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POITOU CHARENTES
Ancient fortifications bear witness to the power struggles this historic region has seen down the centuries.
Foreign influences can be detected in the distinctive local architecture from the splendid Roman ruins of Saintes to the Moorish columns of the church of Notre-Dame-la-Grande in Poitiers and Romanesque features of the churches. Stout defences protect the Charente Maritime ports of La Rochelle and Rochefort, which look out to the sea towards the islands of Oloron and the Île de Ré, accessible by road bridge. At Brouage, once capital of the local salt trade, visitors survey a landscape of tidal lagoons and oyster beds from the turreted ramparts. North, towards the Vendée, lies the Marais Poitevin a watery paradise centred on Coulon, where punts can be hired to explore the `Venise Verte' or cruise the River Sèvre. From here it is a short journey upstream to Niort, once a medieval port. South, Marennes sits at the mouth of the Seudre a vast tidal expanse producing a type of oyster named after the town. Forests back the beautiful Atlantic coastline, criss-crossed by cycle tracks and stretching down past La Palmyre to Royan and the Gironde estuary, where the lovely village of Talmont stands guard. Inland, the flat countryside gives way to wooded hills. North-east lies the regional capital Poitiers and Futuroscope theme park. Near Chauvigny, the lovely Château de Touffou stands in gardens overlooking the River Vienne and Angles-sur-Anglin enjoys a delightful riverside setting. Below here, the winding Charente links bustling Angoulême and the world famous distillery town of Cognac, before flowing north at Saintes to head for Rochefort and the sea. Pleasant Aubeterre-sur-Dronne is worth a detour to the south.
main pic La Rochelle
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