Résidence Sous Les Pins

As if watersports and biking weren’t already enough for active types, there are even more ways to explore this part of the world within easy reach: nab a berth on one of the boat tours from La Tremblade or Royan, see it all from the air with an afternoon’s paragliding, or test heads for heights on two adventure parks' rope courses, all within 10 minutes’ drive. Take a step back in time in the museum at the Coubre lighthouse, then stay there with a trip to the 12th century at Château Fort de Saint Jean d’Angle (20 minutes away) – where dressing up and playing along is all part of the experience – and a wander around the cliffside cave dwellings at Matata a little further afield. Return to the present with a visit to the resort town of Royan, half an hour from base, to poke around museums and markets, challenge Lady Luck at the casino and splash around at the beach before evenings spent whirling around rides and watching fireworks at Luna Park amusements 10 minutes from base. For urban days, the museums, aquarium, stately piles and Old Quarter of La Rochelle port city are just under an hour away.