Charente Maritime, one of the French regions, is located on the western coast of the country. It adjoins the neighboring departments of Dordogne, Gironde, Vendee, and Deux-Sevres. Surrounded by oyster farms, pristine lakes, superb beaches, Roman ruins,

and other historic sites, Charente Maritime is today a highly frequented tourist destination in the world. The rich architectural and cultural heritage like the arch of Saintes, Roman church of St-Pierre at Aulnay, and the Roman amphitheatre draw a hefty crowd from far-off lands. Home to the unspoiled La Rochelle port, this region has several holiday rentals Charente Maritime France for the innumerable vacationers coming to this place for spending holidays.

The sun-kissed beaches, natural reserves, and pine fringed land of Ile d'Orleon are some of the beauties of Charente Maritime. The Ile de Re Nature Reserve is a place worth visiting. Having saltwater marshes and serving as a roosting nest for birds, this reserve attracts naturists in plenty. There are innumerable chateaux that display the architectural styles right from Renaissance to Romanesque and Gothic. Some of them include the 16th century chateaux of Mirambeau, 17th century chateaux of Douhet, and the 18th century chateaux of Panloy in Port-d'Envaux. The Boyard Fort along the Charente coastline is structurally very impressive. A visit to the old town area of Saint-Jean-d-Angely will bring you close to the medieval days. A striking landmark of this area is the twin towers of the Abbey Royale. Booking one of the holiday cottages Charente Maritime will be your best choice for accommodation as offering a luxuriant stay is their primary motive.

Seafood dominates the platter in local restaurants. The Marennes-Oleron oysters, bouchot mussels, and cagouilles are some of the extremely delicious regional delicacies that you can savor in any of the local bistros. Besides, there are a host of other dishes to satisfy every kind of taste buds. Most of the holiday apartments Charente Maritime provide an easy access to the numerous restaurants, bars, and shopping centers of the region. Booking one of these vacation rental properties can be somewhat difficult during the festive seasons such as the street music festival of Saintes, Blues-Jazz festival of Cognac, and un Violon sur le Sable of Royan.