The whole family had a wonderful time at La Palmyre Zoo, with its wide variety of animals spread across a beautiful park. Now it's time to explore the zoo's surroundings! From Ile d'Oléron to Jonzac, via Fort Boyard, there's plenty to see and do. Let's get away from it all, between nature, ocean and walks, with our 10 ideas for visits around La Palmyre zoo. They'll make your getaway even more unforgettable!
1. What to do around La Palmyre Zoo? Visit La Rochelle and its aquarium
We couldn't visit the area around La Palmyre zoo without passing through La Rochelle, about an hour away (80 km). We spent a weekend there, starting at the Old Port, dominated by the medieval towers of Saint-Nicolas and de la Chaîne. From there, we set off to stroll under the arcades of the old town, between little boutiques and half-timbered houses: charming as can be!
Activities to book : Book your guided boat trip to Fort Boyard from La Rochelle here!
And of course, La Rochelle's must-see aquarium. Did you know that this is one of the finest aquariums in France? With its 12,000 marine specimens, the whole family was in awe! Would you rather enjoy a moment of peace and quiet? We recommend the Parc Charruyer, with its lovely shady paths.
The article to read: What to do in La Rochelle The 12 must-sees in 2025
2. Stroll through Rochefort, where history comes to life
In Rochefort (about 50 minutes for about 40 km), we quickly realized that history is in the air! Our adventure began at the Arsenal des Mers, where the children climbed the masts like real gabiers. Next door, we explored one of Rochefort's must-see attractions, the 374-meter-long Corderie Royale. Awe-inspiring! Then it's on to the Musée des Commerces d'Autrefois: three floors of retro objects, stores and reconstructed schools. A real favorite! Finally, for a gentle finish, follow our footsteps towards the marina, for a short break in front of the sailboats rocked by the wind..
The article to read: Tips and tricks for planning your day at La Palmyre Zoo in 2025
3. What to do around La Palmyre Zoo? Give in to the charm of Jonzac
Jonzac can be reached in around an hour from La Palmyre zoo, one of France's most beautiful animal parks. The silhouette of its medieval castle inevitably caught our curious eye. Let's go for a guided tour! Afterwards, our stroll through the cool lanes of the old town led us to some charming spots, such as the Carmes district. Here, heritage rhymes with a gentle way of life: just perfect! We also couldn't resist a peaceful stroll on the water, guided by an enthusiastic boat builder, before heading to the Halles to sample local specialties: pineau, cognac, Palm cakes... a real treat!
Petit Futé Tip: if you're visiting Jonzac with children, we invite you to download the Terra Aventura app. This way, you can discover the town's heritage as a family... and have fun doing it!
4. Take a cruise to Fort Boyard
Departing from La Rochelle, you can treat yourself to a sea excursion to Fort Boyard. Rest assured, there are no tigers in sight! Our children couldn't wait to catch a glimpse of the famous fortress from their favorite TV show. There really is something fascinating about this stone vessel, lost between the islands of Aix and Oléron. You can't get inside, but seeing it up close is magical enough! On the boat, we learned a few anecdotes, the history of the fort, its secrets... and, of course, some chilling legends... As an added bonus, everyone made a stopover on the island of Aix, between peace and nature. In short, a day truly out of time!
To book: Book your guided boat trip to Fort Boyard from La Rochelle here!
5. Relax on the Ile d'Aix
It takes about an hour and a half to get from La Palmyre zoo to the Ile d'Aix. And it's well worth it! There are no cars here, just the sound of the wind, birdsong and lapping water. As good nature lovers as we are, we enjoyed the experience.
Embark on a unique adventure combining the discovery of the legendary Fort Boyard and a complete tour of the Ile d'Aix by booking right here.
The walk, between white houses with colored shutters and hollyhocks in bloom, revealed a real postcard setting! Nature-wise, the island is a patchwork of beaches, forests, vineyards and wild creeks. And for the curious, there are a number of unmissable sights on the island of Aix, including the Napoleon Museum, Fort Liédot and the Maison de la Nacre. Special mention must be made of this visit "under the sea"... bluffing!
