charente-maritime - L`Espace Pro de Charente

PRESS
PACK
Tourism & Sport in Charente-Maritime
www.france-atlantic.com
Welcome to the premier tourist destination in France for French travelers.
Situated on the Atlantic Coast between Nantes and Bordeaux, Charente-Maritime is
particularly well known thanks to certain destinations :
- La Rochelle – Ile de Ré
- The Coast (Ile d’Oléron, Royan, and Rochefort)
- Cognac country
- The Marais Poitevin (Green Venice)
How to get here ?
By road and motorway
y A10 Paris : 430 km
y A10 Bordeaux : 70 km
y A83 / N137 Nantes : 120 km
By rail
TGV Atlantique
Direct rail links with Paris (3 hours), Bordeaux (21/4 hours), Nantes
(2 hours) and Poitiers (1 hour 10 mins)
z www.sncf.com/en/passengers
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By air
La Rochelle / Ile de Ré Airport
Phone : 33(0)5 46 42 86 70
z www.larochelle.aeroport.fr/en/
Several regular airlines operate flights from Europe and France to La Rochelle-Ile de
Ré airport :
Ajaccio, Londres (Stansted* et Gatwick), Southampton, Birmingham, Manchester, Genève,
East Midlands, Porto, B ristol, Dublin,
Bruxelles/Charleroi, Lyon*
*Annual lines
la Charente-Maritime
#charentemaritime
feel its energy
Charente-Maritime, birthplace of so many adventures, of discoveries and of emotions …
A long coastline, a distinctive light and warm climate, a countryside of contrasts and beautiful colours, fine golden
sands, the islands with their singular charm (Ré, Oléron, Aix et Madame), undulating hills, preserved villages with their
Romanesque churches, chapels, abbeys and other monuments; the Marais Poitevin with her boats, the elegant towns,
notably La Rochelle with her Old Port ; the vineyards…..all these exceptional places entertain many visitors every year
to discover or rediscover the area.
Summary
UNMISSABLE CHARENTE-MARITIME............................................................................................P 4
FAMILY, NATURE, HERITAGE, GASTRONOMY............................................................................... P 6
CHARENTE-MARITIME, Sporting paradise............................................................................ P 8
tourism in the Charente-Maritime...................................................................................... P 11
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© CMT - E. Coeffe
The Arsenal of Rochefort
Build, make fast and refit the ships.
The arsenal has maintained close to 550 vessels throughout three
centuries. Today, emblematic sites like the Corderie Royale, the Garden
of the Returnees, the Marine Museum, and, more recently, Hermione,
have been enjoyed by old and young alike, recounting the history of
the sea and of the area.
This year, the Arsenal is 350 years old.
La Rochelle
© CMT - Aude SCHAEFFER
unmissable
© CMT - E. Coeffe
The three famous towers of La Rochelle –
Saint Nicholas, de la Chaine and de la Lantern
lighthouse are the most famous vestiges of
the medieval , maritime fortifications of the
town and from where there are magnificent
views over to Fort Boyard, the old Port and the
islands. The Lantern Tower is the oldest on the
Atlantic Coast, rising to a height of 70 metres
and it has always served as both a lighthouse
and a prison. After years of renovation, the
tower has now reopened to visitors for 2016.
© CMT - E. Coeffe
Villas line the shore dating from the Belle-Epoque, rubbing shoulders with classic 1950’s
buildings, all geometry and colour. André Malraux, erstwhile Minister of Culture called
the Church of Notre Dame here a ‘Concrete Cathedral’. It has five beaches - all of top
quality and graded in the premier category of cleanliness and maintenance – and its
pleasure port is one of the most important on the Atlantic Coast. Emile Zola discovered
Royan back in 1886 and Sarah Bernhardt was a frequent visitor to the Casino. Picasso
lived here for a year with two of his muses, Marie-Thérèse Wlater and Dora Maar. Family
Plus is a label awarded to places in France that go the extra mile to make holidays even
more unforgettable for all the family.
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The great wild beaches of Ile de Ré
The magnificent beaches of the Ile de Ré seduce all fans of wide open spaces. In the
centre of town, huddled in amongst the pine trees or hiding behind a sand dune,
there are endless places to be able to swim or fish in an unchanging, wild landscape.
As it is so flat, it is an ideal place to cycle and there are more than 100 kilometres of
cycle tracks that lead to many of the unforgettable sites of ‘Ré –the White’.
© Freepik
Royan – historic seaside town
© CMT - C. Triballier
The waters of the Charente
The Charente river has its source in the
Haute-Vienne and it meets the ocean at
Rochefort. It winds through 35 communes
as well as the charming town of Saintes, a
‘Ville d’art & d’histoire’, that is intriguing in
the abundance of its history dating back to
antiquity. A ‘gabare’ is used to navigate the
river – a traditional flat bottomed boat that
used to transport merchandise to market
when the town had a thriving port.
