The Region
Poitou-Charentes is the old administrative region in south-western France It comprises four departments : Charente, Charente-Maritime, Deux-Sèvres et Vienne originating from the ancient provinces of Angoumois, Aunis, Saintonge and Poitou. The regional capital is Poitiers. The other important towns are La Rochelle, Niort, Angoulême, Châtellerault, Saintes, Rochefort and Royan. Located in the South West, today the region is very diverse, the Cognac region and vineyards also producing Pineau and Charentais wines, agricultural land producing the charentais melon, dairy production, coastal regions famous for its oysters, mussels, shellfish and lesser known caviar (Royan, La Rochelle and its islands Ré, Aix and Oléron). Tourism is a very important resource to the area noted for its historical attractions and coastal tourism. The ports of Royan, La Rochelle and Rochefort are very attractive, as well as being popular with yachtsmen. South of the Gironde, the coast offers miles and miles of sandy beaches.
LA ROCHELLE
La Rochelle is the historical capital of the Charente-Maritime and is the most populated in the region Aquitaine-Limousin-Poitou. Situated on the Atlantic coast, La Rochelle is protected from storms by the islands of Ré, Oléron and Aix. It has been a first class port complex since the twelfth century. It retains more than ever its title of "Gate ocean" by the presence of its three ports (fishing, commercial and pleasure boats). Ancient city, rich in history and beautiful buildings with arched covered streets, La Rochelle has now become the most important city between the estuary of the Loire and the Gironde estuary. In addition to its standing as a port, it has important sectors in administration, universities, technology and tourism.
ROYAN
Royan is a commune in the department of Charente-Maritime along the Atlantic coast in southwestern France, region Aquitaine-Limousin-Poitou-Charentes). It is the principal town on the "Côte de beauté" situated on a large sandy bay at the mouth of the gironde estuary between Bordeaux and La Rochelle. Royan is above all one of the main resorts on the French Atlantic coast with five sandy beaches, and has a marina which can accommodate over 1 000 boats and is an active fishing port. After suffering numerous invasions, Royan was rebuilt in the mid nineteenth century and has been a representative architectural heritage 1950 (modern architecture), which earned it to be classified City of Art and History in 2010 Today Royan confirms its role as a leading tourist destination – its population swells to 90,000 in the summer season.
LE COGNAC
Did you know that the Cognac vineyards cover 80 000 hectares, making it the second largest after the vineyards of Bordeaux ? The production wines are distributed around the town of Cognac in concentric circles : Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, End, Wood Bons Bois ordinary. The bigger the circle narrows, the more quality is great ! Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne are the bases of the finest cognacs of the "Pays de Cognac".
MARAIS POITEVIN
Venise verte. "Green Venice" covers much of the sea-level flat land inland from the coast, mostly in Deux-Sèvres and Charente-Maritime. It is an area of slow moving rivers and channels, woods and fields. Boating and kayaking, angling, rambling and riding are among popular activities here. There is a good network of marked cycle tracks. Exploring the Marais Poitevin is meeting in turn the famous "Green Venice" near Niort, the parched marshes between small bridges and comely locks and the Baie de l'Aiguillon and its splendid nature reserve. Three different landscapes but around the same feeling of peace and serenity. Second largest wetland in France after the Camargue, the Marais Poitevin regained its label of "Regional Natural Park" in June 2014 and presents itself as the destination "ecotourism" par excellence. Welcome to the realm of authentic natural joys that delight.
LA CHARENTE
The river Charente and Charente valley, from Angoulême to Rochefort through Jarnac, Cognac, Chaniers, Saintes, Port d'Envaux, Saint-Savinien...The Charente runs through the old provinces of Angoumois and Saintonge and the departments of Haute-Vienne, Vienne, Charente and Charente-Maritime. After the department of Charente and the crossing of Cognac and Jarnac, it penetrates in Saintonge in a region more "maritime" as shown in the name of the department. The Charente is navigable today on 170 km between Angoulême and Rochefort. A dozen tributaries reinforce its course.
‘’LE PLUS BEAU RUISSEAU DU ROYAUME’’
Henry IV called the Charente, '' The most beautiful stream in the kingdom.'' This phrase became famous, it is sometimes even attributed to François 1st, mistake - it seems but it is true that the character of François 1er is closely linked to the town of Cognac and the Charente.
THE BARGES
Charente by his regular diet, has always known navigation. From the Middle Ages, this communication ensures economic wealth.
LE TOURISME FLUVIAL
The Charente is channeled in the 18th century, for the delivery of salt produced on the coasts of Aunis and Saintonge, such as transport to the sea, is not thwarted by floods and low water. Goods, brandy and wine barrels, wheat, barley, stone, paper, guns...were transported on wooden flat-bottomed boats called barges (or barges). Tourist vocation to barges, built according to tradition, offering rides from Cognac and Saintes. The Charente river is now a tourist axis better and better emphasized and increasingly appreciated. The navigation continues with the river tourism. The rental boat without license develops from those seeking original holiday in complete freedom, change of scenery.
COGNAC
Cognac is the Charente, walks on the docks, a walk by barge is strolling through the old town is the visit of the great cognac houses...
SAINTES
Saintes, two thousand years of history at the door of your stay on the Atlantic coast. Saintes, Gallo-Roman city, evidence of the great capital of the Roman province of Aquitaine. Labeled City of Art and History since 1990, the city boasts a remarkable cultural vitality, as the number of structures (municipal and voluntary) within its territory and the quality of activities and projects developed by each. The offer is rich and varied and organized into clusters of skills and expertise in the areas most varied cultural : Music : Abbaye aux Dames / Center for Cultural Exchanges, Conservatory of Music and Dance, Space Resources Saint Eutropius current music, workshops Saints Current Music; Performing arts : Theater Gallia ; Public Lecture : media libraries, Heritage Museums, Heritage Workshop Saintonge, etc...
PORT D’ENVAUX
A charming village on the Charente, a marina and a beach. Port d'Envaux is located on the left bank of the Charente, about ten kilometers downstream from Saintes.
ROCHEFORT AND MARITIME HERITAGE
In the mid 17th century, the port of Brouage silting and Rochefort site is chosen by Colbert to build a military port and arsenal.
MANY ATTRACTIONS OR FESTIVALS MAKE OUR REGION RENOWNED:
Comic Festival in ANGOULÊME ...
Blues Passion Festival at COGNAC
Francofolies Festival at LA ROCHELLE
Music Festival in SAINTES
Violins on the Sand in ROYAN
Futuroscope in POITIERS
LA ROCHELLE Aquarium
La PALMYRE Zoo
Fort Boyard
"L'Hermione" in ROCHEFORT