Not sure what to do during the autumn half-term holidays? Then you’ve come to the right place! We’ve selected the best activities to enjoy with family, friends or on your own in our beautiful Charente region. Whether you love the sea, are drawn to city architecture or prefer to broaden your general knowledge… don’t worry, there’s something for everyone!
Discover Terra Aventura
Grâce à cette aventure totalement gratuite, vous découvrirez le patrimoine en Charentes tout en résolvant des énigmes sur l’histoire du territoire. L’aventure Terra Aventura n’est pas uniquement pour les enfants. Pour y jouer, rien de plus simple ! Téléchargez l’application, suivez ses indications et c’est parti pour l’aventure ! Profitez ainsi d’une balade au cœur de la ville, à la campagne ou en bord de mer.
Halloween in Charentes
The All Saints’ Day holidays are the perfect opportunity to put on your scariest costume and celebrate Halloween in style! To help you do just that, La Ferme des Marronniers offers a range of activities such as a witch hunt, workshops on making voodoo dolls, plaster painting, decorating magic wands, and more. L’Asinerie du Baudet du Poitou offers a treasure hunt called ‘In Search of the Halloween Donkey’ and an activity called ‘Not Even Scared’. Something to delight young and old alike.
Visit the museums!
For those who feel the cold, head indoors and visit the museums, particularly the Musée des Cordeliers, which traces Citroën’s expeditions to Asia and Africa in the 1920s and 1930s. Activities will also be adapted for children aged 6 and over, such as escape games.
If you are more of a fan of objects from yesteryear, come and discover the Lisette’s Treasure Museum. Tours are tailored to families with various games, riddles and intruders!
Go back in time!
Have you ever dreamed of living in prehistoric times? Make your dream come true at the Paléosite de St Césaire! With large-screen projections, virtual reality, comparative workshops and life-size prehistoric animals, the site has a lot to offer! And if you want to get involved, try your hand at the primitive techniques used by early humans.
More interested in antiquity? Immerse yourself in the Gallo-Roman world at Le Fâ in Barzan. Visit the thermal baths, take part in archaeological digs and enjoy educational and fun activities! Open to young and old alike!
Meet on the coast
Learn how to shuck oysters, discover oyster farming, or cycle through the marshes of the Cité de l’Huître in Charente-Maritime. And for younger visitors, the site offers creative workshops for children.
Put on some sturdy trainers and a windbreaker to climb the 301 steps of the Cordouan lighthouse and admire the exceptional view once you reach the top! To get there, you will need to board a boat at the port of Royan. Remember to book your cruise!
Art and Culture
Now head to Angoulême to visit the Comic Strip Museum. Exhibitions, stories and collections – what better way to enrich your cultural knowledge!
And if you want to stay on the coast while expanding your knowledge, discover the Corderie Royale in Rochefort. The facility offers workshops on spinning, twisting and rope-making, as well as immersive audiovisual shows. So don’t wait any longer, come and discover how ropes are made!
Cognac wine
Come and discover the great Cognac houses that have made the town famous. Whether you choose classic tours or more unusual experiences exploring a Cognac cellar, immerse yourself in the world of Cognac trading houses. We have selected a few Cognac houses for you:
– Le Baron Otard: located in the imposing château overlooking the Charente, its thick walls and damp cellars provide the ideal conditions for ageing its eaux-de-vie.
– Camus: the only 100% family-owned cognac house; take part in an intimate tour and workshop to create your own cognac.
– Courvoisier Cognac: a more modern building set against an imposing château on the banks of the Charente River. Choose between a classic or premium tour.
– Hennessy: discover 250 years of history of this dynasty
Hiking
On the Charente coast, you will find more than 50 marked walking trails covering 150 km of hiking paths. So now is the time to breathe in the sea air and enjoy the natural landscape that this region has to offer. Go at your own pace, whether it’s a short stroll or a strenuous hike, these trails are open to everyone!
The Royan region also offers cycling and mountain biking trails. You will also find the Vélodyssée, an internationally renowned cycle path that passes through La Tremblade, Ronce-les-Bains, and Royan.
