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Within easy travelling distance of the ancient cities of Poitiers, Niort, Cognac & Angouleme
there is a wealth of history waiting to be discovered . La Rochelle & the coast are about an hour away again full of both ancient & modern history being a major submarine port during the second world war indeed it was the last French city to be freed .
 
 
         

 
POITIERS
           

 

With 2000 years of history, dozens of monuments,
impressive medieval streets and beautiful boulevards & parks,
Poitiers boasts a rich and fascinating heritage & claims to be one of Frances foremost centres of romanesque architecture visitors can wander through the town centre following the coloured markings that link the most prestigious historic buildings

But the city has more to offer than just memories. Trendy cafés, cool bars and a lively student crowd keep it young and vibrant.

 

                   Saint-Maixent-L'Ecole

 

              

 

The town was founded in the 5th century by the monk Agapit. Its old streets, medieval houses and magnificent abbey church deserve the interest of visitors.
The town, Denfert Rochereau's homeland, benefits from a long military history.
Its academy trains a big part of Non-Commisioned Officers of the French Army.
Saint-Maixent-L'Ecole area, presents many facilities for industry and craft.
The town, near the Marais Poitevin and the Atlantic Ocean , is the starting-point of many tourist tours in Haut Val de Sèvre allowing you to enjoy marvellous forests, walks along the Sèvre Niortaise river, discovery of many historic and prehistoric sites.Also here is the Non-Commisioned Officers museum (le musée des Sous-Officiers). It is located in the surroundings of former barracks, "caserne Marchand", themselves located in the ancient castle place. It is a beautiful museum for those who love "the Army" and history.

 

Futuroscope 

 

 

           

 

                            

 Located just outside Poitiers  Futuroscope is a giant 53 hectare-theme park  with a difference. With 3-D cinemas, giant screens and interactive attractions, the park offers visitors numerous exhibits and shows using the latest audio-visual technologies.

This space-age park, which features futuristic architecture including silver spheres and crystal cubes, has more than 20 high-tech attractions

. These include DEEP SEA 3D, a chance for visitors to journey down to the great depths of the blue sea with professional divers & the nightly Le Miroir d’Uranie  show with spectacular light, water and music displays

 

 Celles-sur-Belle

       

 

 

The Royal Abbey and Notre-Dame, Former Abbey of the twelfth century were partly destroyed during the wars of religion in 1568.
. Rebuilt during the second half of the seventeenth century by the architect Francis  the Duke of Tuscany, the two buildings form an architectural challenge You can stroll in the parks and discover the gardens, the garden parish, the mill and our garden theme (in 2007 the theme was plants and edible flowers).
Cet édifice ouvre ses portes dans le cadre d'organisation de séminaires prestiges (pour entreprises) ou de manifestations familiales ou autres (pour les particuliers). The building opened its doors in the framework of seminars luxuary (for companies) or family or other events (for individuals).
L'Abbaye Royale est aussi un lieu culturel de grande importance et incontournable en Poitou-Charentes. L'Abbaye Royale is also a place of great cultural importance and indispensable in Poitou-Charentes

 

 

 

For the more up to date there is, of course, Futuroscope the space age science park.

Close by are ancient silver mines,Romanesque churches, the historic abbey of Celles sur Belles the forest of Chize and its zoo and the Marais Poitevin ( Green Venice ) with fishing, boating, walks and cycling. For the children there are several places offering swimming , boating, archery, horseriding etc

 

                 

                                   NIORT

Discover a town of many different aspects and fall under its charm
In Niort, the gateway of the Marais Poitevin, you can enjoy peaceful strolls or bicycle rides along the "green corridor", along the banks of the Sèvre Niortaise river and all around the town on the 3rd Millennium walk.
In its heart, the city holds a rich heritage built throughout the ages. The oldest building is the keep built by Richard the Lion Heart.
This creative spirit, which can be found in artistic events, sports meetings and commercial events makes Niort a festive town all year long

 

 

 

The Marais Poitevin

 

 

            

      

 

The Marais Poitevin  also known as  (Green Venice) is  a remnant of the former Gulf of Poitou. With a surface area of 970 km², it is the largest marsh on the Atlantic coast and the second largest of the whole country.    
You can hire a traditional barque, which is a form of punting from several 'embarcadères' around the area . The many canals are covered in green 'weed' (hence the nickname ) and the drained marsh land is home to a varied fauna, best seen from the boats
The Marais Poitevin is also the most important area of angelica cultivation in France.

 

COGNAC

 

          

 

                               

Cognac is a city most famous for its high quality brandy. It is situated on the banks of the River Charente , and is an enchanting place to visit all year round. You can spend the day walking through many  famous name distillieries like Remy Martn & Hennessey or just stroll around the narrow medieval cobbled streets and elegant Renaissance facades of this beautiful town.

 

 

The vallee de singes

 

 

                                

                         

France’s only major park devoted to monkeys where you can stroll through the park getting close to the animals & , if you are lucky , help to feed them..

 

 

MELLE

Melle was founded in the reign of Charlemagne, became important because of its silver mines and developed in the twelfth century as a stopping point on a pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostela. This lively little town has a wealth of medieval houses and 3 beautiful Romanesque churches .  Those wanting to stretch their legs further can take the 6km ‘Aboretum, Chemin de la Decouverte’ themed walks along what was once as a railway track past over 1000 different trees and shrubs and many roses

 

 

THE SILVER MINES

Melle silver mines were once the site of the French mint, producing coins known as Deniers between the fifth and tenth centuries. By the eighteenth century, the mines had fallen out of use. Today, this site of the oldest silver mine in Europe is a tourist attraction with guided tours of part of its 20km long galleries each day offering fascinating information on geology and Carolingian methods of mining and minting.