Touring in Poitou-Charentes A little known quilt in the tapestry that is France, Poitou-Charentes is a perfect vacation destination.
The weather is hot without being stifling; the region is pleasing to the eye; the dining is varied and delicious and there are attractions for all interests.
The region’s capital, La Rochelle is a busy port town with lots of history, and is famous for its old harbour and its three outstanding medieval towers. With its cafés and clubs, this is an energetic town any time of the year, especially during the summer with an international film festival and in mid-July, the nation's top musical event, Les Francofolies.
Other tastes are catered to like ballet, jazz, museums, natural history and art. There is an Autumn Auto Rally, and an international marathon in November.
Marais Poitevin – Green Venice: This maze of canals is all man-made, built by monks in the Middle Ages. You can hire a boat to explore, and visit the picturesque towns of Coulon, Arcais and La Garette. If the waterways don’t attract you, you can travel the winding back roads on bicycle, by horse drawn caravan or by pony. | Attractions in Poitou-Charentes For a different experience, visit the Futuroscope - a fantastic theme park which presents cutting edge technology in a futuristic setting. 3D simulators and the 'magic carpet' cinema makes you feel like you are flying!
Angouleme is the home of a very different kind of museum. The Centre National de la Bande Dessinee et de l'Image presents the history of French print and film cartoons over the ages.
Oleron is France’s second largest island, with great beaches at Vert Bois and Grande Plage. The Marais Poitevin, known as the Venice Verte or “Green Venice”, is crisscrossed by a maze of canals, which visitors can explore in flat-bottomed boats that leave from Coulon, on the River Sèvre.
If you want to escape the mainland, visit the three offshore islands, each with its own unique atmosphere. Take the 18 mile road bridge across to Re, a large island completely encircled by fine and mostly sandy beaches. Or take a trip to the smallest inhabited island off the coast France - Ile d’Aix. There are no roads on this island resulting in a peaceful atmosphere where you can relax away from the stresses of normal life. It’s hard to imagine that the island was once home to a prison. Between this island and the much larger Ile d’Oleron is Fort Boyard, an island fortress from the early 19th century. |
 Poitou-Charentes Wine & FoodFertile land and abundant seas provide mouth watering combinations such as:
• Oysters on the half shell with a drop of lemon juice or vinaigrette
• Mussels in a tangy sauce
• Snails for the adventurous – loaded with local butter and garlic
• Beef, lamb and ham – raised locally and renowned for flavour
Local produce and vegetables are always of the highest quality. Local butter even has a quality guarantee! Melons are sweet and juicy, while “mojettes” (haricots) are crisp and tasty.
A fine selection of wines is also available from the local vineyards: whites, reds and rosés. Saumur is probably the best known, but don’t be afraid to experiment.
This is the home of Cognac, and there are several “crus” and famous labels to taste. The most visited locations are Otard and Hennessy, where you can witness the fine art of Cognac making and the secret of blending.
Try Pineau des Charentes for a different taste. A blend of local grape juice and cognac, this delightful beverage comes as red, white and rosé.
Thank you for taking the time to learn more with the Poitou-Charentes Tourist Information Guide. Seaside: Capture the sun on the beaches on Re. Take a boat to Ile d'Aix to experience a relaxing side of France. Watch for Fort Boyard, a very unexpected stone fortress rising from the ocean. Make your way inland via La Rochelle Harbour. Mainland: Home of great beverages, most notably the Cognac. Enjoy a fabulous cognac tasting in Otard, and make sure you stop into the vineyards in Poitou-Charentes to awaken your tastebuds. And have it all at your fingertips by staying in a rental villa in La Rochelle, the region's capital. |
