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.
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
Angouleme (Charente)
Angouleme is one of our favourite Charente towns, with several interesting historic monuments to see and nice views
Ars-en-Re (Charente-Maritime)
Ars-en-Ré is one of the pretty villages to explore on the Ile-de-Ré
Aubeterre-sur-Dronne (Charente)
The attractive village of Aubeterre-sur-Dronne is also well known for its imposing troglodyte church
Barbezieux (Charente)
Here in the small town of Barbezieux it is the castle that dominates the town, and your visit...
Bayers (Charente)
The Chateau de Bayers is the principal monument here, and thers are several other smaller sites of interest
Brigueuil (Charente)
Here in Brigueuil it is the roman style church that is the most interesting highlight for visitors
Brouage (Charente-Maritime)
The town of Brouage is visited for the substantial fortifications and citadel, dating from the Napoleonic era
Charmant (Charente)
Charmant is another pleasant Charente town, with a small castle and a church as well as the source of the river Boeme
Chateau de Cherveux (Deux-Sevres)
The Chateau de Cherveux, one of the best preserved 15th century castles in the region, is close to Niort
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
Chatelaillon-Plage (Charente-Maritime)
The seaside resort of Chatelaillon-Plage has a long sandy beach and a friendly atmosphere
Chatellerault (Vienne)
The quiet regional town of Chatellerault has some notable 18th century townhouses
Chauvigny (Vienne)
We especially enjoyed exploring the castles along the hilltop when visiting Chauvigny
Cognac (Charente)
Cognac has an extensive old twon and town centre, nice riverside walk and lots of Cognac distilleries. Definitely recommended.
Confolens (Charente)
Confolens has several sites of interest including an ancient bridge and fountain and some medieval houses
Coulon (Deux-Sevres)
Established since 2000 years agio, Coulon is now a centre for exploring the Marais-Poitevin marshes
Fouras (Charente-Maritime)
While the beaches are the main highlight here in Fouras, be sure to also visit the Vauban fortifications
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!
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!
Ile-d'Aix (Charente-Maritime)
Ile d'Aix is a small island, explored on foot or by bike, known for its association with Napoleon
Jarnac (Charente)
Visitors to Jarnac can explore the small old town, walk along the riverside, and sample the local Cognac!
Jonzac (Charente-Maritime)
Best known as a spa town Jonzac also has a small castle and other monuments to discover
La Flotte-en-Re (Charente-Maritime)
The village of La Flotte-en-Ré is a pretty village on the Ile-de-Ré
La Palmyre (Charente-Maritime)
You will find a beach at La Palmyre but it is best known for its very popular zoo
La Roche-Posay (Vienne)
The castle donjon and the medieval gateway are the main historical monuments in the spa town of La Roche-Posay
La Rochefoucauld (Charente)
After exploring the Chateau de Rochefoucauld be sure to stroll around the rest of the historic town centre
La Rochelle (Charente-Maritime)
The historic town and monuments and the vibrant harbour area make La Rochelle one of our favourite towns in France
La Tremblade (Charente-Maritime)
Visit the beach and port at La Tremblade, and explore the sand dunes
Marais Poitevin (Charente-Maritime)
The Marais-Poitevin is a region of canals and marshes, an unusual environment best explored by boat
Marans (Charente-Maritime)
Marans is a small town with a pretty section along the river in the town
Marthon (Charente)
In Marthon there is no single monument that dominates, but rather several small buildings and historic sites of interest
Melle (Deux-Sevres)
The town of Melle is best known for its three roman style churches, built in the 12th century
Meschers-sur-Gironde (Charente-Maritime)
The beaches and rocky coast attract visitors to Meschers, and you can also see troglodyte cave dwellings
Moncontour, Vienne (Vienne)
As well as the castle in Moncontour, you will also enjoy the town's leisure lake
Montmorillon (Vienne)
Although it is quite a small town, there is a lot to discover in the pretty town of Montmorillon - and bookshops!
