The bus, which was travelling from the Ile d`Oleron to Surgeres, collided with a truck, according to a statement from local authorities.
It comes one day after a bus crash in eastern France killed two children.
A boy aged 12 and a girl of 15 died on Wednesday when the driver lost control in snowy conditions near Montflovin in the department of Doubs.
As well as the six children killed in Thursday`s crash, two people have been taken to hospital.
According to regional news site France Bleu, the tailboard of the truck became separated and hit the bus carrying the children.
French President Francois Hollande tweeted about his emotion at hearing of Thursday`s accident, and sent his condolences to the bereaved.
Emergency plans had been triggered and ministers Segolene Royal and Najat Vallaud-Belkacem were travelling to the scene, Mr Hollande`s office said.
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