Poitou-Charentes Holiday Guide

Poitou-Charentes Holiday Guide

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A superb holiday spot for all

Poitou-Charentes has a short but lovely stretch of Atlantic coast, which includes the idyllic islands of Ré, Oléron and Aix. Inland, the historic cities of Poitiers and Angouleme await your exploration, while many smaller towns and villages have lovely architecture and atmosphere. There are a great number of family-friendly activities and attractions to be found in Poitou-Charentes, making it a superb holiday spot for those with children in tow.

Top 5 things to see and do in Poitou-Charentes

1. Seaside resorts and islands

Seaside resorts such as Royan and La Rochelle are perfect for seaside holidays. The beaches, the warm waters, a great sunshine record and plenty of tourist facilities and activities mean that seaside holidays in the Charente-Maritime are as near to perfect as it gets.

Poitou-Charentes also has some gorgeous islands to visit, or even on which to stay. The Ile de Ré and the Ile d'Oléron both lie just off the mainland coast and are both beautiful and full of things to enjoy. The tiny Ile d'Aix is another well worth a look, with its unspoilt beauty and history that includes having been the abode of Napoleon Bonaparte for a while.

2. Visit the Cognac vineyards

The famous brandy, Cognac, is made in the region, and vineyard tours and tastings are a very popular activity for those holidaying in the Charente department.

3. La Vallée des Singes

It might not be the first thing you think of when working out your holiday agenda, but a day spent at the lovely Monkey Park (La Vallée des Singes) near Poitiers is a day you will never forget. Here the monkeys live in large, natural areas, swinging through the trees above your head and behaving as nature intended. Signs and notice boards keep you well informed about the various different species, and the café and shop allow a little relaxation before you leave.

4. Futuroscope

Near Poitiers, Futuroscope is a state-of-the-art, multimedia theme park. There is plenty to keep both adults and children entertained. The architecture is futuristic too, with buildings made in the shape of prisms, and spheres and crystals made out of glass and steel.

5. Discover the Marais Poitevin

The Marais Poitevin is a unique land of waterways and marshes that is often referred to as the Green Venice of the Poitou-Charentes. Take a boat trip to discover this unusual environment in the Deux-Sèvres department.

Top 5 towns and cities in Poitou-Charentes

1. Poitiers

Poitiers, capital city of Poitou-Charentes, is found in the east of the region. Easily accessed from the UK, having an airport served by budget airline Ryanair and a TGV station too, Poitiers is a deeply popular tourist destination. There is something to enjoy in the city for all age groups, with heritage and culture in spades, great shopping and dining and the excellent educational theme park of Futuroscope, making it easy to keep the younger members of the family entertained.

2. La Rochelle

The port city of La Rochelle, in the Charente-Maritime, is a fabulous place to base a holiday. Bustling and colourful, La Rochelle combines all the charm of an ancient heritage city with the carefree fun of the seaside. The beautiful old port, with its distinctive towers guarding the entrance is an iconic image of the Poitou-Charentes's coast.

3. Montmorillon

Montmorillon is one of those rather special towns that continue a French tradition of dedicating themselves to a particular profession - in this case, the book industry. The town is lovely to see in itself, but it is this aspect which makes it so fascinating to visit. Everywhere you will find book shops and related crafts, and if you are in town in June on a year that ends in an even number, you will be able to enjoy a superb book fair.

4. Angouleme

The capital city of the Charente department is Angouleme. It's a city with great heritage to present, and the old ramparts, cathedral, charming old streets and houses make it a worthy owner of the title of "City of Art and History". It has another claim to fame, however, as it is the city of the comic book - capital of the French cartoon industry! Visit the museum dedicated to this to find out why comic books and cartoons are so beloved of the French.

5. Cognac

The name of the town of Cognac is, of course, world famous as the name of the superb brandy that is made there. Visit the town to enjoy tours of the vineyards and great Cognac houses, but also to enjoy the rich architectural heritage and delightful riverside setting.

Food and drink in Poitou-Charentes

Poitou-Charentes is a region which encompasses a lovely piece of the Atlantic coast, and is therefore blessed with fabulous fish and shellfish. The region is especially noted for oysters and mussels. Inland, the gastronomic goodies continue to come, in the form of Cognac brandy and the hybrid Pineau (a blend of wine and Cognac), goats' cheeses, sunflower oil and speciality dishes like Torteau Fromage cheesecake and Farci Poitevin paté.

How to get there

Another of the many good reasons to make Poitou-Charentes your destination of choice is the ease of access from the UK. The airports of La Rochelle (Flybe, Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2), Poitiers (Ryanair) and Limoges (Flybe, Ryanair) in the Limousin, the TGV stations of the same cities (also of Angouleme) and the excellent road networks that lead to the region from Paris or the northern ferry ports, all help to make getting to Poitou-Charentes an easy and pleasant part of your holiday.

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