Camping La Maison Seule

There’s a lot to do around Camping La Maison Seule. Local cycling and walking routes cut through the rural landscapes of the Haute-Saintonge region, following almost-empty country lanes and marked cycling trails through local vineyards (cyclists and backpackers are welcome on site too, by the way). Lake Baron-Desqueyroux (20 minutes’ drive) sits in scented pine forest and is a hub for walking trails, waterside picnic spots, canoeing and swimming in summer. The Charente-Maritime is known for its vineyards producing cognac and the fortified aperitif Pineau des Charentes; if you’d like to sample a few bottles and buy some to take home with you, you have several options, including Maison Daviaud (20 minutes, watch out for vintage car rallies too) and the grand wine estate at Château d’Orignac (35 minutes). When you have kids with you, keep them happy with a day at Les Antilles de Jonzac (15 minutes’ drive), a tropical-themed waterpark with wave pools, waterslides and lazy rivers; you can sneak in a bit of relaxation for yourself in the thermal pools and hot tubs. You can also spend active family days climbing trees and whizzing down zipwires at La Double Aventure (20 minutes).