Good to know: like many of the local islands, the Ile d'Aix can be visited... without a car. How refreshing!
6. What to do around La Palmyre zoo? Recharge your batteries on the Ile d'Oléron
The island d'Oléron is only 55 minutes from La Palmyre zoo (about 45 km). As soon as we arrived, we could breathe easier! The light is unique, the landscapes are ever-changing, and the long sandy beaches beckon. How can we resist them? First stop: Saint-Trojan-les-Bains, where the forest meets the ocean. Further north, the Marais aux Oiseaux (Birds' Marsh ) was a real treat for the children: storks, herons, paths on stilts... a real nature experience, just the way we like it! Finally, we finished on a high note with one of the must-sees on the island of Oleron: the Chassiron lighthouse and its breathtaking view. In short: a day to remember!
To book: Discover the emblematic Fort Boyard and the coastline of Ile d'Aix on board a boat by booking this 1-hour guided cruise departing from Ile d'Oléron.
7. Escape to the island of Ré
Just outside La Rochelle, about an hour and a half from La Palmyre zoo, we visited île de Réone of our favorites. Our discovery began at the tip of the island, at Saint-Clément-des-Baleines. A visit to the lighthouse was a must! From its 60-metre height, the view of the ocean and beaches is simply breathtaking.
After an oyster tasting, we headed off to the Lilleau des Niges Reserve for a stroll among the birds. With our binoculars, we tried to spot a few... not always successfully, but it was great fun! We might as well warn you: the bike has become our best ally for exploring the island at our own pace, with our hair blowing in the wind. From villages to salt marshes, the scenery never lets up. We particularly loved La Flotte and its pretty port, as well as the remains of the Châteliers abbey, full of mystery. As a bonus, the kids even got to take part in a treasure hunt at Fort la Prée !
Read the article: What to do and see on the Ile de Ré? The 11 must-sees in 2025
8. Dive into the past in Saintes
To the east of La Palmyre zoo (45-minute drive for around 50 km), we discovered Saintes, an ancient Gallo-Roman city full of charm. Our first stop was the ancient amphitheatre: the children immediately imagined themselves in a gladiatorial arena, which we still remember fondly! The tour continued with two must-sees in Saintes: the Abbaye aux Dames and the majestic Saint-Pierre cathedral, for a little trip back in time.
Good to know for an unusual touch to your visit, try a "visit'active". This is a workshop led by a local craftsman on a variety of themes, including food, animal husbandry and construction.
9. What to do around La Palmyre Zoo? Family visits to Royan
The beautiful town of Royan is just 16 km south of the zoo (about 20 minutes). That's all it took for us to hit the road! We set off for a day of architecture, nature and the seaside. We began our visit with the Notre-Dame church. Imposing, all concrete, it leaves no one indifferent! In fact, the children compared it to a spaceship... and we confess to having seen it as a set for a fantasy series.
One of our fondest memories remains our leisurely stroll along the coastal path, past the Belle Époque villas of Pontaillac. The peaceful atmosphere was a real delight! If you're lucky enough to stay for two days, we invite you to spend a day at Planet Exotica. It's one of Royan's must-see family attractions, and the kids will love it!
10. Visit the Château de la Roche-Courbon
It takes around 50 minutes to reach the Château de la Roche-Courbon from La Palmyre zoo (47 km). Sometimes nicknamed "Sleeping Beauty's castle", it reveals itself through its perfectly designed paths, formal gardens, large pool and swans on the move... a real postcard! As we were visiting as a family, we took the time to discover the ancient games, before visiting the Museum of Prehistory. The highlight? The guided tour of the château, with its Louis XVI salon and incredible painting cabinet. As a bonus, we followed a trail through the forest, tracing the lives of our ancestors.
Good to know: at the entrance to the estate, you'll find a fine restaurant, the Relais de Romette, open from April to September.
As you can see, there's plenty to do in the Charente-Maritime region and around La Palmyre zoo! If you're lucky enough to live in the area or spend a week or two on vacation, you'll also find some beautiful beaches. The area is magnificent and well worth your time. Between beaches, nature and cultural visits, it's impossible to get bored!
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