La Petite-Lighthouse Area Guide
Outside Areas of Natural Beauty
La Petite Lighthouse is surrounded by areas of Natural Beauty. It is a quiet rural destination, a place for lovers of nature, who enjoy the peace and tranquillity, the pure essence of lazing around on a summer's day without loud entertainment and attractions. Walking through the vineyards, along the marais tracks and soaking up the quietness is what La Petite Lighthouse is all about.
Just five minutes from the house, this tranquil little port is the perfect place for a walk. Also pass by the excellent fish shop to buy freshly caught fish for the BBQ or pop into the Marais snack bar for an aperro or simple meal.
À cinq minutes de la maison, ce petit port tranquille est l'endroit idéal pour une promenade. Passez également par l'excellente poissonnerie pour acheter du poisson fraîchement pêché pour le barbecue ou faites un saut au snack-bar du Marais pour un apéritif ou un repas simple.
9 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
Port Maubert
Just five minutes from the house, this tranquil little port is the perfect place for a walk. Also pass by the excellent fish shop to buy freshly caught fish for the BBQ or pop into the Marais snack bar for an aperro or simple meal.
À cinq minutes de la maison, ce petit port tranquille est l'endroit idéal pour une promenade. Passez également par l'excellente poissonnerie pour acheter du poisson fraîchement pêché pour le barbecue ou faites un saut au snack-bar du Marais pour un apéritif ou un repas simple.
The Tour de Beaumont is the famous local landmark seen from the house. There is a lovely walk down the track, through the vineyards and up to the landmark. The views are spectacular from the top and you can even look back at the house. There is a picnic table at the top but equally stroll back and enjoy the view from our terrace.
La Tour de Beaumont est le célèbre point de repère local vu de la maison. Il y a une belle promenade le long du chemin, à travers les vignobles et jusqu'au point de repère. Les vues sont spectaculaires depuis le sommet et vous pouvez même regarder la maison en arrière. Il y a une table de pique-nique au sommet, mais vous pouvez également vous promener et profiter de la vue depuis notre terrasse.
Tour de Beaumont
The Tour de Beaumont is the famous local landmark seen from the house. There is a lovely walk down the track, through the vineyards and up to the landmark. The views are spectacular from the top and you can even look back at the house. There is a picnic table at the top but equally stroll back and enjoy the view from our terrace.
La Tour de Beaumont est le célèbre point de repère local vu de la maison. Il y a une belle promenade le long du chemin, à travers les vignobles et jusqu'au point de repère. Les vues sont spectaculaires depuis le sommet et vous pouvez même regarder la maison en arrière. Il y a une table de pique-nique au sommet, mais vous pouvez également vous promener et profiter de la vue depuis notre terrasse.
Vitrezay is part of the Échappées Nature network, which brings together 50,000 hectares of fragile natural areas that are exceptional in terms of their flora and fauna, their landscapes, but also their history and that of the men and women who have developed them. As the network's site house, Vitrezay offers you a unique experience on a preserved site on the banks of Europe's largest estuary, the Gironde.
Port de Vitrezay, 17150 Saint-Sorlin-de-Conac, Frankrijk
Vitrezay is part of the Échappées Nature network, which brings together 50,000 hectares of fragile natural areas that are exceptional in terms of their flora and fauna, their landscapes, but also their history and that of the men and women who have developed them. As the network's site house, Vitrezay offers you a unique experience on a preserved site on the banks of Europe's largest estuary, the Gironde.
This is a tiny little Port with a few summer cabins. Its tucked away on the marais road, but a great little spot to relax by the river bank, and walk along the tracks.
Rte de la Grange d'Allouet, 17150 Saint-Thomas-de-Conac, Frankrijk
This is a tiny little Port with a few summer cabins. Its tucked away on the marais road, but a great little spot to relax by the river bank, and walk along the tracks.
Food scene
For a quiet off the tourist scene location, our area has surprisingly a lot to offer. There are plenty of small markets in the villages, with a new bio market at the weekend in Mortagne. You will find seafood, locally made cheese, fruit and veg, and of course wine and pineau.
On the restaurant scene, you can dine at a fairly high gastro level at Le Cheval Blanc, Domain du Seudre, & Le Presbytère. There are lots of options for Pizza ( Chez Lou, Chez Feu Feu, Le Patio), and in summer there are plenty of casual out door eating areas and 'snack' restaurants.
