Gites in Poitou Charentes South West France

Towns in Poitou Charentes

Whilst you are on holiday in Poitou Charentes, you may like to visit some of its towns - each with their own unique history and attractions. Read below for our short guide to Angouleme, Poitiers, Niort, Marais Poievein, Melle, Cognac, Rochefort and La Rochelle.

Angouleme

From its lofty promontory Angouleme's stately upper town overlooks the Charente River. Its shady streets and squares with restaurants make it an ideal place to visit for shopping. It is the capital of the departement of the Charente and is well known for the National Centre of Comics and Image.

Poitiers

Sitting on a hilltop overlooking two rivers, Poitiers is a country town with a unique charm that comes from a long and sometimes influential history - as the seat of the dukes ofAquitaine, for instance - discernible in the winding lines of the streets and the breadth of civic, domestic and ecclesiastical architectural fashions represented in its buildings. Its pedestrian precincts, restaurants and pavement cafés - and some wonderful central gardens - make for comfortable sightseeing. Poitiers was originally founded by the Pictones tribe. Poitiers was the capital of Poitou the region governed by the Counts of Poitou. The Battle of Poitiers was fought in 1356, during the Hundred Years War. An earlier battle, the first decisive Christian victory over Muslims was also fought here on Oct 10 th 732. King Charles VII established the University of Poitiers in 1432.

Niort

The most interesting part of the town is the mainly pedestrian area around rue Victor-Hugo and rue St-Jean , full of stone-fronted or half-timbered medieval houses. Coming from the gare SNCF , take rue de la Gare as far as avenue de Verdun with the tourist office and main post office on the corner, then turn right into place de la Brèche. Rue Ricard leaves the square on the left; rue Victor-Hugo is its continuation, following the line of the medieval market in a gully separating the two small hills on which Niort is built. Up to the right, opposite the end of rue St-Jean, is the old town hall , a triangular building of the early sixteenth century with lantern, belfry and ornamental machicolations, perhaps capable of repelling drunken revellers but no match for catapult or sledgehammer.

At the end of the street is the river, the Sèvre Niortaise , with gardens and trees along the bank and, over the bridge, the ruins of a glove factory, the last vestige of Niort's once thriving leather industry. At the time of the Revolution, it kept more than thirty cavalry regiments in breeches. Today Niort's biggest industry is insurance: the most bourgeois town in France, so it's said, because of the prosperity brought by the large number of major insurance firms making their headquarters here. Accordingly, restaurants are usually packed at lunchtime, and well-heeled shoppers throng the pedestrianized streets, giving a fairly lively - if affluent - feel.

Just downstream, opposite a riverside car park, is the market hall and, beyond, vast and unmistakable on a slight rise, the keep of a castle begun by Henry II of England. Now housing a museum (daily except Tues 9am-noon & 2-5/6pm; €3, free Wed), it displays mainly local furniture and an extraordinary variety of costumes that were still commonly worn in the villages until the beginning of the twentieth century.

Marais Poievein

It is worth taking a boat on the maze of mysterious canals that make up the Marais Poitevin. Between the creeks and waterways, canals and locks, there are countless cycle tracks and paths all of them designed to fit seamlessly into the great expanse of silent greenery. Landing stages, the point of departure for boat trips are to be found in small villages such as Arcais, Coulon, La Garette-Sansais etc

Melle

Melle is an ancient town which has traditional French architecture, some dating back before the 17th century. The rural atmosphere can be experienced nowhere better than at the weekly market (every Friday), selling fresh vegetables, meat, bread, cheeses and many other French delicacies, as well as clothing and household goods. The area surrounding Melle is full of Romanesque châteaux, mills, fountains and wash houses. There are forests of chestnut, walnut and parasol pines. Melle is the site of the oldest silver mine in Europe still open to the public. The mine itself is some 20 km long, and visitors can explore 350 m of it, with guided tours each day.

Cognac

Unknown prior to the 9th century, the town was subsequently fortified. During theHundred Years War, the town changed sides on several occasions as the result of fighting and treaties in the region.

Francis I granted the town the right to trade salt along the river, guaranteeing strong commercial success, which in turn led to the town's development as a centre of wine and later brandy.

Cognac is a brandy, which is produced in the region surrounding the town. It must be made from at least 90 percent Ugni Blanc Folle Blanche, or Columbard grapes. The rest of the cognac can consist of ten selected grapes. However, most cognac is made from Ugni Blanc only. It must be distilled twice in copper pot stills and aged at least 2 and 1/2 years in oak barrels in order to be called cognac.

Rochefort

Rochefort was built as a port to provide a sanctuary for the French fleet from the English. Colbert chose the site, 22kms up the Charente river, in 1665 and seven years later under the supervision of Vauban a new harbour for the French navy was complete. For many years it rivalled Toulon and Brest. The increased draught of modern vessels led to the closing down of the harbour in 1926. The old rope making factory for French navy is now a museum and the frigate L'Hermione is being reconstructed in one of the dry docks.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle was one of the first places in France where the Reformation took hold, becoming known as the 'French Geneva'. It was the centre of Protestantism until the siege of La Rochelle in 1628 by Richlieu.

It is a lively place much frequented by artists but still retains that slightly secretive air characteristic of those French towns laid out on classical lines. Around the old port, famous for its towers, can be found a wonderful selection of sea food restaurants and in the summer one can sit and enjoy a meal while watching the goings on among the boats. The aquarium is famous throughout Europe and its shopping arcades are a must for any visitor.

