Top 15 Must-See Attractions in Poitou-Charentes

Given its inclusion of La Rochelle and the renowned theme park Futuroscope, it is not surprising that Poitou-Charentes ranks among the most visited tourist regions in France.

The historic city of La Rochelle is a well-known and beloved destination, largely due to its ancient harbor, safeguarded for centuries by its iconic towers.

However, the region offers much more for those willing to explore: Historic UNESCO sites, France’s version of Venice, innovative family attractions, and some of the most picturesque towns imaginable.

Enthusiastic connoisseurs of brandy can enhance their understanding of Cognac by traversing the designated trail, visiting some of the world’s most prestigious distilleries, and savoring this exquisite beverage along the way.

Let us examine the premier attractions in Poitou-Charentes:

1. La Rochelle

This coastal city justifiably ranks among France’s most favored summer destinations, featuring a magnificent old harbor protected by the Tour de la Chaîne and Tour Saint-Nicolas.

Savor a leisurely meal at a restaurant along the quayside, and meander through the city’s historic arcaded streets.

Family-oriented attractions here revolve around the ocean, where visitors can explore the history of French maritime endeavors at the Maritime Museum or visit the impressive aquarium, which houses tanks with a total capacity of three million liters.

For beach enthusiasts, crossing the bridge to Île de Ré reveals a selection of shallow golden beaches, along with the UNESCO-listed port of Saint-Martin, fortified by Vauban in the 17th century.

2. Marais Poitevin

For those who appreciate the outdoors, the second-largest wetlands in France provides a truly idyllic setting.

Describing the eastern, inland portion of Marais Poitevin as “The Green Venice” aptly captures its essence, characterized by waters adorned with vibrant green duckweed.

The area features a network of canals bordered by lush greenery, wooden footbridges, and charming cottages.

Visitors can head to one of the designated tourist piers to embark on a cruise in one of the region’s famous flat-bottomed boats or take to the waters with a kayak.

The banks are ideal for cycling as well, offering an abundant selection of trails for those seeking two-wheeled escapades.

3. Futuroscope, Poitiers

This audiovisual theme park features an array of 3D shows and rides, primarily set in spacious movie theaters.

The most thrilling experiences include “4D” attractions that merge movement and various sensory effects with the films.

Parents with young children will find it convenient, as the majority of attractions impose no height restrictions.

Currently, the most popular presentations include “Dancing with Robots,” “Arthur, the Adventure,” and “Ice Age.” Additionally, the park has partnered with Cirque du Soleil to provide a nightly stage show rich in special effects.

4. Cognac Country

The Charente and Charente-Maritime regions are recognized as the birthplace of this refined and esteemed brandy.

In order to qualify for the prestigious designation of Cognac, it must be produced in this part of France, undergo double distillation in copper stills, and be aged in oak barrels for a minimum of two years.

Throughout Cognac, visitors can tour some of the most renowned distilleries, such as Hennessy and Remy Martin, or follow the designated Cognac Trail to discover some lesser-known yet equally commendable producers.

The countryside in the Charente Valley is stunning in its own right, featuring orderly vineyards, historic water mills, and quaint riverside villages.

5. Atlantic Coast

Southward from La Rochelle lies a coastline known as the Côte de Beauté, characterized by its expansive ocean beaches and numerous tourism opportunities appealing to various interests.

For those interested in heritage, Rochefort is located near the mouth of the Charente River and was designated by Louis XIV as his royal dockyard.

The Corderie Royal (Rope Factory) and a replica of the 18th-century French frigate Hermione serve as vivid reminders of this historical significance.

Île-d’Aix is another delightful destination, entirely car-free.

Visitors can take a ferry to the island and explore its scenery from the comfort of a horse-drawn carriage.

6. Poitiers City

The pedestrian-friendly heart of this historic city is breathtakingly beautiful, adorned with a multitude of churches and palaces that can overwhelm visitors. One particularly modest structure, the Baptistery of Saint-Jean, is celebrated as the oldest Christian edifice in France, potentially even in Western Europe.

This building dates back to the 4th century and features impressive frescoes from the 1100s.

A visit would not be complete without seeing the cathedral, constructed under the direction of Eleanor of Aquitaine and King Henry II, which houses 13th-century wooden choir stalls that may also hold the distinction of being the oldest in France.

In the evening, do not miss the opportunity to visit the Church of Notre Dame, where the gothic friezes on the facade are illuminated in a captivating multicolored display.

7. Monolithic Church of Aubeterre-sur-Dronne

No photograph can adequately convey the grandeur of this underground church, which has been skillfully carved from the cliff-face in a stunning setting alongside the Dronne River.

Initially excavated in the 500s, the church was later expanded by Benedictine monks in the 1100s.

The nave reaches a height of approximately 15 meters, and one’s gaze is naturally drawn to the reliquary at one end, standing at six meters tall and crafted in the Romanesque style.

