With bountiful seas and rich agricultural land in spades, Vendée and Charente are two regions that have loads to offer even the pickiest foodie. With seafood to sample and some of the best rustic French cookery out there, the choice on offer is almost as impressive as the cooking itself. Don’t believe us? Check out the best foodie experiences in Vendée & Charente below, and if you need a place to stay our luxury chateaux in France are the ideal place to put your feet up after a day’s fine dining.
Do you know your balti from your bhuna, madras from masala? Brush up on your Indian cooking skills during a workshop with Chef Reza Mahammad, the man behind the long-standing and well-respected London restaurant, the Star of India. Mahammad himself will lead the class, which takes place in a converted cognac distillery that now functions as a cookery school. Under his direction and guidance, participants will whip up a delicious three-course Indian meal, which they will then have the pleasure of eating.
This fish-and-chips specialists makes use of Vendée’s bounty of fresh seafood to serve up steaming portions of that beloved British seaside staple: fish and chips. They serve locally sourced battered hake – so fresh it’s only just stopped wriggling – from a van by the quayside, so you can tuck in to the piping hot portion as you look out over the water. It’s not hard to find, but if you do get lost, just follow the mouth-watering smell wafting from the van.
Price: €€
Location: La roulotte Quai Franqueville 85100 Les Sables d’Olonne
It would be a shame to leave southwest France without sampling the unsung wines of the Fiefs Vendéens appellation. One of the best-known vineyards in the area is Domaine Saint-Nicolas, who produce outstanding organic, biodynamic vintages. Sip a few samples at their Brem-sur-Mer estate or at their L’Ile-d’Olonne winery, before purchasing a bottle of two to be savoured with friends and family back in the villa.
This contemporary bistro has a reputation for serving up excellent value French classics, such as coquilles St-Jacques (scallops) and entrecôte de bœuf with a choice of three pepper, butter or blue cheese sauce. If the weather allows for it, sit out on the terrace where plants and greenery create a garden-style feel.
Price: ££
Location: 117 bd. Aristide Briand 85000 La Roche sur Yon
Les Flots sits prettily on La Rochelle’s ancient port – a fantastic setting surely envied by all the other restaurateurs in town. The tasteful décor is an attractive blend of old and new, with traditional features, such as an old fireplace, complemented by more modern furnishings. Seafood is the order of the day here, and the menu features all kinds of varieties, from oysters, whelks and crab to cooked Brittany lobster and fresh sole.
This two Michelin-star restaurant is worth splurging on. Located in a rustic yet chic restored manor house with whitewashed walls and ceiling rafters, this restaurant enjoys a historic setting on a site where the Royalists and Republicans clashed during the War in the Vendée. The menu, which changes regularly depending on the season and availability of produce, is always inventive and – unlike other overly haughty dining establishments – kids are very much welcome here. There is even a special menu designed to appeal to developing palates, perfect for young foodies in the making.
Price: £££
Location: Château de la Chabotterie, 85260 Saint-Sulpice-le-Verdon, France
The rough-hewn stone walls and light wood ceiling beams add to the cosy, intimate ambiance at this highly rated restaurant. It’s frequently selected by critics and diners as the finest restaurant in Angoulême. A meal here, which might include dishes such as pan fried foie gras, lobster with lemongrass and sweetbread with truffles and seasonal vegetables, is always a memorable experience.
Price: €€
Location:6 Rue Des Trois Notre-Dame 16000 Angouleme.
Eschewing the current trend for rustic chic, this fine-dining restaurant located on the island of Noirmoutier, opts instead for a more modern and mostly monochrome décor. The fishing harbour is just a stone’s throw away from its door, so naturally seafood features strongly on the menu, while vegetables from the restaurant’s own garden also make an appearance. This is Michelin-star dining and is priced accordingly; should you want a more affordable sampling of Chef Alexandre Couillon’s food, visit his La Table d’Elise bistro next door.
Price: Set Menus starting from €68
Location: 5 Rue Marie Lemonnier 85330 Noirmoutier en ile
If you fancy yourself a bit of a budding cognac connoisseur, you’ll know that cognac is, much like champagne, regulated by stringent laws that say it can only be made in the Charente and Charente-Maritime regions. While you’re here, you can visit some of these famous producers, such as the family-owned Camus distillery. During a Camus workshop, you’ll learn about the history of the double-distilled grape-based drink (which is known in France as ‘eau du vie’ – literally ‘water of life’) as well as tasting it for yourself. You might even bring a bottle back to the villa for after-dinner drinks.
Price: ££
Location: 29 rue Marguerite de Navarre 16100 Cognac
No doubt you’ve heard of Hennessy, Remy Martin and Courvoisier, but there is no better place to discover lesser-known cognac brands than at their home here in Charente. Hine, for instance, is one of the oldest houses in the region. It was founded in 1763 and is known for producing extremely refined and elegant blends. This is a boutique distillery and tours here are an intimate and enlightening affair. They are by appointment only so be sure to call and arrange in advance.
