Short break ideas and weekend break ideas in Poitou-Charentes
Need a few days R&R? Then head to Poitou-Charentes for the perfect short break to suit your mood. Choose from lively towns, sandy beaches, gorgeous romantic chateaux or something a little more active.
A TASTE OF TOWN LIFE
Want some short break ideas to grab a bite of French life? You’ll definitely find it in one of the following towns. Each is full of atmosphere, with plenty of things to see and do and of course, great cafes and restaurants to enjoy delcious food and a bottle - or two – of very fine wine! Great for a weekend break.
Angoulême - short break ideas
A lovely hillside town that’s full of character and known for its lively nightlife but before you hit the tiles, take in the gorgeous views of the countryside and the Charente river from the boulevards above the old city walls (remparts), before strolling through the cobbled streets of the old town, past medieval buildings that are now home to a variety of interesting shops plus excellent cafés and restaurants (from modern French to Moroccan, Italian and even Indian). Amongst the interesting ecclesiastical architecture is the Cathedrale St-Pierre was first built in the 12th century – make sure you see the façade depicting the Last Judgement.
As for museums, don’t miss the recently revamped eclectic Musée des Beaux-Arts exhibits include paintings, archaeological finds, objects from the everyday life of Angoulême 1,000 years ago and the complete reconstruction of a beautiful 19th century salon. Then there’s the Musée de la Bande Dessinée in a renovated paper mill boasts the world's largest collection of film cartoons and comic strips. Audio guides are available in English.
The city is also known for its festivals including Circuit Des Remparts held every September which sees vintage cars racing through the town and the International Comics Festival each January.
Nearby: The medieval town of Cognac with its narrow cobbled streets that are a mix of medieval stone as well as more elegant Renaissance facades. By the river are the many chais, old warehouses that have for many hundreds years stored barrels of maturing cognac, and through which you can take a guided tour. Saintes, on the river Charente, is known for its Roman remains including a vast amphitheatre built for gladiatorial combats, and busy Monday market. The impressive chateau at La Rochefoucauld has, despite the French Revolution, belonged to the La Rochefoucauld family for 1,000 years.
Details: Angouleme-Cognac airport is a 20 minute minute drive away, and the TGV from Paris takes a little under two hours. Search for hotels and bed and breakfast in Angoulême.
Poitiers - short break and weekend break ideas
Soak up the history as you meander through winding streets flanked by centuries-old architecture and half-timbered houses and full of great little boutique shops, busy restaurants and pavement cafés – for the latter make for place Charles-de-Gaulle (there’s a market there every morning until lunchtime too). Take a picnic to the Parc de Blossac and watch old men play the traditional game of boules. Poitiers is a university town so it is almost always full of students which gives it a bustling mood.
Eleanor of Aquitaine, the wife of England’s Henry II, is strongly associated with Poitiers, having lived here and fortified the town and some of the town’s architectural gems date back to her time including the Notre-Dame-la-Grade church built during her time is considered one of the most amazing in France.
Nearby: the high-tech film and science theme park Futuroscope with its towering cinema pavilions is set in landscaped, fountain-filled gardens (the latter are the focus of a sunset laser show). Then there’s the market town of Chauvigny which a huge and bustling market on Saturdays on the river bank. Above it, in the old town, are five medieval castles to explore as well as the brightly painted St Pierre church. In the main square restaurants that are both popular. The Marais Poitevin, a scenic network of canals lined with poplars that’s also known as ‘Little Venice’, is a great place to cycle.
Details: Poitiers airport is just a short drive away from the centre of town and the TGV from Paris takes about 90 minutes. Search for hotels and bed and breakfast in Poitiers
La Rochelle - short break ideas
One of France’s loveliest seaside towns with an ambience that is vraiment French. Down by the harbour, reached from the main part of town through a huge Gothic gateway, the seafront is full of bustling seafood restaurants – make sure you try the oysters which are framed in the area - bars and cafes, and on warm nights the seafront is filled with stall-holders and performing artists.