This is an excellent modern gastro-bistro restaurant and bar serving fusion food made with local produce. The menu changes daily dependent on the market produce; fresh fish, seafood, game, organic meat, cheeses. Enjoy excellent wines, delicious desserts, plat du jour and the perfect friendly service from the host and hostess.
Il s'agit d'un excellent restaurant gastro-bistro moderne et d'un bar servant une cuisine fusion à base de produits locaux. Le menu change tous les jours en fonction des produits du marché. Profitez d'excellents vins, de délicieux desserts, d'un plat du jour et du service amical parfait de l'hôte et de l'hôtesse.
7 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
Le Cheval Blanc
11 Av. de la RépubliqueThis is an excellent modern gastro-bistro restaurant and bar serving fusion food made with local produce. The menu changes daily dependent on the market produce; fresh fish, seafood, game, organic meat, cheeses. Enjoy excellent wines, delicious desserts, plat du jour and the perfect friendly service from the host and hostess.
Il s'agit d'un excellent restaurant gastro-bistro moderne et d'un bar servant une cuisine fusion à base de produits locaux. Le menu change tous les jours en fonction des produits du marché. Profitez d'excellents vins, de délicieux desserts, d'un plat du jour et du service amical parfait de l'hôte et de l'hôtesse.
Nice French Bistro Style restaurant in the heart of St Dizant du Gua. Daily menus and a la carte dining.
La Forge
Nice French Bistro Style restaurant in the heart of St Dizant du Gua. Daily menus and a la carte dining.
Nice little casual restaurant/snack place serving crepes, salads and bruschetta. Expect a relaxed service and friendly atmosphere.
LA DAUGATERIE
179 Rte de Port MaubertNice little casual restaurant/snack place serving crepes, salads and bruschetta. Expect a relaxed service and friendly atmosphere.
A favourite with the local crowd for their relaxed dining, friendly atmosphere and occasional live music nights throughout summer. Enjoy freshly cooked burgers, steak and seafood.
Snack Du Marais
A favourite with the local crowd for their relaxed dining, friendly atmosphere and occasional live music nights throughout summer. Enjoy freshly cooked burgers, steak and seafood.
Award winning pizzas just outside St Fort sur Gironde. A favourite with the locals with either dine in or take away.
Chez Lou
Award winning pizzas just outside St Fort sur Gironde. A favourite with the locals with either dine in or take away.
Chez Feu Feu's famous pizzas with a lot of toppings, plus their other ample dishes like lamb chops, entrecote etc. If your are hungry this is the place to be.
Pizzeria chez Feu Feu
Chez Feu Feu's famous pizzas with a lot of toppings, plus their other ample dishes like lamb chops, entrecote etc. If your are hungry this is the place to be.
This is a popular place right next to the quay side of Mortagne sur Gironde. Buy rotisserie chicken from one vendor, fresh seafood from another, and local wine. Shared outdoor seating or picnic tables next to the port.
La Cabane Bio
4 Dom. de la GravelleThis is a popular place right next to the quay side of Mortagne sur Gironde. Buy rotisserie chicken from one vendor, fresh seafood from another, and local wine. Shared outdoor seating or picnic tables next to the port.
Fantastic little fish shop in Port Maubert selling freshly caught fish and seafood, plus an array of canned fish products. They also have a market stall at the Saturday St Fort market. Highly recommended.
Port Maubert
Fantastic little fish shop in Port Maubert selling freshly caught fish and seafood, plus an array of canned fish products. They also have a market stall at the Saturday St Fort market. Highly recommended.
Literally 5 minutes walk down the road to the hamlet of Civrac you will find Domaine Mounier. Walk up to the distillery and ring the bell for a insight to Charentaise Wines and Pinot. You can also call for a tour and tasting. In our welcome pack at La Petite Lighthouse we give you a bottle of his Rose. Pass by and try his Pinot and excellent Sparking Wine.
Domaine Mounier
Literally 5 minutes walk down the road to the hamlet of Civrac you will find Domaine Mounier. Walk up to the distillery and ring the bell for a insight to Charentaise Wines and Pinot. You can also call for a tour and tasting. In our welcome pack at La Petite Lighthouse we give you a bottle of his Rose. Pass by and try his Pinot and excellent Sparking Wine.
At the very end of Port Maubert you will find this seasonal outdoor BIO dining snack restaurant. Sit under the trees by the quayside and enjoy their locally produced BIO Burger, veggie options and their excellent salt marsh lamb.
