Poitou-Charentes

Poitou-Charentes is part of the Nouvelle Aquitaine region of France’s Atlantic coast, offering a wealth of sites showcasing medieval, Renaissance and Roman history, quaint villages and cultural experiences. In La Rochelle, visitors can explore St Nicholas Tower, which dates to the 14th century and overlooks the Vieux Port historic harbor. The islands of Île de Ré and Île d’Oléron offer plenty of fishing villages with outstanding seafood dining. The regional capital is Poitiers, a hilltop city that dates to Roman times.

The Futuroscope theme park is an ultramodern, high-tech attraction that offers thrill rides and virtual reality experiences in 3D and 4D. La Rochelle Aquarium offers visitors the chance to see native and exotic sea life up close. At La Vallée Des Singes, visitors can walk through a lush canopy populated by bonobos, gorillas and squirrel monkeys. For a walk back in time, the Abbey of Saint-Savin is a medieval monastic church filled with period murals, while Fort Boyard offers the opportunity to explore a Napoleonic sea fort from the 19th century.