L’Ile d’Oléron
and the Bassin de Marennes
Here is a unique experience for the visitor
– multi-coloured cabins around the
ports, flotillas of barges, fishing boats…
Immerse yourself in the world of oyster
production, a traditional industry that has
been fashioned by the area. The result
of the alchemy between the freshwater
of the Seudre River and the seawater, the
Marennes oyster is the only one in France
to have a Red Label.
© DARRI
© S. Laval
charente-maritime
The Marais Poitevin
© CMT - E. Coeffe
Grand Site de France, the Marais Poitevin AKA the Green
Venice, unveils her verdant countryside : the ferns, the
willows, and above all the canals that inspire you to take
a leisurely boat tour.
The vineyards of Saintonge
In Saintonge Dorée and Haute Saintonge, travel through the vineyards, bathed in
sunshine, to discover cognac and the local wines. If Mum and Dad try the Pineau de
Charente, the kids can taste the grape juice. The caves and castles are home to the
wine growers, all passionate about their produce and proud to explain everything
you could wish to know about charentais wines.
ACCOMMODATION FOR ALL TASTES
Whether you are looking for a welcoming hotel, family oriented campsite, farm, apartment or chambres d’hôtes, in the town centre
or in the heart of the countryside, there is something for everyone. The accommodation throughout the department has its own
unique personality and feel, so much so that you will want to return to Charente-Maritime time after time.
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© Château des Enigmes
© Ker-terre
© Office de Tourisme Saintonge Dorée
© Gettyimages
© Cécile TRIBALLIER / CMT
FAMILY, NATURE, HERITAGE, GASTRONOMY
© Sébastien LAVAL
Keep it in the Family !
La Charente-Maritime, a family destination!
The national Brand « Family Plus », is recognised by the Ministry of Tourism
and recognises communes throughout France that are particularly strong in what
they offer for families, whether its entertainment for all ages, types of business
or being easy to access the services on offer. In Charente Maritime, the following
communities have been awarded the label Family Plus for the last three years :
Royan, Saint-Georges-de-Didonne, Saint-Palais-sur-mer, Rivedoux-Plage and
Saint-Martin-de-Ré.
With six thalassotherapy centres (Ile de Ré, Châtelaillon-Plage, Royan,
Ile d’Oléron) and three thermal spas (Saujon, Rochefort, Jonzac) at the
heart of the Atlantic coast, Charente-Maritime is a point of reference
for any wellness treatments that use water.
There is 460km of coastline and 91 beaches – an unforgettable
countryside especially for those who love the ocean. There are also a
myriad of activities on offer in Charente-Maritime, on the beaches or
in the water.
‘Pleasure’ is the only order of the day!
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© Jacques Villégier
Going back to my roots !
Did you know ?
A gift for you
Top quality salt, oysters, mussels,
cognac or pineau des Charentes…
Charente-Maritime produces excellent fayre,
much of which is recognised by UNESCO.
This diversity of gastronomic products
guarantees a top quality local cuisine for anyone
who appreciates good food and drink.
© Huîtres Charente-Maritime
The brand « Huître Marennes Oléron »
is known throughout the world as a
label denoting excellent quality and
a unique taste. Four types of oyster
are raised in the department - Fine de
Claire, Fine de Claire Verte, Spéciale
de Claire and Pousse en Claire –
known for their wonderful flavour.
© CMT
© Jac Pommier
There are plenty of opportunities in CharenteMaritime to experience the local products
– markets, tastings, cookery courses, visits –
something for everyone.
Nature & heritage
© J. Damase
© Sylvain Roussillon
In Charente-Maritime, nature is queen. There are many different landscapes
– both natural or man-made - that co-exist – marshes, coastline, vineyards,
countryside, the foreshore – all jostling for position.
The department is marketing this wonderful array of natural heritage through
the creation of fourteen ‘ Pôles-Nature’.
Did you know ?
An area such as Charente-Maritime with so much history has many stories
to tell. From the ancient town of Saintes to the Arsenal of Rochefort, the
territory has a fascinating past.
© Elsa COEFFE / CMT
It was in 1995 that the Department of CharenteMaritime created the brand to guarantee the
quality of its natural heritage and to contribute
to its preservation. Today there are fourteen
protected sites that are called ‘Pôles-Nature’
to be found all over the area, witness to the
relationship between man and nature.
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© S. Laval
CHARENTE-MARITIME, Sporting paradise
active and attractive !
