Tourism - Poitou-Charentes



Poitou-Charentes is a region of France located in the western central part of the country and that has four departments: Charente, Charente-Maritime, Deux-Sèvres and Vienne. Main cities are Angoulême, La Rochelle, Niort and Poitiers.

In Poitou-Charentes, Romanesque constructions are the evidence of a rich and varied architecture. Hundreds of Romanesque churches are located in this region such as the famous ‘Saintonge’ Church; each village’s churches are a work of art. Taizon bridge, Dames de Saintes Abbey, Saint-Pierre Cathedral in Angoulême, Saint-Pierre-de-la-Tour church in Aulnay, the Melle churches, Notre-Dame of Poitiers church and many more were all built in the 11th and 12th century.

Regarding modern tourist attractions, the ‘Futuroscope’ in Poitiers is one of the largest parks receiving more than a million visitors each year.

Every year numerous cultural events take place such as the Francofolies in La Rochelle; the ‘Grand Pavois’, a boat show that take place on water; the international comics festival in Angoulême as well as the ‘Gastronomades’ a food festival and ‘Blues Passion’ festival as well as the Drama film Festival in Cognac.

Top tourist cities in Poitou-Charentes

poitiers

Tourism Poitiers

Poitiers is located on the banks of the River Clain, 350km from Paris and 120 km from the Atlantic coast. Poitiers is easily reached by train in about one hour or bus from Paris. The city center is picturesque with the Roman architectural remains. Poitiers is associated ...


Must : Le musée Sainte-Croix, Le Baptistère Saint-Jean, Notre-Dame-la-Grande

la-rochelle

Tourism La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a city located in the department of Charente-Maritime, in the Poitou-Charente. It is the Prefecture. This town turns out to be one of the most important cities on the Atlantic coast with a number of inhabitants is around the figure of 77 000 inhabitants. ...


Must : Tours de la Rochelle, Aquarium de la Rochelle, Le Musée des Automates

niort

Tourisme Niort, The Green Venice

Niort is one of the most important cities of the historic Poitou region. In the past, it was a major place for drapery and tannery in Europe. Today, Niort has managed to adapt and preserve its heritage. Thus, the big pedestrianized city-centre offers to discover the ...


Must : Donjon de Niort-Aliénor d'Aquitaine, Musée Bernard d’Agesci

angouleme

Tourism Angoulême

Angouleme, prefecture of Charente and capital of Angoumois,  represents an important industrial basin with companies diversified like the paper mills, packing and the electrical engineerings. But it is especially in the field of the trades of the image, that ...


Must : Cité Internationale de la Bande Dessinée et de l'Image, Cathédrale Saint-Pierre d'Angoulême, Musée Archéologique et Historique

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