Our guide to...
Poitou Charentes
With its bustling harbour towns and its well-kept beaches, Poitou-Charentes makes the most of its fantastic coastal location. On your French gite holiday, you’ll be spoilt for choice when you’re deciding what to do. A visit to the Marais Poitevin is a true once-in-a-lifetime experience, where you’ll spend time amongst a vibrant green marsh that spans three of the four departments of Poitou-Charentes. You can hire a canal boat, or enjoy a punting tour of some of the most beautiful parts of the region.
Poitou-Charentes is Cognac Country, where the famous French spirit is produced. The Atlantic Coast beaches are ideal places to relax, and the region is a favourite with couples, individuals, groups of friends and families who can all find things to do.
The largest comic festival in Europe takes place in the department of Charente, and has made it a popular holiday destination for visitors of all ages. Scheduling your gîte stay to coincide with the Angouleme International Comics Festival will make it a particularly memorable experience. Even if you’re not a fan of comics, you’ll love the vibrant atmosphere when the festival rolls into town. Fortunately, Charente isn’t just a great holiday destination during the festival season. In fact its attractions, ranging from historic abbeys and cathedrals to cognac wine tours, guarantee a great stay at any time of the year.
The iconic oval-shaped Fort Boyard fortress is an instantly recognised symbol for any game show fan, and is situated just off the coast of the department of Charente-Maritime. As its name would suggest, the department includes some of the western coast of France and the off-coast islands of Île d’Aix, Île de Ré, Île Madame and Ile d’Oléron, which can be accessed by boat or by bridge. The islands themselves are top tourist hotspots, with Île de Ré being the most popular of all. The islands have wonderful seafood restaurants, bars and beaches as well as shops to tempt you to spend. If you’re staying in a gîte in Charente-Maritime, then you’ll also want to visit the town of La Rochelle. Whilst the cathedral and natural history museum are two of the best permanent attractions, the Grand Pavois boating festival is an event that you won’t want to miss.
Visitors to Deux-Sèvres should be prepared to appreciate unspoilt natural surroundings. Most of the department is made up of farmland, and it’s name, the two Sèvres, comes from the Sèvre Nantaise and Sèvre Niortaise rivers which begin within the area. Many of the department’s residents enjoy a traditional way of life, raising animals or growing crops on the land. As a result you’ll get to enjoy some interesting vineyard tours, some delicious fresh foods and some great souvenir shopping opportunities where you can buy textile and leather goods as well as unique local crafts. Most people stay in the Deux-Sèvres department for the restful peace and quiet, but if you’re looking for things to do then you’ll find a range of small museums, castles, the occasional golf club and an aquarium to fill your holiday itinerary.
Vienne is best known for Futuroscope – the future and technology-based theme park with water and light shows, thrilling rides and interactive gardens, as well as a hilarious 4D cinema. Its other attractions are equally exciting for families with children, and range from the Valley of the Monkeys (La Vallée des Singes), to the jaw-dropping La Planète des Crocodiles. If you love animals, you’ll settle in quickly. If you don’t, then you’ll be pleased to know that Vienne has even more to offer. UNESCO World Heritage Sites, like the Abbey Church of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe, and the department’s vineyards and markets, cater to an entirely different type of visitor. Somewhere in between the peaceful rural vineyards and the fast-paced thrill rides of Vienne’s top theme park are outdoor activity centres, farm parks, aquariums, dog sled tours and interactive play areas that your family won’t want to miss.
With this region’s fantastic beaches and tourist attractions, it’s no wonder it is a popular destination for self catering holidays. This is reflected in the over 100 gites, cottages, apartments and villas we have listed on GiteSearch. Click the link below to find your ideal family holiday destination.
Areas of Poitou Charentes
Charente
The largest comic festival in Europe takes place in the department of Charente, and has made it a popular holiday destination for visitors of all ages.
Charente Maritime
As its name would suggest, the department includes some of the western coast of France and the off-coast islands of Île d'Aix, Île de Ré, Île Madame and Ile d'Oléron, which can be accessed by boat or by bridge.
Vienne
Vienne is best known for Futuroscope - the future and technology-based theme park with water and light shows, thrilling rides and interactive gardens, as well as a hilarious 4D cinema.
Deux Sevres
Visitors to Deux-Sèvres should be prepared to appreciate unspoilt natural surroundings. Most of the department is made up of farmland, and it's name, the two Sèvres, comes from the Sèvre Nantaise and Sèvre Niortaise rivers which begin within the area. Many of the department's residents enjoy a traditional way of life, raising animals or growing crops on the land.
