With sandy beaches, pine forests, and a fine crop of churches and museums, the Poitou-Charente area is a holiday haven. This region gets an almost Mediterranean amount of sunshine, and there’s plenty to inspire you to enjoy the great outdoors. Birdwatching, fishing, cycling, rambling and horse-riding are just a few of the activities on offer here, and as this region is bordered by the Atlantic, there’s often a good breeze, making it ideal for sailing and other watersports.
Poitiers, the regional capital, is a city whose picturesque streets are steeped in history. Don’t miss the church of
Notre Dame la Grande - this 11th century building is the oldest Romanesque style church in Europe. Just outside Poitiers is the
Futuroscope, a popular science and technology theme park which offers a fun and informative day out with the family.
In
La Rochelle, famous among UK schoolchildren thanks to the Tricolore textbooks, the
Old Harbour of La Rochelle is a pleasant place to explore. Stroll along the old city walls, and stop off at one of the many seafood restaurants around the harbour. Sailing is big in this area, and the wide, sandy beaches are popular with holidaymakers.
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Poitou-Charente Guide