Price: €€
Location: 16 Quai de l’Orangerie, 16200 Jarnac
Book: Call +33 5 45 35 59 59
HINE Cognac – Wine/Spirits
If you’re feeling tempted with the thought of all that deliciousness, why not let our friendly concierge team help find you the perfect place to stay? Just let them know what you’re looking for and they’ll do all the legwork for you! Check out other posts too, which is full of handy travel tips and holiday inspiration. So if this hasn’t got your stomach rumbling, there’s more foodie experiences that you can scroll through. You can also find our pick of the best family friendly activities in Vendée & Charente, and if you’re travelling with friends we’ve even listed best things to do in Vendée & Charente.
Previous
Tuscany Travel Guide
Next
Best Foodie Experiences in Normandy
Popular Articles
The 10 Best Beaches in Cyprus
Cyprus has beaches for almost every kind of holiday, from soft, pale sands and shallow family bays to turtle-nesting shores, watersports hubs, and quiet coves beneath cliffs. Better still, the island makes it easy to combine time beside the sea with ancient ruins, mountain villages, and lunches in coastal tavernas. The best beaches in Cyprus […]
The 10 Best Beaches in Mykonos
Mykonos may be known for its whitewashed lanes, late-night parties, and famous beach clubs, but its coastline has more range than the headlines suggest. Long sandy bays curve around the south of the island, while the north coast feels wilder, more exposed to the Aegean wind. The best beaches in Mykonos cover almost every mood. […]
10 Best Villas in Ibiza
The fabled ‘White Island’ is a place of many faces. On the one hand, Ibiza is renowned as a prime clubbing destination with a vibrant nightlife that’s a magnet for partygoers. But there’s more to the island than exclusive clubs and dancing ’til dawn! Further inland, you’ll find there’s a much more laid-back atmosphere among […]
Top 10 Family-Friendly Villas in the South of France
Whether you’ve got tiny tots or teens along for the ride, a holiday in the South of France is sure to prove one your family never forgets. There are plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained, including boat rides and bicycle hire, plus sumptuous food and wine (adults only!) to enjoy after a day spent […]
Top 10 Quirkiest Chateaux in France
We love a bit of quirkiness – that’s what’s fun about this collection, all these villas and chateaux have been handpicked for their style and character. Our range of luxury chateaux and villas in France includes some of the most stylish and memorable holiday homes you can find, and that’s saying something…! Whether you’re looking […]
Top 10 Brittany Beaches
When we think of beaches in France, our minds naturally wander to the South of France – sometimes, it’s easy to overlook the beauty of Western France’s coastline, particularly the well-known surf mecca of Brittany. Wild and rugged, with some beautifully unspoilt coves, the scenic coastline of Brittany stretches for more than 1,000 miles. It […]
Top 5 Places to Visit in Northern France
Northern France is often overlooked when planning a French getaway, while Southern France consistently remains a popular choice for family holidays and romantic retreats. However, here at Oliver’s Travels, we know the wonders of Northern France and everything it has to offer! From exquisite beaches and beautiful vineyards to towns dripping in culture and the birthplace […]
Best Things To Do in Normandy
Got a group of travel-hungry friends together and thinking of visiting Normandy? You’ve made the right choice – it’s a region ripe with things to do. From exploring the varied and dramatic coastlines to fantastic foodie experiences that’ll tickle your curiosity as much as your tastebuds, we’ve found some of the best things to do […]
Top Chateaux in the Loire Valley
The Loire Valley is steeped in history and home to beautiful countryside, filled with remarkable villas and chateaux at every turn. Travellers of all ages can enjoy the region’s many charms, with abundant sporting activities, cultural sites, and sleepy towns to explore. We’ve picked our top 10 chateaux in the Loire Valley so you get […]
The 10 Best Beaches in the South of France
The beaches in the South of France are popular for a reason – it’s one of the most luxurious destinations out there! From the star-studded glam of Cannes and St Tropez to the luscious landscape of the rural interior, visitors never take long to catch on; after all, relaxation is pretty high on the agenda here. […]
The 10 Most Inviting Villas With Swimming Pools in France
There’s no denying we Brits crave a little warmth and sunshine. After all, English weather is known for its unpredictability at the best times (it’s either raining for weeks or life as we know it comes to a halt during the mid-summer heatwave, there’s no happy medium). So when it’s time for our holidays, we […]
The Best Villas in the Dordogne
If you want to experience one of the most beautiful places in the world, there’s only one thing for it – head to one of our villas in the Dordogne. There’s a reason (in fact, there are loads) that the British and the French fought over it right until the end of the Hundred Years […]
Top 10 Quirky Chateaux in Southern France
Looking to live the dream at one of our characterful chateaux in Southern France? Covering luxurious Languedoc, dazzling Dordogne and the romantic Riviera, we’ve got premium properties to suit every style preference in the world’s most glamorous region. However, with so many to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why we’ve […]
