Poitou-Charentes places to visit and attractions
Below you can explore some of the most popular highlights and places of interest in the Poitou-Charentes region. See also our Poitou-Charentes travel guide.
Amphitheatre in Saintes (Charente-Maritime)
The amphitheatre in Saintes was built by the Romans in the First century AD See Amphitheatre in Saintes guide
Angles-sur-l'Anglin (Vienne)
The pretty village of Angles sur l'Anglin and the river setting make this one of our favourite Vienne villages See Angles-sur-l'Anglin guide
Angouleme (Charente)
Angouleme is one of our favourite Charente towns, with several interesting historic monuments to see and nice views See Angouleme guide
Ars-en-Re (Charente-Maritime)
Ars-en-Ré is one of the pretty villages to explore on the Ile-de-Ré See Ars-en-Re guide
Aubeterre-sur-Dronne (Charente)
The attractive village of Aubeterre-sur-Dronne is also well known for its imposing troglodyte church See Aubeterre-sur-Dronne guide
Barbezieux (Charente)
Here in the small town of Barbezieux it is the castle that dominates the town, and your visit... See Barbezieux guide Advertisement
Bayers (Charente)
The Chateau de Bayers is the principal monument here, and thers are several other smaller sites of interest See Bayers guide
Brigueuil (Charente)
Here in Brigueuil it is the roman style church that is the most interesting highlight for visitors See Brigueuil guide
Brouage (Charente-Maritime)
The town of Brouage is visited for the substantial fortifications and citadel, dating from the Napoleonic era See Brouage guide
Chalais (Charente)
Chalais has an ancient castle and a roman church among its attractions See Chalais guide
Charmant (Charente)
Charmant is another pleasant Charente town, with a small castle and a church as well as the source of the river Boeme See Charmant guide
Chateau de Cherveux (Deux-Sevres)
The Chateau de Cherveux, one of the best preserved 15th century castles in the region, is close to Niort See Chateau de Cherveux guide
Chateau de la Mercerie (Charente)
The Chateau de la Mercerie is a manor house with a substantial wing added in the 20th century, and now recently restored See Chateau de la Mercerie guide
Chateau de La Rochefoucauld (Charente)
The Chateau de La Rochefoucauld is the most important castle in Charente, with both medieval and renaissance parts to the castle See Chateau de La Rochefoucauld guide
Chatelaillon-Plage (Charente-Maritime)
The seaside resort of Chatelaillon-Plage has a long sandy beach and a friendly atmosphere See Chatelaillon-Plage guide Advertisement
Chatellerault (Vienne)
The quiet regional town of Chatellerault has some notable 18th century townhouses See Chatellerault guide
Chauvigny (Vienne)
We especially enjoyed exploring the castles along the hilltop when visiting Chauvigny See Chauvigny guide
Church Sainte-Radegonde of Talmont (Charente-Maritime)
The Church Sainte-Radegonde is a roman style church of the 12th century on the coast at Talmont-sur-Gironde See Church Sainte-Radegonde of Talmont guide
Cognac (Charente)
Cognac has an extensive old twon and town centre, nice riverside walk and lots of Cognac distilleries. Definitely recommended. See Cognac guide
Confolens (Charente)
Confolens has several sites of interest including an ancient bridge and fountain and some medieval houses See Confolens guide
Coulon (Deux-Sevres)
Established since 2000 years agio, Coulon is now a centre for exploring the Marais-Poitevin marshes See Coulon guide
Fouras (Charente-Maritime)
While the beaches are the main highlight here in Fouras, be sure to also visit the Vauban fortifications See Fouras guide
Futuroscope (Vienne)
Futuroscope is one of the most popular attractions in France! See Futuroscope guide
Ile d'Oleron (Charente-Maritime)
It is usually the beaches that attract visitors to Ile d'Oleron, but allow time to explore the towns as well! See Ile d'Oleron guide
Ile de Re (Charente-Maritime)
The Ile-de-Ré is an island with lots of sandy beaches and some attractive villages. Much loved by cycling families! See Ile de Re guide
Ile-d'Aix (Charente-Maritime)
Ile d'Aix is a small island, explored on foot or by bike, known for its association with Napoleon See Ile-d'Aix guide
Jarnac (Charente)
Visitors to Jarnac can explore the small old town, walk along the riverside, and sample the local Cognac! See Jarnac guide
Jonzac (Charente-Maritime)
Best known as a spa town Jonzac also has a small castle and other monuments to discover See Jonzac guide
La Flotte-en-Re (Charente-Maritime)
