A holiday in Poitou - Charentes is very popular due to the many possibilities for entertainment. You can walk and cycle in the beautiful nature, go to a recreational lake, visit tourist villages, and enjoy the lively terraces. Visiting the Atlantic coast for a day or a trip to a large city such as Poitiers or Niort, it is all possible.
Because of the variation in the region, the mild climate and the not too large differences in altitude, this region is very suitable for hikers. There are several hiking trails through this area: over the hills, through the farmlands and through the forests.
The Poitou-Charentes is popular among cyclists. While cycling you will experience the varied nature and you will pass nice villages with historic buildings and cozy terraces. Over 1,000 km of cycle paths have been created where both the average cyclist and a mountain biker can enjoy a beautiful ride through the Poitou-Charentes.
You can find more tourist places on our page with tourist tips.
The capital of the Poitou - Charentes region is Poitiers. This city is known as a cozy old city which has not yet been flooded by mass tourism. Poitiers has a beautiful and authentic center with beautiful churches, atmospheric streets where you can shop, cozy terraces to enjoy the French delicacies but also old buildings and an interesting history. The history of this city is partly related to the well-known pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. Poitiers is a stop on this route and has therefore developed into a regional religious center. The most important monument of the city is the "Notre-Dame la Grande".
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Towards the Atlantic coast you’ll find the large marshland "Marais Poitevin". In this oasis of peace there are canals and streams that you can sail through. The area can also be reached by bike or covered wagon. A trip with the covered wagon is also fun for children.
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Visit the cognac region with its vineyards, idyllic villages with Romanesque churches, cozy terraces, and nice markets. The town of Cognac is the center of the cognac region. The large cognac houses along the quay of the Charente in this town show the rich history.
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Near your holiday home are two of the most popular animation parks in France.
These are also ranked high on the world list, so well worth a visit.
Puy du Fou is a historic theme park with beautiful shows. This theme park brings important periods of history to life. The Romans, the Vikings, Jeanne d'Arc, the 3 musketeers and the regional hero General Charette from the Vendée, form the centerpiece.
Les Vikings is a beautiful show. These barbarians attacked the settlements along the European rivers in the 9th and 10th centuries. In the show you can see how the locals celebrate a wedding when the Normans storm into the village on roaring horses and set fire to a barn with burning torches. A Viking ship rises from the river and warriors jump off board and sow death and destruction.
From June to September, one of the largest water and fire shows in the world takes place every Friday and Saturday evening. Over 1000 actors participate in this show, 4000 costumes are used, and more than 300 pieces of fireworks are lit.
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Futuroscope is an amusement park near Poitiers. It is one of the largest animation parks in the country. Futuroscope is a theme park where it's all about futuristic attractions. There are 20 attractions and 4 shows. These are all dedicated to the latest techniques in the field of film and multimedia. There are 900m2 IMAX movie screens, 4D effects and shows where you take a glance at the future. The buildings in the park are also an attraction in themselves due to their futuristic style.
The attraction Arthur, a 4D Adventure, is one of the most popular parts of Futuroscope and is dedicated to the popular movie Arthur and the Minimoys. Turn into a Minimoy and help Arthur find his treasure. The 4D effects go even further than the 3D effects. Not only do you see everything around you in full detail, but it will also feel lifelike.
There is also a roller coaster and a restaurant where molecular gastronomy can be enjoyed.
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Take a day trip to the Atlantic coast and visit La Rochelle and Île de Ré. La Rochelle is an atmospheric place with nice shopping streets, many terraces, and the Vieux Port. See the beautiful boats in the huge marina with 3500 places or take a tour of the city.
On the island of Île de Ré you can enjoy history, nature, and charming villages with charming harbors. Relax on one of the terraces that are often full of tourists who are enjoying a wonderful holiday just like you. Taste the local specialties, take a dip in the sea, or enjoy the sun on the beach.
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