visiting a château or vineyard gives you the opportunity to taste local wines where they are made and learn more about the traditions behind them.
Saint-Émilion Wine Country
A visit to Saint-Émilion combines one of France's most beautiful historic villages with some of its most famous vineyards. The medieval village is surrounded by wine estates and offers plenty of opportunities to discover local wines, visit wine shops and explore the surrounding countryside.
The official Saint-Émilion Tourism website has information about visiting the village and its surrounding vineyards.
Blaye Wine Country
The vineyards around Blaye provide another excellent opportunity to discover Bordeaux wines. The Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux wine region is particularly easy to combine with a visit to the Citadel and the Gironde Estuary, making it an excellent choice for a wine-themed day out.
The Blaye Tourism website has information about local vineyards, wine estates and other things to do in the area.
Cognac & Pineau des Charentes
The wider region also has a long tradition of producing wine, Pineau des Charentes and Cognac. A visit to Cognac offers the chance to discover how locally produced wine is transformed through distillation and ageing into one of France's best-known spirits.