Three superb lighthouses (phares) to visit on the Charente-Maritime coast:
 
- The 'Phare des Baleines' at the tip of the Ile de Ré,
- The 'phare de Chassiron' on the Ile d'Oléron,
- The 'phare de Cordouan' out in the Gironde estuary.

The Cordouan lighthouse is classified as a historical monument and is without doubt one of the most beautiful lighthouses in France. A ferryboat will take you out and leave you on the sandbank at the foot of the monument when the tide goes out.

Other lighthouses on the Charentes littoral:

- La Coubre,
- Chauveau,
-The l'île d'Aix lighthouse alignment
-The feux du chenal de La Rochelle lighthouse alignment