The village of La Flotte-en-Ré is a pretty village on the Ile-de-Ré See La Flotte-en-Re guide
La Palmyre (Charente-Maritime)
You will find a beach at La Palmyre but it is best known for its very popular zoo See La Palmyre guide
La Roche-Posay (Vienne)
The castle donjon and the medieval gateway are the main historical monuments in the spa town of La Roche-Posay See La Roche-Posay guide
La Rochefoucauld (Charente)
After exploring the Chateau de Rochefoucauld be sure to stroll around the rest of the historic town centre See La Rochefoucauld guide
La Rochelle (Charente-Maritime)
The historic town and monuments and the vibrant harbour area make La Rochelle one of our favourite towns in France See La Rochelle guide
La Rochelle aquarium (Charente-Maritime)
The aquarium in La Rochelle features various parts, including a shark tank and many colourful sea creatures See La Rochelle aquarium guide
La Rochelle harbour (Charente-Maritime)
The harbour area in La Rochelle is the liveliest part of the town, with numerous restaurants, street entertainers, artists and the aquarium See La Rochelle harbour guide
La Rochelle Natural History Museum (Charente-Maritime)
The Natural History Museum in La Rochelle contains an eclectic mix of items collected by 19th century explorers See La Rochelle Natural History Museum guide
La Rochelle towers (Charente-Maritime)
These three fortress towers protect the entrance to the harbour in La Rochelle See La Rochelle towers guide
La Tremblade (Charente-Maritime)
Visit the beach and port at La Tremblade, and explore the sand dunes See La Tremblade guide
Marais Poitevin (Charente-Maritime)
The Marais-Poitevin is a region of canals and marshes, an unusual environment best explored by boat See Marais Poitevin guide
Marans (Charente-Maritime)
Marans is a small town with a pretty section along the river in the town See Marans guide
Marthon (Charente)
In Marthon there is no single monument that dominates, but rather several small buildings and historic sites of interest See Marthon guide
Melle (Deux-Sevres)
The town of Melle is best known for its three roman style churches, built in the 12th century See Melle guide
Melle Church of Saint-Hilaire (Deux-Sevres)
The church of Saint-Hilare in Melle is a very impressive example of 12th century architecture See Melle Church of Saint-Hilaire guide
Meschers-sur-Gironde (Charente-Maritime)
The beaches and rocky coast attract visitors to Meschers, and you can also see troglodyte cave dwellings See Meschers-sur-Gironde guide
Moncontour, Vienne (Vienne)
As well as the castle in Moncontour, you will also enjoy the town's leisure lake See Moncontour, Vienne guide
Montmorillon (Vienne)
Although it is quite a small town, there is a lot to discover in the pretty town of Montmorillon - and bookshops! See Montmorillon guide
Mornac-sur-Seudre (Charente-Maritime)
Not far from Royan the centre of Mornac-sur-Seudre is attractive and very pleasant to stroll around See Mornac-sur-Seudre guide
Mouthiers-sur-Boeme (Charente)
The 12th century church in roman style is the principal monument here in Mouthiers-sur-Boeme See Mouthiers-sur-Boeme guide
Nanteuil-en-Vallee (Charente)
Here at Nanteuil-en-Vallee it is the Nanteuil Abbey and Treasury that is of most interest to visitors See Nanteuil-en-Vallee guide
Niort (Deux-Sevres)
Niort is a picturesque large town with a donjon, a market hall and a large historic centre to explore See Niort guide
Nouaille-Maupertuis (Vienne)
Visit Nouaille-Maupertuis to see the substantial Abbey of Saint Junien See Nouaille-Maupertuis guide
Parthenay (Deux-Sevres)
Parthenay is a quiet town, with historic monuments that hint at its importance iver the centuries See Parthenay guide
Poitiers (Vienne)
Poitiers is a nice town with lots of interesting sites, including the 12th century cathedral See Poitiers guide
Pons (Charente-Maritime)
Pons is a quiet small town overlooked by a castle tower that is a pleasant place for a stroll See Pons guide
Rochefort (Charente-Maritime)
Rochefort is an attractive 18th century town with a famous corderie, where ropes and ships were made See Rochefort guide
Ronce-les-Bains (Charente-Maritime)
Ronce-les-Bains is a long established resort with several beaches nearby, and an important centre for mussel farming See Ronce-les-Bains guide
Royan (Charente-Maritime)
At Royan you will enjoy the beaches and also the promenade along the seafront See Royan guide
Ruffec (Charente)
The highlight in the quiet town of Ruffec is the facade of the 12th century church See Ruffec guide
