Gastronomy and the French way of life
Excellent restaurants serving local seafood specialities are available within 30 mins drive. The seaside resorts have a large number of fish restaurants with a good range of prices with the dishes all prepared with fresh local produce.
Pineau is a local aperitif which is made in many local villages and the producers have tastings (degustation) on their premises. The Cognac distilleries are very popular for visitors and encourage you to visit to see how the Cognac is produced. Most have English language tours, some including a boat or miniature train trip.
The local villages have bread shops (artisan boulangeries) with a range of different types of bread well worth trying - not just the common baguette - and some have a patisserie and chocolatiere. The local markets are well worth a visit (e.g. Aulnay on Sunday morning for oysters, fresh bread, fruit, vegetables and olives.) - and when you want a change from food and drink -why not join the French people on Sunday mornings through the season at a Brocante (French car boot sale) which always has absolutely fascinating objects to bargain over?