Mornac-sur-Seudre (Charente-Maritime)
Not far from Royan the centre of Mornac-sur-Seudre is attractive and very pleasant to stroll around
Mouthiers-sur-Boeme (Charente)
The 12th century church in roman style is the principal monument here in Mouthiers-sur-Boeme
Nanteuil-en-Vallee (Charente)
Here at Nanteuil-en-Vallee it is the Nanteuil Abbey and Treasury that is of most interest to visitors
Niort (Deux-Sevres)
A typical local town rather than a tourist town, Niort does have a ruined castle and churches of interst
Nouaille-Maupertuis (Vienne)
Visit Nouaille-Maupertuis to see the substantial Abbey of Saint Junien
Parthenay (Deux-Sevres)
Parthenay is a quiet town, with historic monuments that hint at its importance iver the centuries
Poitiers (Vienne)
Poitiers is a nice town with lots of interesting sights, including the 12th century cathedral
Pons (Charente-Maritime)
Pons is a quiet small town overlooked by a castle tower that is a pleasant place for a stroll
Rochefort (Charente-Maritime)
Rochefort is an attractive 18th century town with a famous corderie, where ropes and ships were made
Ronce-les-Bains (Charente-Maritime)
Ronce-les-Bains is a long established resort with several beaches nearby, and an important centre for mussel farming
Royan (Charente-Maritime)
At Royan you will enjoy the beaches and also the promenade along the seafront
Ruffec (Charente)
The highlight in the quiet town of Ruffec is the facade of the 12th century church
Saint-Germain-de-Confolens (Charente)
In the village of Saint-Germain-de-Confolens you can see the substantial ruins of an ancient castle
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
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
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
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
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
Saintes (Charente-Maritime)
The town of Saintes is very interesting, with an extensive old-town to explore and a Roman amphitheatre
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
Talmont (Charente-Maritime)
Talmont-sur-Gironde is one of the prettiest villages in Charente-Maritime, well known for the imposing roman style church
Thouars (Deux-Sevres)
Best known for its 17th century castle, in Thouars you can also see several medieval monuments
Torsac (Charente)
Torsac is one of several small but interesting villages to stroll around in Charente
Tusson (Charente)
Tusson is a very typical town of the Charente and has several impressive Renaissance townhouses to admire
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
Villebois-Lavalette (Charente)
The village of Villebois-Lavalette is pleasant to explore, and also has a castle to see
For more information see the Poitou-Charentes guide
Tourist attractions to visit in Poitou-Charentes
The following sites have received official "tourist classifications"...
Aquarium
Aquarium de La Rochelle
Aquarium de Loudun
UNESCO world heritage sites
Aulnay église St Pierre (monuments on French pilgrim routes)
Melle église St Hilaire (monuments on French pilgrim routes): Tourist guide
Poitiers église Saint-Hilaire le Grand (monuments on French pilgrim routes): 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): Tourist guide
Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe Abbey: Tourist guide
Saintes basilique St Eutrope (monuments on French pilgrim routes): Tourist guide
Villages classified as "most beautiful villages"
Angles-sur-l'Anglin: Tourist guide
Ars-en-Re: Tourist guide
Aubeterre-sur-Dronne: Tourist guide
Coulon: Tourist guide
La Flotte-en-Re: Tourist guide
Mornac-sur-Seudre: Tourist guide
Talmont: Tourist guide
National Monuments
Abbey Saint-Sauveur de Charroux
Oiron Chateau
Sanxay
Secteur Sauvegardé (protected historical town centre)
Chatillon-sur-Thouet: Tourist guide
La Rochelle: Tourist guide
Parthenay: Tourist guide
Poitiers: Tourist guide
Saintes: Tourist guide
Theme Park
Futuroscope: Tourist guide
Towns of Art and History
Angouleme: Tourist guide
Confolens: Tourist guide
Montmorillon: Tourist guide
Parthenay: Tourist guide
Poitiers: Tourist guide
Rochefort: Tourist guide
Royan: Tourist guide
Saintes: Tourist guide
Thouars: Tourist guide
4* Towns in Bloom
Angouleme: Tourist guide
Marans: Tourist guide
Royan: Tourist guide
Saintes: Tourist guide
Thouars: Tourist guide
Zoo or wildlife park
Vallée des singes (monkeys)
Zoo de la Palmyre
Zoodyssée