A site for the Owners Club is at http://www.amicale-charmettes.com This hasn't been very active recently for various reasons but  there's a bulletin board and hopefully it will improve over time.

In March 1780, La Fayette sailed on a frigate called Hermione.  For some years  this superb boat is being reconstructed with the materials and the tools of the 18th Century. http://www.hermione.com/anglais/default.htm Once built the boat will sail out of Rochefort and on to America. Estimate 2010 and keep your eyes open.
 This is a nice half day trip. Park in the centre of the town, visit the tourist information and do the Hermione first then the maze for the children then the  Corderie Royal then there's an exclusive cafe in the grounds for lunch or several more just outside.

Constructed in 1666 by order of Louis XIV, this was the biggest factory of rope of Europe for warships. Within a magnificent garden, the corderie evokes today the rich past from some faraway maritime expeditions. . http://freinet.org/creactif/stsimon/corderie.htm (non-official site)

The Zoo of La Palmyre, with 1600 animals is now the most important zoological park of France and one of the most passionate of Europe. The zoo of La Palmyre is an attraction that welcomes every year more than 800,000 visitors. There are lots of shows including Sea lions (Otaries) and parrots. Take lots of sun cream. Start early and you'll be done by 2pm in time for a dip in the sea. http://www.zoo-palmyre.fr/

Before becoming the setting of a televised game, Fort Boyard was a castle to protect the island of Aix, and a jail.  Today this building constructed in the middle of the sea is declared historic monument. You can take a boat trip from various places on the Ile d'Oleron to Fort Boyard. Plan ahead - the trips get booked up quickly. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Boyard  You may be able to book at reception.

You will find other information on places to visit. http://www.charente-maritime.org

The Fort du Chapus, or Fort Louvois, lies just off the headland of Bourcfranc Chapus. It can easily be visited at the modest fee of 2 Euros by walking along a causeway at low tide or the shuttle boat at high tide. Beside the fort visit, there a small museum of oyster-culture which is the main fishing activity in this area.

http://www.fortified-places.com/chapus.html

The new aquarium of La Rochelle is going to take you in the depths of the ocean to make you discover its marvels. You will cross a tropical greenhouse and you will admire the sharks in their pool that spreads on several floors. http://www.aquarium-larochelle.com/  La Rochelle itself is a very nice old town with collonnades and old streets. Also lots of very nice restaurants. Near the vieux port is a tapas bar which we recommend. Also boat trips available. It's a full day visit.

Based near Marennes less than 10km from Les Charmettes is this fantastic resource. Go early and you can eat your lunch her after spending a couple of hours finding out about the world of the oyster. Follow signs through Marennes, past the Gendarmerie and there's a car park and a free bus to take you to the end of the channel where the visit starts. Loads of videos to watch (in english), Shop, resto and even more stuff half way back. Great morning out. Includes 2 free oysters. http://www.cite-huitre.com/

www.futuroscope.com/eng/index.php is situated near Poitiers, it combines latest cinematic developments with the entertainment and fun of a theme park. there are a dozen or so main attractions comprising some of the largest cinema screens in the world (seven stories high), 3-d special effects, flight simulators, cinema seats on hydraulic pedestals, all around cinema with picture that extends underneath you, 360degree cinema screens, huge curved screens etc. These all show spectacular 20 minute films on various topics. There are also educational areas showing the history of cinema, and numerous restaurants and cafés. There are a number of smaller attractions also which include pedalos, fun mirrors, slides etc. Be warned though queues in peak holiday periods are massive, best to do this outside main French holiday periods. Costs approximately £15 per adult.

 (www.la-venise-verte.com/english.htm) is the canal system the Vendée is famous for. There are numerous places where small rowing boats can be hired (with or without guides). Maps are provided and you can navigate round canal systems to set routes. The canals range from 20m wide to narrow stretches barely wide enough for the boat. All the canals are completely covered with a very distinctive weed giving them the appearance of flat green land, hence the 'Venise Vert' name. At Maillezais there is also a restaurant, souvenir shop and crazy golf course. A fun day out, though beware, boat hire is more expensive than you would expect. Start early then take a lunch after your boat trip.

Puy de Fou

 (www.puydufou.com/UK) is well worth a visit, by day there is a theme park which includes mediaeval jousting, villages with traditional crafts and actors dressed in the period of the day. The highlight is a twice daily display of falconry. The display is held in an amphitheatre with hawks, falcons and eagles swooping over the crowd and collecting food from the falconers who are dressed in traditional costume. This includes every bird of prey you have ever imagined including some enormous vultures. Great fun and highly professional ! By night during the summer Puy de Fou is renowned for holding France's foremost Son et Lumière spectacle. This is a re-enactment of the dress history in full costume by night and includes battle scenes, village life and laser special effects set around a castle and lake. It includes a cast of hundreds of locals and is carried out on Friday and Saturday nights. Every show is sold out in the height of summer, but tickets can be booked in advance. There is also an English translation available on cassette. If you wish to go to the evening event and get the translation this can be booked in advance by credit card.