As you examine the columns and elevated galleries, it becomes nearly inconceivable that such a feat was accomplished entirely by hand.

8. La Palmyre Zoo

One distinctive feature of this zoo is the opportunity for visitors to feed many of the animals, allowing you to offer straw to the elephants and popcorn to the giraffes, creating a unique photo opportunity.

Opened in the 1960s, some enclosures are relatively small, but this ensures easy visibility of a diverse array of animals, including giant tortoises, rhinos, lemurs, and orangutans.

Moreover, the zoo has an exemplary track record in conservation, achieving up to 300 successful births each year.

9. Abbaye de Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe

The remarkable medieval murals within this abbey have earned it the title of “Romanesque Sistine Chapel” and a listing as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

These exquisite paintings, dating back to the 1000s and 1100s, hold no comparable examples in Europe.

The artists employed a limited palette—primarily black, white, green, red ochre, and yellow ochre—yet many images retain a vibrancy as if freshly completed.

For those seeking a more comprehensive understanding of the site, guided tours lasting 90 minutes are available, providing in-depth insights.

The architecture of the church also merits close examination, particularly the leaf-like motifs adorning the capitals supporting the barrel-vaulted ceiling, demonstrating the highest craftsmanship.

10. Tumulus of Bougon

The Deux-Sèvres department, central to the region, holds prehistoric heritage, as evidenced by five Neolithic barrows discovered in 1840, which captured significant international scholarly interest.

The oldest burial monuments at the site, nearly 6,800 years old, are astonishingly well-preserved due to being concealed beneath the soil for millennia, revealing only as subtle mounds.

A one-kilometer trail encircles the site, with signs primarily in French, although multilingual audio guides are available at the entrance.

It is advisable to commence your visit at the museum to gather contextual information before exploring these extraordinary megaliths.

11. La Vallée des Singes, Romagne

While it is unusual for a zoo to provide a unique experience, La Vallée des Singes achieves this distinction owing to its thoughtfully designed layout.

Dedicated to primates of various species, the park is landscaped within a shady forest setting.

Upon its opening in the 1970s, it became the first free-roaming primate park worldwide.

Visitors will often find themselves only separated by a small moat from species such as mountain gorillas.

In addition, smaller species are likely to be observed climbing or resting in the trees during your visit.

The park is home to a total of 32 species, with bonobos being particularly valued, as this facility boasts the largest population of this endangered species in the world.

12. Le Château des Énigmes, Pons

This innovative attraction offers a refreshing solution for families with children who may grow impatient at France’s beautiful yet often austere châteaux.

Adults can appreciate the architecture of this Italian Renaissance residence, recognized as a French national monument.

Enthusiastic staff members, dressed in period attire, coordinate various activities designed to engage children.

A pirate-themed treasure hunt takes place across the grounds, supplemented by interactive games and climbing structures that provide clues for participants.

Additionally, the estate includes a small farm where children can interact with ducks and goats.

13. Musé d’Angoulême

This esteemed museum adjacent to Angoulême Cathedral holds the prestigious designation of “Musée de France,” regarded as the gold standard for cultural institutions across the country.

The Musée d’Angoulême is celebrated for its art, ethnological, and archaeological exhibitions.

However, the most exhilarating finds originate from the Charente River basin, including the renowned Agris Helmet, an exceptional iron and bronze artifact adorned with intricately crafted gold leaf of outstanding purity.

This helmet, dating back to 350 BC, is a masterpiece of Celtic Art.

14. Chauvigny, Vienne

The charming town of Chauvigny, located along the Vienne River, boasts an impressive skyline crowned by the towers of five châteaux situated atop a rocky ridge.

This elevated area transforms Chauvigny into an open-air museum, featuring castles in various states of restoration along the same street.

One notable structure, the Donjon de Gouzon, offers a viewing platform with panoramic vistas of the river and surrounding countryside.

This site also includes a museum chronicling the history of the town’s industries, particularly its celebrated stone quarries, which supplied materials for the Louvre and Palais Garnier in Paris.

The Church of Saint-Pierre is a striking Romanesque edifice, and like many churches in Poitou-Charentes, it showcases exquisitely carved capitals in the choir, revered as masterpieces of high medieval art.

15. Saintes, Charente-Maritime

This historic city, which has been inhabited since Celtic times, has absorbed contributions from each successive civilization, contributing to its rich heritage.

The Roman period left an enduring legacy, evident in the well-preserved 1st-century amphitheater and the Arch of Germanicus, situated along the right bank of the Charente.

This river served as Saintes’ gateway to the world, facilitating the transport of salt, timber, and, of course, cognac to distant destinations.

In the medieval city center, the Cathedral of Saint-Pierre exemplifies the flamboyant Gothic style and possesses a unique history, having been ransacked by the Huguenots during the 16th-century Wars of Religion before its completion.