Western France: Poitou-Charentes

Region at a glance

Major city: Poitiers, La Rochelle

100 miles of Atlantic coastline

Port cities and islands

Cognac vineyards

Marais Poitevin - marshes known as the "Green Venice"

On the Atlantic coast, between the châteaux of the Loire Valley and the Bordeaux vineyards, lies Poitou-Charentes, one of the sunniest parts of the French western coast. Its mild climate - 2,250 hours of sunshine per year - makes it desirable to visit anytime from early spring to late autumn. A 300-mile coastline with fine sandy beaches, backed by fragrant pine forests, lively resorts such as La Rochelle, Royan and the islands of Oléron, Aix and Ré provide attractions to tempt everyone.

Inland, the scene is one of serenity, with vast horizons and wooded valleys, the Poitou fens and Marais Poitevin, the soothing tranquillity of canals, the valley of Vienne, the foothills of Charente and the world-famous Cognac vineyards.

The Futuroscope theme park near Poitiers offers visitors a glimpse into future technology and media.

Places of interest

Angoulême

Town set on a hill-top surrounded by ramparts, Tour Lusignan, the Cathedral

Aulnay

Dampierre Renaissance château

Chatellerault

Important commercial center

Cognac

The most celebrated "eau de vie" in the world, cellars, Valois Castle

Futuroscope

(Near Poitiers) Futuristic theme park dedicated to computerized technology and robots

Montmorillon

Unique octagonal ossuary, medieval bridge, famous its macaroons

Niort

Museum, Notre-Dame church, botanical garden

Oléron

(Island) - Access by 2 mile- long viaduct, château Boyardille, military port established by Napoléon

Poitiers

Palais de Justice, St. Jean Baptistry, Notre-Dame-la-Grande romanesque church, Ste. Croix Museum, old city

Ré

(Island) - Reached by ferry, fishing, boating, oysters and St. Martin Citadel constructed by Vauban

La Rochelle

Major port and commercial center, "Porte de la Grosse Horloge" (clock gate), St. Sauveur Church, Tower of St. Nicholas, "Hotel de la Bourse", "Musée du Nouveau Monde" (Museum of the New World)

Royan

One of the largest seaside resorts of France, Notre-Dame church, beaches

Saintes

Germanicus Arch 19 A.D., "Abbaye aux Dames", Mestreau Museum, Fine Art Museum, St. Eutrope church and crypt.

St. Savin

17th century abbey, mural painting.

Technical tourism and sports

Angoulême's National Center for cartoons and comic strips.

Handicrafts: Pottery, embroidery, lace making, basket weaving

Barging on the Charente River. Horse-back riding, sailing, house-boating, cycling.

Cuisine

In Poitou-Charentes, eating is always a feast with fish from the sea and shellfish such as the renowned Marennes-Oléron oysters, also freshwater-fish: eel, trout and pike. Other mouth-watering local recipes make the most of prime meat and wild fowl, and there are fine butter and cheeses. Also popular are Cognac, the Pineau des Charentes (an aperitif of grape juice and Cognac), and the light fruity wines from Haut-Poitou, Deux-Sèvres and Charente.