Saint-Germain-de-Confolens (Charente)
In the village of Saint-Germain-de-Confolens you can see the substantial ruins of an ancient castle See Saint-Germain-de-Confolens guide
Saint-Jean d'Angely (Charente-Maritime)
The historic centre of Saint-Jean d'Angely has several notable monuments including the abbey church and some medieval houses See Saint-Jean d'Angely guide
Saint-Martin-de-Re (Charente-Maritime)
On the north coast of Ile-de-Ré, the village of Saint-Martin-de-Ré is very pretty and has an attractive port See Saint-Martin-de-Re guide
Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe (Vienne)
The highlight here is of course the Abbey of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe, certainly the best example of roman style architecture anywhere in Poitou-Charentes See Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe guide
Saint-Savinien (Charente-Maritime)
In an attractive setting on the banks of the Charente River, Saint-Savinien also has a few historic sites of interest See Saint-Savinien guide
Saint-Simon (Charente)
In the Charente town of Saint-Simon you will enjoy a stroll along the river, and perhps then a boat trip along the river See Saint-Simon guide
Saintes (Charente-Maritime)
The town of Saintes is very interesting, with an extensive old-town to explore and a Roman amphitheatre See Saintes guide
Surgeres (Charente-Maritime)
It is the cluster of monuments in the park in the centre of Surgeres that are the principal attraction in the town See Surgeres guide
Talmont (Charente-Maritime)
Talmont-sur-Gironde is one of the prettiest villages in Charente-Maritime, well known for the imposing roman style church See Talmont guide
Thouars (Deux-Sevres)
Best known for its 17th century castle, in Thouars you can also see several medieval monuments See Thouars guide
Torsac (Charente)
Torsac is one of several small but interesting villages to stroll around in Charente See Torsac guide
Tusson (Charente)
Tusson is a very typical town of the Charente and has several impressive Renaissance townhouses to admire See Tusson guide
Verteuil-sur-Charente (Charente)
At Verteuil-sur-Charente you will enjoy a stroll along the banks of the Charente River and a look at the substantial castle See Verteuil-sur-Charente guide
Villebois-Lavalette (Charente)
The village of Villebois-Lavalette is pleasant to explore, and also has a castle to see See Villebois-Lavalette guideFor more information see the Poitou-Charentes guide
Tourist attractions to visit in Poitou-Charentes
The following sites have received official "tourist classifications"...
UNESCO world heritage sites
Aulnay église St Pierre (monuments on French pilgrim routes)
Melle église St Hilaire (monuments on French pilgrim routes): See tourist guide
Poitiers église Saint-Hilaire le Grand (monuments on French pilgrim routes): See tourist guide
Pons ancien hopital des pèlerins (monuments on French pilgrim routes)
Saint-Jean-d'Angély, abbaye royale (monuments on French pilgrim routes)
Saint-Martin-de-Ré citadelle (Vauban fortifications): See tourist guide
Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe Abbey: See tourist guide
Saintes basilique St Eutrope (monuments on French pilgrim routes): See tourist guide
Villages classified as "most beautiful villages"
Angles-sur-l'Anglin: See tourist guide
Ars-en-Re: See tourist guide
Aubeterre-sur-Dronne: See tourist guide
Coulon: See tourist guide
La Flotte-en-Re: See tourist guide
Mornac-sur-Seudre: See tourist guide
Talmont: See tourist guide
National Monuments
Abbey Saint-Sauveur de Charroux
Oiron Chateau
Sanxay
Towns classified as Recommended Detours
Chauvigny: See tourist guide
Jonzac: See tourist guide
Loudun
Secteur Sauvegardé (protected historical town centre)
Chatillon-sur-Thouet: See tourist guide
La Rochelle: See tourist guide
Parthenay: See tourist guide
Poitiers: See tourist guide
Saintes: See tourist guide
Theme Park
Futuroscope: See tourist guide
Towns of Art and History
Angouleme: See tourist guide
Confolens: See tourist guide
Montmorillon: See tourist guide
Parthenay: See tourist guide
Poitiers: See tourist guide
Rochefort: See tourist guide
Royan: See tourist guide
Saintes: See tourist guide
Thouars: See tourist guide
4* Towns in Bloom
Angouleme: See tourist guide
Marans: See tourist guide
Royan: See tourist guide
Saintes: See tourist guide
Thouars: See tourist guide
Zoo or wildlife park
Vallée des singes (monkeys)
Zoo de la Palmyre
Zoodyssée
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