Autumn breaks in Poitou-Charentes

Poitou-Charentes is a richly diverse region which ranges from the vineyards of Cognac to the beaches on the Atlantic Coast, in the west of France. With mouth-watering gastronomy, interesting history and monuments, the new technologies of Futuroscope and an engaging landscape, Poitou-Charentes has all the ingredients for a fantastic trip this autumn.

Tree Houses in Parc de la Belle (parcdelabelle.com)
Parc de la Belle, located in the heart of Poitou-Charentes, near to Poitiers, invites guests to experience something a little bit ‘different’ and spend a night in a tree house! Their tree cabins have been built with a total regard to nature.

Guests can switch-off from the day-to-day and experience the cabins’ intimate ambiance – flickering candles and the sounds of the outdoors as compared to electric lights and TV! In the morning, breakfast is put at the foot of the cabin - so guests enjoy this on their own terrace. Le Parc de la Belle is set in a six acre hillside setting in the grounds of a historic 19th Century family estate.

The Town of Saintes
Saintes is a Gallo-Roman and Roman town rich with art and history. Saintes was built during the first century AD on the banks of the River Charente and is nestled in the southern part of the Poitou-Charentes region. With over two thousand years of history, Saintes dazzles visitors with its surprising beauty including the Roman vestiges of the amphitheatre, the arch of Germanicus on the Charente shores, treasures of Roman art like the Abbaye aux Dames and the crypt of Saint-Eutrope church.

Le Relais du Bois Saint-Georges**** (relaisdubois.com)
In the heart of Saintes, with its unique and unconventional style, is a true haven, and the hotel offers a large range of signature wellness treatments, from a team of professional therapists including sophrology, plantaire reflexology, massages, reflexology and aquagym.

Chambres d'hotes – Bed &Breakfast Accommodation

Logis du Puygaty (logisdepuygaty.com)
In the heart of the southern Charente, close to Angouleme, stands the Logis du Puygaty, a stately manor dating back to the fifteenth century. Once the home of an advisor to François I, the King of France during the Renaissance, today the Logis du Puygaty has been faithfully restored using local materials and the interior design has been interpreted with a contemporary twist.

Au 33 Rue Thiers (33-ruethiers.com)
In the heart of La Rochelle’s old town, this beautiful hotel, dating back to 1745 is a mix of tasteful modern architecture and history. It has an interior garden decorated with jasmine, bamboo and rose bushes, and inside, a marvelous marble fireplace. Au 33 rue Thiers is the ideal place to stay when visiting the town any time of year

Au Pays de Cocagne (aupaysdecocagne.com)
Au Pays de Cocagne is situated only steps away from the historical centre of Pons, a town not to be missed by lovers of old, historical buildings and the medieval period. Au Pays de Cocagne is full of character, with stained glass windows, refined decor, and a gorgeous garden.

Events

19th- 21st September 2008: Le Circuit des Remparts in Angoulême
(circuit-des-remparts.com)
Le Circuit des Remparts is the greatest show in the area! Every year, Angoulême hosts the largest European gathering of classic cars and opens the city centre to a mad automobile race. This is the best occasion to see Bugattis and other automotive giants zooming around the ramparts. This is not an event to be missed for any car lover!

4th - 11th October 2008: Jazz entre les deux tours in La Rochelle
(larochelle-jazz-festival.com)
This year is the eleventh of this popular jazz festival. Visitors can discover (or rediscover) the beautiful town of La Rochelle while listening to music.

Saint-Martin de Ré Citadel
In July 2008, Saint-Martin de Ré Citadel, on the Ile de Ré, was added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites. Consisting of thirteen groups of fortified buildings and sites, including the Saint-Martin de Ré ramparts. They represent the finest examples of the work of Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban (1633-1707), a military engineer of King Louis XIV. His works include towns built from scratch, citadels built on plains, urban bastion walls, towers and houses. There are also mountain forts, sea forts, a mountain battery and two mountain communication structures. St.Martin bears witness to the period that was the peak of classic fortifications, typical of western military architecture.

With its equitable climate, Poitou-Charentes - the sunniest part of western France - is an area where you can enjoy many attractions. Visitors may visit, for example, the famous and unique Marais Poitevin, also known as Venise Verte, which connects the Poitou and the Vendée; the historic port of La Rochelle with its fine restaurants and magnificent sites; Futuroscope – a theme park for the senses; Cognac, and Poitiers – the regional capital.

This is the perfect family holiday destination with a wealth of well run campsites, B&B’s, hotels and gîtes to choose from together with wide open spaces to enjoy activities which range from golf to water-sports.

For further information on all of the above, log on to Poitou-charentes-vacances.com.