The Poitou-Charentes region of France: a popular destination since prehistoric times
May 5, 2008
Poitou-Charentes still enchants visitors to France with its ancient history, rose gardens, seaside and islands.
The Poitou-Charentes region of France is in the western center of France, between the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Loire country to the north, Limousin and the Centre regions to the east and Aquitaine to the south. Formerly the provinces of Poitou, Angoumois, Saintonge and Aunis, this part of France became an administrative area under Vichy and now includes 4 departments: Charente (16), the Charente-Maritime (17), Deux-Sevres (79) and Vienna (86). Poitou-Charentes sits on 25,810 km2 and is home to 1,640,068 inhabitants. The town of Poitiers is the area’s prefecture, or capital.
Poitou-Charentes is a land full of history, traditions and legends. Inhabited by man since the paleolithic era (confirmed by the discovery in the area of the bones of a young Neanderthal), Poitou-Charentes also saw the Romans leave their traces there, as well as the English Saxons who dominated these provinces starting in 1154 following the marriage between Aliéna of Aquitaine and the English king Henry Plantagenêt.
The architectural heritage of Poitou-Charentes is composed mainly of the monuments that mark out the pilgrim road to Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle (such as the old medieval town of Parthenay), of the religious monuments dominated by the Romanesque art (like the Eglise des Saintes, l’Abbaye aux Dames and the murals of Saint-Savin, Chauvigny, Lichères and Civray), the many castles which strew the area (such as Marconnay and the castle of Crazannes, Panloy and Douhet), as well as fortifications set up to protect La Rochelle and Rochefort (Enet, Fouras and Lupin).
In Poitou-Charentes, old legends tell the story of the area as well its historic monuments do. Some of these fairy-tales have been around unchanged for hundreds of years, such as the legend of the fairy Mélusine, who made the castles and fortresses appear by magic in the Middle Ages, and the legend of Grand’ Goule, a fantastic half-snake, half-dragon mythical creature.
Old cultural traditions are also preserved in Poitou-Charentes and still give the cities and villages their rhythm. Colorful and picturesque markets still play a dynamic role in the economy of the area. Sporting events, theatre, folkloric presentations and art exhibits add to the life of the region. Festivals of all kinds are also a feature of the cultural activity of Poitou-Charentes: “Francofolies” in La Rochelle, the Festival of Confolens, the Festival of Humor and Saltwater in Saint George de Didonne and even a festival dedicated to the Comic Strip in Angouleme.
The Poitou-Charentes region also boast many fine museums that celebrate the history of this part of France, such as the museum of Beaux Arts in Poitiers, a museum of country traditions in Ranton, and an ecology museum in Migron.
Poitou-Charentes boasts a landscape as avariedas any in France, that invites exploration. With more than 450 km of magnificent coastline, alternating long sandy beaches and limestone cliffs, seaside resorts and wilderness areas, Poitou-Charentes owes much of its attraction to its waterfront property. The softness of its climate and the beauty of its environment make it great for both sightseeing and visits to its hydrotherapy spas. The islands of the Poitou-Charentes are particularly famous, like the Ile d’Oléron, the largest, with its view of Fort Boyard, and the Ile de Ré. Both are connected to the continent by a bridge. The rustic Ile d’Aix, however, is accessible only by boat, and cars are forbidden, as is the case on the Ile Madame.
The Estuary of the Girondeoffers the charm of its seaside villages such as Mortagne-sur-Gironde or Saint-Thomas-de-Conac, and of the unexpected caves dotting its cliffs. The principal cities of this part of the area are: the old fisherman’s village of La Rochelle, characterized by its maritime themes (see the giant Aquarium) and its fortifications which still overhang the old port; Rochefort, town of art and history which was formerly an arsenal and is now famous for its thermal spas; Royan, a seaside resort which offers five beaches and is the capital of the coast. In the back country of Poitou-Charentes, nature holds many surprises, from the immense pine forests which line the coast, to the foothills of Saintonges and Charentes full of wild orchids and vines, to the ore-rich Poitevin Marsh. This last natural site, between Niort and the Atlantic, is very special feature specific to the Poitou-Charentes region. Nicknamed “Green Venice”, its luxuriant landscape is crisscrossed by hundreds of canals where thousands of birds take refuge. The natural riches of Poitou-Charentes are protected in nature reserves such as that of Pinail in Vienna, Niges in Charentes-Maritime, and the Marshes of Yves. Parks and gardens wend their way throughout all the area. For example the “Arboretum of Discovery” in Melle, offers visitors the spectacle of 250 species of rosebushes and thousands of trees. The “Gardens of the World” in Royan allows for strolls as enchanting as any Poitou-Charentes legend.
Lastly, the interior of the country is home to multitudede of valleys, one more pleasing than the other. The valley of Charente for example, is particularly appreciated for river tours and offers to those drifting by on slow barges a leisurely look at historic treasures such as beautiful castles and churches. The Valley of Thouet is distinguished by its bright fields of sunflowers and its historical heritage. Not to mention the valley of Vienna, and the valley of Gartempe and Anglin, inhabited since prehistory and today let visitors voyage through time. The valleys of Dronne and Boutonne are remarkable for their softness and calm, while the valleys of Clain and Vonne are ideal for sports. This part of Poitou-Charentes has three major cities. First up is Niort, located at the doors of the Poitevin marsh, traversed by the Sèvre and marked out by bridges.
Niort is a particularly pleasant city for lingering and long walks, with its parks and its old historic streets. Then there is Angouleme, old city known throughout Europe for its famous Festival of the Comic Strip. It has interesting museums like the Museum of Art Schools and the Museum of Paper. Last but not least is Poitiers, the old capital of Poitou, town of art and history. Poitiers has a remarkable architectural heritage, as can be seen at a glance at the Notre-Dame-la-Grande Church and the Saint-Pierre cathedral. It is also famous for its theme park, the “Futuroscope”, its 20 attractions devoted to imagination, sensation and discovery.
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