Attractions around the Poitou Charentes
Although this unspoilt part of south-west France, in the Poitou Charentes, which is now part of the new super region Nouvelle Aquitaine, is an ideal location for relaxation, there are still plenty of local attractions to be found for all the family near our holiday gites. With it’s quite lanes winding through vineyards, coastal sands and islands making it listed in the Lonely Planet, the Poitou Charentes is where the French go on holiday. It’s calmer than the Mediterranean coast and thus more suited to a family holiday. This is where the pace slows right down and the chance to taste the real France starts.
Outdoor Activities
A great day out can be enjoyed at the Vallée des Singes (Valley of the Monkeys). Worth visiting are the National Zoodysee Park in the Forest of Chizé, Mouton Village and the Chateau des Enigmes.
Kayak and canoe trips are available locally on the picturesque Boutonne and Charente rivers. The Marais Poitevin, a marshland area of great natural beauty, boasts a labyrinth of waterways that can be explored by punt or canoe.
Theme Parks
Futuroscope, an exciting day out for older children, is situated near the cultural and historic town of Poitiers. Puy du Fou, the medieval theme park in the Vendee, offers an entertaining day out. While Terra Botanica them park is of botanical interest for the family near Angers.
The Atlantic Coast & Beaches
A variety of sandy beaches can be found on the islands of Ré, Oléron and Aix, and at the seaside resorts of Royan, Châtelaillon, St Georges de Didonne and St Palais sur Mer. The ancient walled seaport at La Rochelle has the largest marina on the Atlantic coast, with many bars and restaurants, and a superb aquarium.
Cycling in the Countryside
The Poitou Charentes region has something to offer most cyclists. One can take a cycling tour through beautiful traditional French villages or make a quick trip to the boulangerie from our holiday gites for your patisserie needs. The countryside is gentle, creating a patchwork of fields from bright sunflowers to rows of vines, interspersed with classic châteaux. The Charente, Vienne and Sèvres rivers run through the region making the area ideal for a riverside bike ride with visits to local bistros, restaurants and cafés for traditional food and French atmosphere.
The Poitou Charentes is the second ‘sunniest’ region in France with very low rainfall and mild climate and thus you can enjoy cycling without having to worry about bad weather! At our holiday gites we have a selection of bicycles for client use, but should you find these insufficient we can recommend Bike Hire Direct for free delivery and collection of extra bikes along with all the safety equipment, which can be organised in advance of your holiday.
Historic Towns to visit
Visit the beautiful and historic towns of Saintes, Jarnac and Cognac on the River Charente, and the medieval town of St. Jean d’Angély, with its old cobbled streets and a superb indoor swimming complex with slides (Atlantys).
While in the area of Saintes why not visit the 18th century Chateau de La Roche Courbon with its spectacular gardens, parks, caves and history. Recent ecological advances have led to the opening an ecomusee in the Cognac area. Time can be spent here enjoying the age old traditions of fermentation of cognac and the making of the local aperitif ‘Pineau des Charentes’. Angoulême is a must for those with an artistic flair, as it is the centre for comics and cartoons. In September it also hosts the ‘Circuit des Remparts’ race, for motoring enthusiasts, through the old hilly streets. For those interested in more recent history, there is the Second World War Memorial at Oradour-sur-Glane, for a poignant day out within a 90 minute car journey towards Limoges and its famous porcelain. Whilst in the Limousin region why not spend some time visiting the museum of miniature villages, planes, trains and figurines all in 1/32 scale?
Nearby Golf Courses
France has not traditionally been well known for golf but the sport is rapidly gaining popularity and many courses are opening up in the Poitou Charentes. Golf is a sport ideally suited to holiday makers to our region who either enjoy a stroll across the greens and a visit to the ‘19th’ or taking it seriously on a links course. Visitors to our holiday homes may well want to either look at a course local to us or indeed some of the local rules that apply. The nearest golf courses to our gites, along with other in the Poitou Charentes region, are listed here.
Spring here in the Deux Sèvres tends to arrive a little earlier than in the UK and the Autumns are extended, so have a look at our competitive out of season and easy transport links for a possible great deal.
Whether you posses a good handicap and want to find a full 18-hole golf course or are just a beginner and want some ‘pitch and putt’ fun on holiday, why not give it a go?
At the end of the day try sampling the local wine and produce for which the region is famous: Pineau des Charentes (a popular chilled apéritif), the deliciously sweet Charentaise melon, oysters and mussels from the Marennes Oleron, fois gras, escargots and a variety of goats’ cheeses.
Les Hiboux is the perfect spot from which to explore the many family and historical attractions, or simply enjoy the pleasures of walking, cycling and taking a picnic. There is so much here for everyone.
Enjoy a memorable holiday!
