Camping de Baignes

Up for some aquatic activity? Pack your swimmers for outings to the lakes in Brossac (20 minutes’ drive) – one has soft sands for sunbathing and calm water for peaceful paddles and swims, while the other’s dedicated to more action-packed pursuits including jetskiing and screaming down the waterslide. There are more waterslides to wend your way down at Les Antilles de Jonzac (20 minutes), along with a spa and sauna for grownups to sneak off to; and, although you can’t jump in, you should certainly set out to see the incredible bright waters of the blue ponds in Touvérac (five minutes). If you’re looking to get out into the wild, set off to see the creatures that live at Upper Saintonge Safari Park (15 minutes). For something more cultured, aim for the troglodyte church in Aubeterre-sur-Dronne (40 minutes), Château de Chalais (half an hour) or the historic streets of Angoulême (40 minutes).