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In the heart of the Midi-Atlantic, Charente-Maritime is a radiant paradise in the South West of France. Between its endless coastline, its archipelago of seductive islands and its cities of prodigious past, this department will surprise you.
Mandatory step when visiting the Charente-Maritime : La Rochelle, capital of the department, is a port city that is more than a millennium old. Indeed, the Roman foundations found in the city testify to its distant origins. The main monument of the municipality remains however the Old Port, medieval construction of defense visible from a distance thanks to its two huge towers watching the entrance to the port. On summer evenings, the neighborhood lights up, the harbor docks come alive, and the place becomes full of magic that attracts visitors. This charm of yesteryear is found in all the corners of La Rochelle, from the former fishermen's quarter to the market area where holidaymakers linger to discover the flavors of the soil.
In the vicinity of the Rochelle coast, the Île de Ré is a jewel of the Charentais archipelago. This island with golden beaches has been inhabited since antiquity, at which time it was undoubtedly attached to the continent. Since 1988, it is connected to the Atlantic coast by the Pont de l'Île de Ré, second bridge of France in size. During the Middle Ages, the Cistercian monks came to settle there and developed the trade of salt, the motor activity of the island. The remains of the Abbey of the Chateliers, founded in the 12th century, are still visible today near one of the oldest villages of Ré, La Flotte. Its urban heritage also underwent a major evolution in the 17th century, when the Sun King decided to build fortifications around the capital, Saint-Martin-de-Ré, to protect it from the English. Vauban, the famous royal engineer, will take care of this monumental construction in the form of a star. It will never endure any attack from our British neighbors but remains a valuable architectural treasure inscribed on the world heritage of UNESCO. Ré is also a rich and varied gastronomy. The queen of seafood to enjoy on the island is the oyster. Raised by the oyster farmers, they are a must for seafood lovers. Another surprising dish is the rice potato, distinguished from its sisters by its sweet flesh, obtained by a harvest before maturity.
Another must-see stop : Rochefort, a town that owes its origin to the creation of a maritime arsenal in 1666. Today, it pays tribute to its maritime maritime past at the Musée de la Marine in the Cheusses hotel. A former mansion of the 17th century, this building was later used as a residence for the Commandants of the Navy. Also find a splendid reconstruction of the Hermione, the frigate that transported La Fayette when he went to join the American insurgents !
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