One of France's off-the-beaten track destinations, the Poitou-Charentes embodies many of the qualities that Americans appreciate most about France with fascinating historical sites, a rich gastronomical heritage, stunning natural beauty and quaint villages.
Replica of the Hermione Frigate
This year, the Poitou-Charentes is hosting one of France's most exciting ventures: the launch of the replica of the Hermione Frigate, the ship that brought the Marquis de Lafayette & French reinforcements to join the American troops during the Revolutionary War. Crossing the Atlantic in Lafayette's footsteps, the Hermione is projected to set sail in April 2015 & will be docked in Annapolis, Newport, New York and Boston before returning to Rochefort in August 2015.Rich culinary heritage
Visitors to the Poitou-Charentes have the opportunity to savor some of France's best food and wine offerings. Though most Americans are familiar with cognac, few know where this renowned alcohol is actually produced. Cognac country, located in the southern part of Poitou-Charentes, is blessed with the perfect combination of climate, soil and Atlantic influence that gives the spirit its unique flavor. The celebrated cognac houses Otard, Camus, Hennessy, Martell, Rémy-Martin and Courvoisier can be found here and all offer guided tours of their cellars and vineyards. The region is also known for its delectable oysters. The oyster parks of the Marennes-Oléron basin produce some 60,000 tons of shellfish every year, almost half the total French production. And what would be a French region without its iconic cheese. The Route du Chabichou et des Fromages de Chèvre winds for some 200 km across the northern half of the region, linking producers who actively welcome visitors.Charming villages
There are many attractive small communities nestled in amongst the sunflowers and vineyards of Poitou-Charentes, but six of them are particularly special. They have been classified among Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, an elite band of around 155 utterly delectable villages that have to comply with a list of stringent criteria. The villages are: Ars-en-Ré, La-Flotte-en-Ré, Mornac-sur-Seudre, Talmont, Aubeterre-sur-Dronne and Angles-sur-l’Anglin.The Marais Poitevin
Also known as 'Green Venice', the Marais Poitevin is the second largest temperate zone wetland in France and the fifth in Europe. Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the town of Niort in Deux- Sèvres, these famous marshlands are blessed with a particularly agreeable climate. The Marais Poitevin is vast - over 222,300 acres (90,000 hectares) of green intersected by thousands of canals. Explore on foot, by fishing boat or canoe, by bicycle, in a carriage or on horseback.A family destination
Families will delight in the region's myriad child-friendly options. The Futuroscope, France's second largest attraction park, features: films in giant format, thrill-filled attractions, 3D rides with 4D effects, games, live shows, open-air activities, and more. For animal lovers, the Poitou-Charentes boasts the Vallée des Singes, a primate park with gorillas, chimpanzees, lemurs and dwarf monkeys and a world-class aquarium in La Rochelle.
