Travel - how to get to Poitou-Charentes
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How to get to Poitou-Charentes – by Plane, Ferry, Train
One of the advantages of going on holiday to Poitou-Charentes is that it is a relatively easy place to get to, whether by flying or taking the ferry, car or train. It is easily, and quickly, accessible whichever form of transport you choose to take.
By Plane
Poitou-Charentes is well-served by airports - a direct flight from eleven cities in Britain will see you touching down at a regional airport (there are six in or close to the Poitou-Charentes) in about two hours. There are more flights during the summer months but even during autumn and winter, there are regular flights during the week and at weekends.
Bordeaux’s international Merignac airport is just outside the Poitou-Charentes and is where many overseas scheduled and charter flights land. You can fly direct from Barcelona, Madrid and Ibiza. From the city you can drive into the region – less than an hour away - or take the TGV to Poitiers, Angoulême and La Rochelle (between 30 minutes to an hour)
Flight details…
From London Stansted fly to Angoulême (nb these flights were suspended in 2010 until further notice), Poitiers, La Rochelle, Limoges and Tours with Ryanair. Easyjet flies from Gatwick to La Rochelle
From Liverpool fly to Limoges with Ryanair and to Bordeaux with Easyjet.
From Birmingham fly to Poitiers with Ryanair; to La Rochelle with Flybe
From Bristol fly to Limoges with Ryanair; to La Rochelle and Bordeaux with Easyjet
From East Midlands fly to Limoges with Ryanair
From Edinburgh fly to Limoges with Ryanair and Flybe; to Poitiers with Ryanair; to La Rochelle and Bordeaux with Flybe
From Glasgow fly to La Rochelle, Bordeaux and Limoges with Flybe
From Bournemouth fly to Limoges with Ryanair
From Manchester fly to La Rochelle, Bordeaux and Limoges with Flybe
From Newcastle fly to La Rochelle and Limoges with Flybe
From Southampton to La Rochelle, Bordeaux and Limoges with Flybe
Contacts:
Ryanair
Flybe
Easyjet
Air France
By Train
The very fast and efficient TGV skims its way through the French countryside between Paris and three train stations in the Poitou-Charentes – Poitiers, Angouleme and La Rochelle. The journey takes between 90 minutes (to Poitiers) to two-and-half hours (La Rochelle). Trains leave from Gare Montparnasse.
If you’re travelling on Eurostar from London, you can change at Lille where you need only walk a short distance to another platform. This journey is longer by up to 90 minutes than if you come via Paris but if you have a lot of luggage is more convenient.
If you change at Paris you will need to travel between Gare du Nord and Gare Montparnasse. The metro is quite quick – allow 30 minutes though as it’s a bit of a walk between the SNCF and metro at Montparnasse. There are often queues at Gare du Nord for taxis. The metro is a good option if you’re not lugging very heavy suitcases. Contacts SNCF
By Ferry
If you prefer to drive, from a ferry port in northern France it’s a scenic five to six hour journey to the region rather than a cross-country marathon to the Med. For more on ferry routes between Britain and France, see Ferry to France