A department for sport and sportsmen
Supported by sporting committees and the ‘Comité
Départemental Olympique et Sportif’, the départment is a
partner in numerous sporting events throughout the year
and encourages everyone to practise a sport.
Financing and distributing the «chèques-sport», especially
created for students (an idea of the Conseil Départemental
des Jeunes), grants are awarded to talented youngsters who
show a real potential (licenced in Charente-Maritime). The
départment also helps uncover new talent and encourages
top quality performances as well as contributing to the
building and maintainance of the sporting infrastructure
– stadiums, gyms, stands…
The three principle departmental supports :
• To encourage as many people as possible to take
up a sport, especially youngsters.
• To push everyone in sport to attain to the highest
possible level.
• To contribute financially to the organisation of
sporting events.
z
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For more information visit : charente-maritime.fr
From the middle of the ’90’s Charente-Maritime has
encouraged sport following the excellent results
attained in national and international competition.
Since 2013, grants have been available – anything between 85
and 2730 euros – awarded to those who have attained a place
on the ministerial lists categorised as ‘Hopefuls’, ‘Youngsters’,
‘Senior’ and ‘Elite’. These places are based on performance in
the various disciplines – in the French Championships, European
or World competitions, Olympic Games or Paralympics - and in
the adapted sport and ‘Handisport’ categories.
This year, encouraged by the results of 2015, 132
sports people have been sponsored in twenty different
disciplines helping them financially to follow their
sporting dream in a club in Charente-Maritime.
Sailing is the best represented sport in the départment, thanks to
the fine historic tradition it has here. There are many small sailing
clubs as well as the National Training Centre in La Rochelle.
The Département is ever present in the sporting
arena
Charente-Maritime encourages the support of many sports
that need greater financial assistance than others. The
départment also has a goal to push sportsmen and women
to attain the highest levels which means supporting them
financially so they can turn professional.
2016 … Focus on the Olympic Games!!!
In anyone’s sporting career, the Olympic Games are
the pinnacle of a sporting dream. So this year of
course there is a focus on Rio and the 2016 Olympic
Games. Charente Maritime has decided to support
four athletes aiming for the Games simply because of
their potential based on past performance.
Mathilde DE KERANGAT, , twelfth in the World
Sailing Championships 2016 in the radial laser class,
has been selected for Rio,
Sarah STEYAERT, tenth in World
Championships 2016 in the 49er FX class,
Sailing
Maxime GUÉRIN, selected for the archery team in
the Paralympics – September 7th and 8th 2016,
Et enfin Charline PICON, was World Windsurfing
Champion in 2014 and sixth in 2016.
MAJOR SPORTING EVENTS 2016 :
14th – 19th June : Ile de Ré Toyota Open International
Sport for everyone !
- Tennis handisport
5th – 10th July : La Solitaire Bompard - Le Figaro
Nautical activities
With 463 kilomètres of coastline, four islands (Ré, Oléron,
Aix and Madame), two magnificent channels and many
rivermouths, Charente-Maritime is ideal for a whole raft of
water based sporting activities
25 clubs and « Écoles Françaises de Voiles » affiliated to
the French Sailing Fédération are available to anyone
passionate about this sport.
23rd July : Red Bull Cliff Diving
5th – 21st August : Olympic Games in Rio
23rd – 26th August : International Tour of Poitou-
Charentes
4th – 6th November : Autumn Rally
27th November : La Rochelle Marathon
© Sylvain Roussillon
For the water sports fans…
The town of Saujon is a fine example of somewhere
dedicated to water sports – water-skiing and associated
water sports such as wakeboard, wakeskate and kneeboard.
You are pulled along by a circular cable ten metres into the
air at a speed of about 30 kilometres an hour. Up to seven
skiers can take part at any one time with a more difficult
course available for the hardened pro !
And for those who want even more …
The flyboard, invented in 2011, and the hoverboard, in
2014, are boards that appeal to the snowboarder as you
are propelled through the water by a jet-ski motor, on the
end of a 21 metre tube. These new innovations allow you
to surf through the air, 12 metres above the water!
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© ASR
© Sébastien LAVAL
Rugby
cycling
L’Atlantique Stade Rochelais, a club created in 1898, is one
of the oldest in France The team has 10,000 season ticket
holders, and is now in the top flight of French Rugby –
the top 14. The Stade Marcel Deflandre, is in the heart of
La Rochelle, welcoming up to 15,000 fans for every home
match.
The département and the Charente-Maritime Tourist
Board work tirelessly to put in place, maintain and
promote the European Cycling routes that traverse
the area.
