Where To | Eat, Drink, Shop in the Vendee Charente Region

MARKETS

Angouleme: Les Halles d’Angoulême is just down Rue du General de Gaulle from the Hôtel de Ville where a fresh food market is held most mornings selling local produce, regional cheeses and much more.

Marennes-Oléron has numerous buzzing markets located either in the malls or on the streets. More than simply a place to shop for fresh groceries, the market is a wonderful opportunity to meet people and get insights on local life. The stalls are full of high quality goods and the sellers are always a good source of information if you are wondering how to cook a particular fish or vegetable you have never tasted before. In Oléron colourful markets take place every morning. In Marennes, (on the continent), the market is Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, in and around the mall where a vast number of local producers set up stalls everyday in July and August.

Angouleme: Just opposite Les Halles you will be spoilt for choice with pavements cafes where you can spend your time ‘people watching’ alongside the French café set.  If you want lunch or dinner you will find a wide choice of restaurants on the streets leading from the Place des Halles including Rue Massillon, Rue de Geneve and at Place Francis Louvel.

Atlantic coast seafood markets are plentiful. 

Eating out is one of life’s great pleasures, and there are a wealth of restaurants catering for all tastes (and budgets). Among others:

Les Sables-d’Olonne eateries:

“Le Bistrot du Port” (7, Quai Emmanuel Garnier. Tel. 02 51 21 55 45)

and “La Bonne Fourchette. (20 Quai George V. Tel.02 51 95 11 52).

A trip across the harbour to La Chaume is recommended, however it may be easier to catch the ferry across the harbour rather than walk around.