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 See guide
Angouleme (Charente)
Angouleme is one of our favourite Charente towns, with several interesting historic monuments to see and nice views See guide
Ars-en-Re (Charente-Maritime)
Ars-en-Ré is one of the pretty villages to explore on the Ile-de-Ré See guide
Aubeterre-sur-Dronne (Charente)
The attractive village of Aubeterre-sur-Dronne is also well known for its imposing troglodyte church See guide
Barbezieux (Charente)
Here in the small town of Barbezieux it is the castle that dominates the town, and your visit... See guide
Bayers (Charente)
The Chateau de Bayers is the principal monument here, and thers are several other smaller sites of interest See guide
Brigueuil (Charente)
Here in Brigueuil it is the roman style church that is the most interesting highlight for visitors See guide
Brouage (Charente-Maritime)
The town of Brouage is visited for the substantial fortifications and citadel, dating from the Napoleonic era See 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 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 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 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 guide
Chatelaillon-Plage (Charente-Maritime)
The seaside resort of Chatelaillon-Plage has a long sandy beach and a friendly atmosphere See guide
Chatellerault (Vienne)
The quiet regional town of Chatellerault has some notable 18th century townhouses See guide
Chauvigny (Vienne)
We especially enjoyed exploring the castles along the hilltop when visiting Chauvigny See guide
Cognac (Charente)
Cognac has an extensive old twon and town centre, nice riverside walk and lots of Cognac distilleries. Definitely recommended. See guide
Confolens (Charente)
Confolens has several sites of interest including an ancient bridge and fountain and some medieval houses See guide
Coulon (Deux-Sevres)
Established since 2000 years agio, Coulon is now a centre for exploring the Marais-Poitevin marshes See guide
Fouras (Charente-Maritime)
While the beaches are the main highlight here in Fouras, be sure to also visit the Vauban fortifications See guide
Futuroscope (Vienne)
Futuroscope is one of the most popular attractions in France! See 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 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 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 guide
Jarnac (Charente)
Visitors to Jarnac can explore the small old town, walk along the riverside, and sample the local Cognac! See guide
Jonzac (Charente-Maritime)
Best known as a spa town Jonzac also has a small castle and other monuments to discover See guide
La Flotte-en-Re (Charente-Maritime)
The village of La Flotte-en-Ré is a pretty village on the Ile-de-Ré See guide
La Palmyre (Charente-Maritime)
You will find a beach at La Palmyre but it is best known for its very popular zoo See 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 guide
La Rochefoucauld (Charente)
After exploring the Chateau de Rochefoucauld be sure to stroll around the rest of the historic town centre See 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 guide
La Rochelle aquarium (Charente-Maritime)
The aquarium in La Rochelle features various parts, including a shark tank and many colourful sea creatures See 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 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 guide
La Rochelle towers (Charente-Maritime)
These three fortress towers protect the entrance to the harbour in La Rochelle See guide
La Tremblade (Charente-Maritime)
Visit the beach and port at La Tremblade, and explore the sand dunes See guide
Marais Poitevin (Charente-Maritime)
The Marais-Poitevin is a region of canals and marshes, an unusual environment best explored by boat See guide
Marans (Charente-Maritime)
Marans is a small town with a pretty section along the river in the town See guide
Marthon (Charente)
In Marthon there is no single monument that dominates, but rather several small buildings and historic sites of interest See guide
Melle (Deux-Sevres)
The town of Melle is best known for its three roman style churches, built in the 12th century See 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 guide
Meschers-sur-Gironde (Charente-Maritime)
The beaches and rocky coast attract visitors to Meschers, and you can also see troglodyte cave dwellings See guide
Moncontour, Vienne (Vienne)
As well as the castle in Moncontour, you will also enjoy the town's leisure lake See 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 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 guide
Mouthiers-sur-Boeme (Charente)
The 12th century church in roman style is the principal monument here in Mouthiers-sur-Boeme See 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 guide
Niort (Deux-Sevres)
A typical local town rather than a tourist town, Niort does have a ruined castle and churches of interst See guide
Nouaille-Maupertuis (Vienne)
Visit Nouaille-Maupertuis to see the substantial Abbey of Saint Junien See guide
Parthenay (Deux-Sevres)
Parthenay is a quiet town, with historic monuments that hint at its importance iver the centuries See guide
Poitiers (Vienne)
Poitiers is a nice town with lots of interesting sites, including the 12th century cathedral See guide
Pons (Charente-Maritime)
Pons is a quiet small town overlooked by a castle tower that is a pleasant place for a stroll See guide
Rochefort (Charente-Maritime)
Rochefort is an attractive 18th century town with a famous corderie, where ropes and ships were made See 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 guide
Royan (Charente-Maritime)
At Royan you will enjoy the beaches and also the promenade along the seafront See guide
Ruffec (Charente)
The highlight in the quiet town of Ruffec is the facade of the 12th century church See 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 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 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 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 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 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 guide
Saintes (Charente-Maritime)
The town of Saintes is very interesting, with an extensive old-town to explore and a Roman amphitheatre See 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 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 guide
Thouars (Deux-Sevres)
Best known for its 17th century castle, in Thouars you can also see several medieval monuments See guide
Torsac (Charente)
Torsac is one of several small but interesting villages to stroll around in Charente See guide
Tusson (Charente)
Tusson is a very typical town of the Charente and has several impressive Renaissance townhouses to admire See 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 guide
Villebois-Lavalette (Charente)
The village of Villebois-Lavalette is pleasant to explore, and also has a castle to see See guideFor more information see the Poitou-Charentes guide
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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
