Travel to Poitou-Charentes

Overview

Poitou-Charentes

"On a farm in Poitou, a cock loved a clock" sang Claude Nougaro. It is true that this area has everything it takes to turn heads, or even drive some crazy. This isn't necessarily due to the Pineau or Cognac (which, as everyone knows, should be consumed with moderation) but to the wealth of the region on so many accounts.
First there is the coastline, to which holidaymakers flock come summer. The small and charming Ile de Ré sees its streets, its ports and its beaches crammed by both celebrities and tourists as soon as the weather turns warm. Less popular with high society, Ile d'Oléron, the region's other island, is highly frequented by mainlanders in search of beaches and seafood platters (including, in particular, the famous Marenne oysters).
The fine sand and coastal cities of Charente-Maritime, like La Rochelle and its old port, or Royan, the famous seaside resort of the 'Coast of Beauty', often make tourists forget all other destinations. However, if the east coast is the sapphire of the region, its interior is a set of emeralds. Obviously, the central stone of this necklace is 'Venice Verte' (Green Venice). This very unique part of the Poitevin Marsh offers visitors rides over duckweed-covered canals steered by a boatman, enabling them to discover for themselves the grandeur of what many painters have depicted on their canvasses.
The region is also a paradise for those who love history and architecture. There are no less than a thousand Roman churches at its heart, not to mention countless castles, forts and prehistoric sites. The panorama of Poitou-Charentes would not be complete without one of its famous cities, Poitiers. This city's history can be discovered by wandering around its streets and visiting its 78 monuments, while its modern side can be seen in its park dedicated to images and new technologies, Futuroscope.