Charente-Maritime: everything is prettier at night

In the heart of summer, Charente-Maritime reveals its treasures, with exceptional visits, gastronomy, and contemplation... at night. What if we waited until evening to explore the region?

This summer, in Saintes, the Bouche d'or and One Again Production theater companies are hosting the "Saintes, Belle de Nuit" tour, in partnership with the city's art and history department. After a one-and-a-half-hour nighttime stroll, the Martineau house can be seen in a new light. "One of the rare places steeped in Art Nouveau in Saintes," describes Maud Gradaive, mediator at the Saintes City of Art and History Department.

The stained-glass windows of the former Martineau residence, now the municipal library, illuminate its garden at night. In 1928, bibliophile Maurice Martineau donated his collection—10,000 documents from Saintes and Saintonge—as well as his mansion to the city of Saintes, in order to establish the municipal library there.

There may only be about twenty of them, but they have a real charm, these fishing huts installed on the northern coast of Fouras and clearly visible along a walking path. While during the day, you have to share the path with families, cyclists, and dog owners, at nightfall, the walk is perfect for enjoying the last light and its changing reflections. This Wednesday, August 20, the ^11th edition of the Route des Carrelets will set up its spotlights on Rue de Courtineurs - Pointe du Cadoret. From the afternoon, a few cabins will be exceptionally open to visitors. The real show takes place from 9:30 p.m. to midnight, when the sun sets to illuminate a path, lined with a new scenography and lighting of the fishing huts.

For ten months of the year, Thursday nights are synonymous with student parties. But come summer, they transform into life-size history lessons and are dedicated to the famous night patrols. While some will continue to enjoy La Rochelle's impressive number of bars— 14 per 10,000 inhabitants in 2017 —others will opt for a quieter outing: a tour of the city by the light of a mysterious watchman's lantern.

For over 30 years, these walks have immersed the curious in the dark and troubled times of the maritime city. But beware: at night, all cats are gray, and losing your guide could quickly turn history into a treasure hunt. Wear sturdy shoes: this 2.5-hour tour requires a certain amount of walking comfort.

Since 2012, the Brouage en Costume Passion association has organized Nuits Buissonnières every summer: a series of open-air theatrical performances, performed in the very streets where history was written. Inspired by real events, this walk invites visitors to discover Brouage's little-known past, combining great history with everyday stories.

Yesterday, Brouage lived to the rhythm of saltworks. The voices of merchants echoed off the cobblestones, ships from Quebec anchored in the port, laden with cod, and the imposing ramparts made the town a strong and strategic coastal location. Today, sailors and soldiers have disappeared, but their presence persists in the stones, the alleys, and the memories engraved in the walls. During an evening stroll, the fortified city reconnects with the ^18th century, considered the height of its history.

Local oysters and the perfect white wine. This is the delicious program for the evening outings in Mornac-sur-Seudre, organized by the association L'Huître pédagogique. The third and final evening takes place on Wednesday, August 13 at 8 p.m. The outing begins with a walk, at dusk, from the port of Mornac to the salt hut of Téger. The opportunity to enjoy the twilight landscape of the marshes on the paths that lead to the hut made of reeds and wood. Upon arrival, a tasting of local specialties is offered to the group, limited to 20 people. This convivial moment is enhanced by stories and tales about the salt and oyster heritage of the Mornac marshes. "Raph," quartermaster singer, will accompany the evening with sea shanties.

Have you ever listened in the evening to the sounds of the bird species that surround you in nature? The Bird Marsh offers a 3 km night walk on Mondays during the summer, lasting approximately 2.5 hours, to appreciate the wildlife. Loïc Mimaud, a marsh guide, leads the tours. "We invite groups of up to 25 people to listen, observe, and recognize the different species present on the site."

During these walks, the guide points out that you can spot species such as the black-crowned night heron, the European nightjar, and the tawny owl, among many others. Monday, August 11, will be the last visit of the season. "In total, we've offered five since July," explains Loïc Mimaud. The price for this activity is 7 euros for adults and 5 for minors, with reservation required. Perhaps you too will be lucky enough to spot the site's birds, such as nocturnal raptors.