- La Vélodyssée® (the French part of EuroVelo 1,
Roscoff / Hendaye, nearly 160 km in CharenteMaritime) ;
- La Vélofrancette® (Ouistreham / La Rochelle, 45
km in Charente-Maritime, inter-connecting with La
Loire à Loire à Vélo® and La Vélodyssée®) ;
- Le Canal des 2 Mers à Vélo (Royan / Sète, about
60 km in Charente-Maritime, connecting with La
Vélodyssée®) ;
- La Scandibérique (French part of the EuroVelo 3,
30 km to the south of the département, between the
Charente and the Gironde) ;
- La V92 - Les rives de Charente® (Ile d’Aix /
Excideuil, 130 km in Charente-Maritime, connecting
with La Vélodyssée®).
Walking
Thirteen Nature Trails criss-cross the départment,
emphasising the heritage, nature and local history –
thanks to well placed markers along the routes.
© PHOVOIR
To discover : the Chemins de Saint-Jacques de
Compostelle, 125 km in Charente-Maritime.
Golf
© Swingolf 2015
For the swingers (!) Charente-Maritime has ten golf
courses. Technically challenging courses, golf schools,
undulating fairways, unforgettable views over the estuary
of the Charente or the Gironde, or over the islands, Fort
Boyard or the Trousse Chemise... there are so many reasons
to love golf in Charente Maritime.
horse riding
In Charente-Maritime, horse-riders can choose between
gallops on the beaches, rides through the woods and
forests, through vineyards, across the marshes or along the
coast. National and international riding competitions take
place here too, such as the Horse Jumping International in
Royan which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.
Did you know ?
In Charente-Maritime, the waterpolo pool of
Saint-Jean-d’Angely is one of the oldest in France,
created over 70 years ago.
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Facts & figures
sur le tourisme en Charente-Maritime
Area :
y 6,864 square kilometers
y 460 km of coastline
y 4 islands
y 42 pleasure ports
y 10 wellness centres
y 42,201 hectares of Green Venice (Marais Poitevin)
y 14 ‘Pôles-Nature’ natural areas
Population : 630,000 inhabitants
Main cities :
y La Rochelle (74,123 pop.)
y Saintes (25,645 pop.)
y Rochefort (24,698 pop.)
y Royan (17,690 pop.)
Main sector of activity : Tourism :
accounts for 17% of tourism to the Grande Region;
employs 9% of the population;
accounts for over 1.6million euros;
involves 3,500 businesses;
has 659,000 beds which have 33.6 million bed nights.
Other economic areas of importance :
Industry: nautical, aeronautical and farming
Business
Teaching
Main attractions :
1rst department of France for wellness with six
thalassotherapy centres and three thermal resorts.
1rst department of France for disabled facilities
– 317 different places are branded with the ‘Tourism &
Handicap’ label.
There are five UNESCO Heritage Sites :
La Citadelle de Saint-Martin de Ré;
Church of Saint-Pierre d’Aulnay
Royal Abbey of Saint-Jean-d’Angély; the Pilgrimage Hospital
at Pons and the church of Saine-Eutrope de Saintes (on the
Saint-Jacques de Compostella Route).
The Aquarium of La Rochelle and the Zoo of La
Palmyre are two of the top ten provincial tourist attractions
in France. TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards 2015.
The Francofolies is the third most important music
festival in France with 130,000 spectators.
Le Grand Pavois – Top of the 5th most important nautical
show in in the world and most important in France that has
been going for 44 years.
Gastronomy : must taste :
Cognac, an « AOP » or PDO brandy
Charron mussels, tender, fleshy, golden orange and flavoursome
Pineau des Charentes, a fortified wine made from a blend of grape
juice and Cognac brandy
Fleur de sel gourmet sea salt from the Ile de Ré
Butter « Charentes Poitou » « AOP »
Ile de Ré potatoes « AOP », grown in the salty earth of the Île de Ré.
Tourists :
y 85% of tourists are French
y Internationally the British are the largest group, then
Dutch, Belgian, German and Spanish.
y Most are in families or couples (75% of the total)
Average stay : is 7.5 nights
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#charentemaritime
© Charente-Maritime Tourisme – Juin 2016 - Rédaction : Charente-Maritime Tourisme.
Crédits photos : Elsa COEFFE - Alison BOISSARD - Cécile TRIBALLIER - Fotolia.com - Betty DESMIER - J. DAMASE.
www.france-atlantique.com
Charente-Maritime
Press contacts :
Stéphane Morand
[email protected]
Tél. 05 46 31 71 77 - Port. 06 73 69 50 65
Marine Brouard
[email protected]
Tél. 05 46 31 71 41
Marie-Claire Chéné
[email protected]
Tél. 05 46 31 71 88
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Charente-Maritime Tourisme
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Tél. : 33 (0)5 46 31 71 71 • Fax : 33 (0)5 46 31 71 70
E-mail : [email protected] • www.en-charente-maritime.com