For a bucket and spade holiday with a generous dash of sophistication the Atlantic coast in Charente Maritime can’t be beaten.

Royan has several superb beaches protected from the wind and backed by pine forests. It was rebuilt in the 50s after wartime damage and while fishing boats still cluster the port the yachts in the marina easily outnumber them. Nearby resorts include Meschers, St Georges-de-Didonne with a two kilometre stretch of beach, and St Palais sur Mer. For great views from the sea take the boat trip to the Cordouan lighthouse. Lying in the mouth of the Gironde the beaches are largely protected.

Ile de Ré Bridge

Star of the coast is undoubtedly the port of La Rochelle with its roots firmly anchored in the sea and seafaring. It is a real picture postcard place. The old port forms the focus of the town. A great deal of the town is pedestrianised and it gets crowded during the peak season. But despite it being a favourite holiday destination for decades, it has not lost its charm.

The old harbour is the largest yachting centre on the local coast and is framed by the two towers of La Chaîne and St-Nicholas - making an entrance by boat remains the best way to arrive.

Ile de Ré Restaurant

Behind the waterfront, between the harbour and the Place de Verdun, is the centre of things. The main artery is the Rue du Palais, full of arcades with shops and houses, their slate roofs joining in a long tail of distinctive interlocking semi-circular patterns, making them look like fish scales. The street is a visual assault on the eye with a stretch of grand houses decorated by ornate flourishes of colonnaded fronts, turrets and tiny galleries.

A new marina development, the Port des Minimes lies two kilometres outside the town centre accessible by water bus. It makes for an enjoyable afternoon or evening visit, with several maritime museums and a former weather ship.

	La Rochelle

The three kilometre toll bridge from La Rochelle heads out to the Ile de Ré. The island is a beautiful holiday destination. Only 28 km long it barely reaches out of the sea with sandy beaches on the south side, churches with painted spires and tiny, low storey, white washed houses. La Couarde has particularly fine sand, a beachball's throw from the narrow lanes decorated with flowers.

Rochefort was built in the 1660s as a military base. Its 17th century two storey royal ropeworks (Corderie Royale) is impressive for its sheer size and houses a museum. Parts of the town seemed to have changed little in 300 years.

The ancient town of Saintes is still an important market centre with a monthly fair. There are remains of the Roman baths and to the north west the amphitheatre. Medieval architecture is all around and the local archaeology museum charts the town's history.

And of course for any seafood lover the Ile d'Oléron is France's oyster centre. The warm water is ideal for the beds where the precious oysters grow bringing a huge influx of wealth. For Christmas and New Year festivities, huge quantities are dispersed across France.