Reeser Str. 106, 46446 Emmerich am Rhein, Duitsland
At the very end of Port Maubert you will find this seasonal outdoor BIO dining snack restaurant. Sit under the trees by the quayside and enjoy their locally produced BIO Burger, veggie options and their excellent salt marsh lamb.
Neighbourhoods
Mortagne-sur-Gironde
Saint-Georges-de-Didonne
Our little village. Just 10 minutes down the road from the hamlet Civrac you will find St Fort. There is a Co-Op shop, saturday market with oysters, seafood, vegetables, meat, pate, cheese etc. Tabac shop, Boulangerie & Pharmacy.
SAINT FORT SUR GIRONDE TC
Our little village. Just 10 minutes down the road from the hamlet Civrac you will find St Fort. There is a Co-Op shop, saturday market with oysters, seafood, vegetables, meat, pate, cheese etc. Tabac shop, Boulangerie & Pharmacy.
Things to do
Most of the activities in the area are outdoor activities. There are plenty of outdoor cycle tracks with well marked routes and of course walking tracks. Just down the road at Port Maubert there is our sailing school offering daily excursions throughout summer. You will also find Pinot and Wine tasting.
This local sailing school offers daily sailing excursions on the Gironde. Dependant on tide times, there is nothing nicer than a sunset cruise. You can also have lessons for sailing.
Sailing School De Port Maubert
54 Rue des PêcheursThis local sailing school offers daily sailing excursions on the Gironde. Dependant on tide times, there is nothing nicer than a sunset cruise. You can also have lessons for sailing.
If you feel like being pampered and are looking for some indoor entertainment then Les Antilles is the place. Heated naturally by the thermal springs this large pool complex, has a wave machine, swimming pool indoors & outdoors, flowing river pool with jets, sauna, jacuzzi, steam room and gym. Expect it to be busy in summer.
120 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
Les Antilles de Jonzac
24 Zone d'aménagement concerté du Val de SeugneIf you feel like being pampered and are looking for some indoor entertainment then Les Antilles is the place. Heated naturally by the thermal springs this large pool complex, has a wave machine, swimming pool indoors & outdoors, flowing river pool with jets, sauna, jacuzzi, steam room and gym. Expect it to be busy in summer.
During the summer months Jonzac has a lively night market, with live music, lots of food and drink stalls plus handicrafts. Check the summer guide for dates and times.
11 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
Jonzac station
During the summer months Jonzac has a lively night market, with live music, lots of food and drink stalls plus handicrafts. Check the summer guide for dates and times.
Mirambeau Piscine. This is an 'old fashioned' Lido outdoor swimming pool, but if you want to cool off and enjoy lap swimming or just lazing pool side its a nice spot. Check the timetable for opening times.
Piscine
Mirambeau Piscine. This is an 'old fashioned' Lido outdoor swimming pool, but if you want to cool off and enjoy lap swimming or just lazing pool side its a nice spot. Check the timetable for opening times.
Reizigersadvies
Vervoersmogelijkheden
Le Bac (Car & Passenger Ferry) Royan to Le Verdon (Medoc)
This is an excellent service for getting across the Gironde rather than driving all the way around, if you are travelling onwards from Charente Maritime. However WARNING do not consider crossing on the weekend in high season or expect at least a 3 hour wait in a queue moving at a snails pace. It is incredibly slow and once you are in the queue it is difficult to exit.
Cultuur en gebruiken
Dogs on Beaches
Unfortunately most of the beaches in the Charente Maritime do not allow dogs on the beaches in the high season. Dogs are permitted on a leash from 15 September to 15 June. So please don't disappoint yourself and your dog with a 45 minute car journey only to find you are not allowed. If your dog wants to have a dip, pop down to Port Maubert or Vitrezey where there are slipways into the water.
Vervoersmogelijkheden
Driving and Traffic
As with all tourist destinations the roads get very busy in summer, especially when they are rural single lane roads with 80 km/per hour. Save yourself the headache and stay local. What is normally a 40 min drive to Royan can be upto an hour. Bordeaux and La Rochelle in summer are also super busy with expected traffic jams, so always add an extra 40mins to your expected journey and check local traffic reports.
Wat je moet meenemen
Self Catering
As AirBnB is a self catering holiday, think about what you will need. This is a rural location and the closest supermarket is about 20 mins drive from the house. Stock up to avoid daily trips shopping. If you forget something there is the Co-Op in St Fort & Mortagne, the Epicerie at St Dizant du Gua, plus Bakeries and Butchers in Mortagne, St Ceirs du Taillon & St Fort.