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Towns in Poitou Charentes Whilst you are on holiday in Poitou Charentes, you may like to visit some of its towns - each with their own unique history and attractions. Read below for our short guide to Angouleme, Poitiers, Niort, Marais Poievein, Melle, Cognac, Rochefort and La Rochelle. Angouleme From its lofty promontory Angouleme's stately upper town overlooks the Charente River. Its shady streets and squares with restaurants make it an ideal place to visit for shopping. It is the capital of the departement of the Charente and is well known for the National Centre of Comics and Image. Poitiers Sitting on a hilltop overlooking two rivers, Poitiers is a country town with a unique charm that comes from a long and sometimes influential history - as the seat of the dukes ofAquitaine, for instance - discernible in the winding lines of the streets and the breadth of civic, domestic and ecclesiastical architectural fashions represented in its buildings. Its pedestrian precincts, restaurants and pavement cafés - and some wonderful central gardens - make for comfortable sightseeing. Poitiers was originally founded by the Pictones tribe. Poitiers was the capital of Poitou the region governed by the Counts of Poitou. The Battle of Poitiers was fought in 1356, during the Hundred Years War. An earlier battle, the first decisive Christian victory over Muslims was also fought here on Oct 10 th 732. King Charles VII established the University of Poitiers in 1432. Niort The most interesting part of the town is the mainly pedestrian area around rue Victor-Hugo and rue St-Jean , full of stone-fronted or half-timbered medieval houses. Coming from the gare SNCF , take rue de la Gare as far as avenue de Verdun with the tourist office and main post office on the corner, then turn right into place de la Brèche. Rue Ricard leaves the square on the left; rue Victor-Hugo is its continuation, following the line of the medieval market in a gully separating the two small hills on which Niort is built. Up to the right, opposite the end of rue St-Jean, is the old town hall , a triangular building of the early sixteenth century with lantern, belfry and ornamental machicolations, perhaps capable of repelling drunken revellers but no match for catapult or sledgehammer. At the end of the street is the river, the Sèvre Niortaise , with gardens and trees along the bank and, over the bridge, the ruins of a glove factory, the last vestige of Niort's once thriving leather industry. At the time of the Revolution, it kept more than thirty cavalry regiments in breeches. Today Niort's biggest industry is insurance: the most bourgeois town in France, so it's said, because of the prosperity brought by the large number of major insurance firms making their headquarters here. Accordingly, restaurants are usually packed at lunchtime, and well-heeled shoppers throng the pedestrianized streets, giving a fairly lively - if affluent - feel. Just downstream, opposite a riverside car park, is the market hall and, beyond, vast and unmistakable on a slight rise, the keep of a castle begun by Henry II of England. Now housing a museum (daily except Tues 9am-noon & 2-5/6pm; €3, free Wed), it displays mainly local furniture and an extraordinary variety of costumes that were still commonly worn in the villages until the beginning of the twentieth century. Marais Poievein It is worth taking a boat on the maze of mysterious canals that make up the Marais Poitevin. Between the creeks and waterways, canals and locks, there are countless cycle tracks and paths all of them designed to fit seamlessly into the great expanse of silent greenery. Landing stages, the point of departure for boat trips are to be found in small villages such as Arcais, Coulon, La Garette-Sansais etc Melle Melle is an ancient town which has traditional French architecture, some dating back before the 17th century. The rural atmosphere can be experienced nowhere better than at the weekly market (every Friday), selling fresh vegetables, meat, bread, cheeses and many other French delicacies, as well as clothing and household goods. The area surrounding Melle is full of Romanesque châteaux, mills, fountains and wash houses. There are forests of chestnut, walnut and parasol pines. Melle is the site of the oldest silver mine in Europe still open to the public. The mine itself is some 20 km long, and visitors can explore 350 m of it, with guided tours each day. Cognac Unknown prior to the 9th century, the town was subsequently fortified. During theHundred Years War, the town changed sides on several occasions as the result of fighting and treaties in the region. Francis I granted the town the right to trade salt along the river, guaranteeing strong commercial success, which in turn led to the town's development as a centre of wine and later brandy. Cognac is a brandy, which is produced in the region surrounding the town. It must be made from at least 90 percent Ugni Blanc Folle Blanche, or Columbard grapes. The rest of the cognac can consist of ten selected grapes. However, most cognac is made from Ugni Blanc only. It must be distilled twice in copper pot stills and aged at least 2 and 1/2 years in oak barrels in order to be called cognac. Rochefort Rochefort was built as a port to provide a sanctuary for the French fleet from the English. Colbert chose the site, 22kms up the Charente river, in 1665 and seven years later under the supervision of Vauban a new harbour for the French navy was complete. For many years it rivalled Toulon and Brest. The increased draught of modern vessels led to the closing down of the harbour in 1926. The old rope making factory for French navy is now a museum and the frigate L'Hermione is being reconstructed in one of the dry docks. La Rochelle La Rochelle was one of the first places in France where the Reformation took hold, becoming known as the 'French Geneva'. It was the centre of Protestantism until the siege of La Rochelle in 1628 by Richlieu. It is a lively place much frequented by artists but still retains that slightly secretive air characteristic of those French towns laid out on classical lines. Around the old port, famous for its towers, can be found a wonderful selection of sea food restaurants and in the summer one can sit and enjoy a meal while watching the goings on among the boats. The aquarium is famous throughout Europe and its shopping arcades are a must for any visitor. 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