Stretching back from the harbour are a myriad of seventeenth and eighteenth century streets that are now pedestrianised and filled with small shops selling everything from fashion to delicious pastries, books and antiques. Architectural highlights include the Hotel de Ville which was started around 1600 during the reign of Henri IV and Hotel de la Bourse, built in the eighteenth century.
As well as a variety of museums, the town is famous for its aquarium that has 10,000 species on display.
Nearby: The island of Ile de Re with its sandy beaches and charming villages of whitewashed houses and painted shutters is across a three kilometre long bridge. Ile de Oléron, France’s second largest island with its sandy beaches and Le Marais aux Oiseux bird park can be seen on a day-trip.
Details: La Rochelle airport is 10 minutes from the centre and the TGV from Paris takes about two-two-and-a-half hours. Search for hotels and bed and breakfast in La Rochelle.
LIFE’S A SANDY BEACH!
If your idea of a relaxing short break or weekend is a few days spent on a sandy beach, then here’s where you need to head for.
L'île de Ré - short break ideas
For a stylish beach break then this island, known as the French Hamptons and the St Tropez of the Atlantic, is definitely the place to lay your Christian Dior towel. Just off the coast of La Rochelle and accessible by a bridge (once it was only a ferry), the island boasts mile after mile of sandy beaches and pretty villages of whitewashed walls and painted shutters. If you like to cycle, then with 50 miles of paths, you have no excuse not to slip into your shorts. You can also go horse-riding as well as take to the water for water skiing, surfing and sailing.
There are a number of boutique hotels, including some with a spa, and oyster-lovers will be in heaven as the shellfish are a speciality of the area and can be found in many of the excellent restaurants.
As well as exploring the island with its 12th century abbey, and for a taste of French seaside town life la Rochelle is close by.
Details: Fly to La Rochelle airport. The TGV from Paris to La Rochelle take about two-two-and-a-half hours. Search for hotels and bed and breakfast in l'île de Ré.
L'île d'Oléron
France’s largest island after Corsica is not as uber-stylish as l'île de Ré but with an interior of towering pine forests and atmospheric muddy banks hung with oyster nets, as well as unspoilt French villages, it has a charm of its own.
The western coast of the island which faces out to the Atlantic ocean – next stop new York as the locals like to say! - is La Côte Sauvage while on the eastern side, facing La Rochelle the waves are less strong.
It’s not far to the beach from any one of the main towns that include St Pierre and Le Chateau, and it is here that you will find most of the hotels as well as restaurants and bars. When not basking in the sun, there are many kilometres of mainly flat parts on which to cycle, and other activities include surfing and snorkelling, deep sea fishing, sailing and paragliding.
Details: Fly to La Rochelle airport and from there it takes about an hour to drive the island. The TGV from Paris to La Rochelle take about two-and-a-half hours. Search for hotels and bed and breakfast in L'île d'Oléron
And then there are...
Romantic châteaux: If you’re after a romantic short break (and where better than France?) how about a few nights in a luxury château? The Poitou-Charentes is full of beautiful and atmospheric chateaux hotels which offer not only luxurious surroundings, both traditional and modern, but also some of the best food and wine in the region. And whichever one you choose, you’re bound to be near an interesting town or pretty village to tempt you away from your home away form home. Search for châteaux in the Poitou-Charentes.
Sporty fun: the Poitou-Charentes is a great place for an activity short break. If pitting yourself against a small whtie ball is your thing, choose from one of the 21 excellent golf courses, many of them set amongst the rolling hills of the beautiful French countryside.
For something a little more active, take to a bike and cycle along some of the 1000km or so paths that show you a range of scenery from gently rolling hills, along the sea coast and by gently flowing rivers. If you prefer to be on the water, hire a boat and float down the Charente river, considered one of the most beautiful in France.
Words: Rachel Loos
Photograph: Fotolia.com