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Sibylle & Michel
Campsite Managers
Born in Toulouse, Sibylle and Michel fell in love with Saintonge, especially the town of Saint-Jean d’Angély. With recommended spots to discover and friendly advice, the two managers of the “Val de Boutonne” campsite offer us an authentic and spontaneous look at their destination to explore, as well as Charente-Maritime.
As ambassadors of your region, what would you first recommend to a camper who has just arrived?
I’m bound to be a bit biased and tell you our story… Coming from Toulouse, knowing only the coast of Charente-Maritime, Royan and La Rochelle, we “fell in love” with Saint-Jean d’Angély and never left. For our very first time here, we started from the body of water near the campsite and the beauty of its reflections to walk up to the town center. Walking along the old and majestic residences of former wine and Cognac merchants along the Boutonne, we took “the lovers’ path” then the Puycheran path to reach the historic center. You arrive via the Cordeliers Museum, and immediately after, the city’s history unfolds before you with its famous Royal Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Delving into the old town, you discover the Place du Pilori, the clock tower, and its medieval and Renaissance-style houses. In just an hour, it’s a journey through time, through the ages. Even the Art Deco style is present thanks to the old cinema “L’Eden”, freshly restored as a performance hall.
Then we quickly discovered a beautiful hinterland with its stones, its vineyards, its waters, its colors, its lights. From Saint-Savinien-sur-Charente with its riverbanks, its mini-port and its superb church, to Aulnay-de-Saintonge and its church also classified by UNESCO. The heart of Saintonge beckons you to explore other regions.
During your outings, are there one or two places you particularly enjoy?
I enjoyed discovering the cycle route “les rives de Boutonne” which passes at the foot of the campsite and takes us east to Dampierre-sur-Boutonne, 30 km further. The ride is easy and accessible to all levels. The campsite also offers the route and bike rental. The ride is shaded in places, passing through small Charentais villages, typical hamlets, with the added bonus of beautiful landscapes and the discovery of small rural heritage: washhouses, wells, churches, traditional farmhouses. Upon arriving in Dampierre-sur-Boutonne, a visit to the castle and its gardens is a must!
Finally, there’s another outing, this time on the water, that enchanted me. It’s the “fil de Boutonne”. It’s a canoe excursion from the Saint-Jean d’Angély Kayak Club base. You discover the town in a different light, more intimately. You can also enjoy it at night with the “au fil de lune” excursion. This offers another perspective on the river, with its deceptive resemblance to the Poitevin Marsh.
“We “fell in love” with Saint-Jean d’Angély and never left”
Gastronomy, places, crafts… do you have any particular favorites to share with us?
Saint-Jean d’Angély’s Saturday morning market is brimming with local products featuring the flavors of Charente-Maritime. You’ll find oysters, fresh fish caught on our Atlantic coast, as well as farm and local products: dairy and cheese, organic products… In summer, the Charentais melon is a must, not to mention Charentais wines, pineaux, cognac, and local beers. After the market, we recommend enjoying a beer at another couple with the same name as ours (a funny coincidence, isn’t it?) who run the Thiefine brewery in Breuil-la-Réorte. Their anti-food waste policy really appeals to us. They welcome you for tours or tastings at the brewery, but you can also find them at local markets or festivals and… on our campsite’s shelves!
One last tip for food lovers: go taste the ‘bois cassés’, a sugar-based specialty found only in Saint-Jean d’Angély. La Rosière confectionery is the only one still making them – a mandatory stop!
Are there other places you enjoy in Charente-Maritime?
Other sites? There are many! Charente-Maritime is so rich in discoveries that I don’t know where my preference lies! I love the large beaches of the Côte Sauvage which lead us to Royan and its “fifties” architecture mixed with old villas. A detour to Saint-Palais-sur-Mer and its customs officers’ path is ideal for walking enthusiasts who want to get a big breath of sea air and freedom. We also enjoy strolling around the citadel of Brouage. It’s a leap into history, and souvenir lovers will adore the small artisan shops. I also won’t forget Saintes and Cognac, where your steps will lead you into town centers with sumptuous historic architecture along the Charente. Not far away, you can treat your taste buds with local pineau or cognac producers.
Some of the photos featured in this article were taken by Sibylle and Michel from Val de Boutonne campsite in Saint-Jean d’Angély
